People looking for new friends ( Meet up groups)

[girlfriend44]

Have noticed lots of groups springing up for people to meet others. Meet up and Facebook etc.
Had a friend who joined one after her husband passed and she said she's not bothering anymore.
After people get to know each other, they form little groups, and start talking about other people she told me.

Just thought I'd put it out there. It all looks good to start with, lots of people adding their name and age etc and saying let's meet up. When it comes down to it though, can you be bothered with all the bitchiness and politics.
Anyone else agree?
Why are so many people always looking for new friends online too?

When it comes down to it though, can you be bothered with all the bitchiness and politics.

Can you be bothered with what though? Friends?
Of course smaller groups will breakaway from a large group and get closer. No they won’t always talk about other people.

I use it, hasn't been any bitching or politics. It's a mechanism to meet people who could become actual friends so of course people break away into smaller groups over time. I've never found this to be unpleasant.

As for why...everyone I've met has come to the groups because they have moved to the area (or are temporarily in the area) and are trying to build up a group of friends. The one exception is of a person who had always lived in the area but had recently divorced and was trying to build a group of friends that were not connected to their ex.

I suspect how a group develops depends very much on how it is run and the values of the people who lead the group. Thing is naturally some people will get on more than others and you can’t expect everyone to like everyone else.

The thing I noticed when I joined a similar group was that there were a number of people in the group who had very difficult personalities (I guess that’s why they didn’t have any friends) and some who had quite significant needs (for example mental health needs being suicidal). So I felt more like I was morphing into a therapist, dealing with socially odd people rather than making friends.

I found friend's through a shared activity. I think that is the way to go. Less pressure, more fun and less focus on “being friends” and friendships just naturally occurring through enjoying the activity together.

I moved to a new city, then split with my partner. Meetup gave me a way to meet people & over the years I’ve formed a wonderful group of friends with shared hobbies.
There’s a lot of research now on how damaging loneliness to our physical & mental well-being. Lots of us find that we live physically far away from friends or at different life stages. It’s difficult to make new friends as an adult do these groups are a great way to do it.
I’d highly recommend to anyone. Those based around hobbies I think are the best as there’s something you all have in common.

What's wrong with discussing politics?

This is true.
More forced in a meet up and make friends group.

I have used and loved Meetups. And yes, formed smaller breakaway groups.We don't talk about other people though.

Generally I prefer not to worry if other people are being bitchy or not. Why let that get in the way of making friends?

I think it’s normal for people to break off and make their own groups. You can’t like everyone.