Taking the plunge to try something new through Meetup

[Lolabray]

Has anyone any experience of joining any groups through meet up? I am kind of in my shell and would like to in time venture out more. However I am wary and also nervous and reluctant to go meet a whole load of strangers to go out walking with?

Oh my god me too!
I've signed up to a local group and there's been a couple of things advertised that I could go to but I haven't.
Sorry, I know you wanted help but I was literally thinking about starting a similar thread to yours.

Not meetup but thinking of joining a few groups over the coming year after doing nothing socially (even if lockdown hadn't happened I probably wouldn't have joined anything until now and have done very little socially for years). I experience anxiety anyway so I know that feeling of being nervous to join something new. I just keep reminding myself that I don't have to stay if I really don't want to...and I might even enjoy it!

I did that a few years ago when I was single. It was ok. Had at least two decent nights out of it. Be brave!

I found it quite useless. If you are looking to date and meet new people for that purpose, it should be ok. Otherwise there are a lot of weird people and the single “pick up” types trying to get your number as you are the new blood in the group.

(And I went to hiking and adventure groups not drinking/partying)

Female only groups or those with more female population might be a better bet.

@AnaViaSalamanca

Otherwise there are a lot of weird people and the single “pick up” types trying to get your number as you are the new blood in the group.

This is my worry.

There’s a live thread just now about unwanted attention from a man at meetup- seems likely but the op had gotten good support from the organiser.

@ Heruka is there.. some men are like vultures . I think I’ll just join a gym instead or ramblers association, it doesn’t sound that positive and I don’t want to get chatted up I want to walk and talk about general things lol x

I went to a meet up where only 4 women attended— but met my best friend out of it!! I just love her and she feels the same 5 years on.

Any of the meet up groups I went to had masses of women looking for men and the men were usually shit .

Depends on the group I joined a local meet up group for over 45s after the death of my DH. I have not looked back made fabulous friendships and rebuilt my life. Loads of nights out, theatre trips live music, camping, walking a fab trip to Venice and wonderful friendships

I agree they can be a nightmare - I think the "general access" ones are the worst, as "anyone can show up" and there's a high percentage of creeps.

So I'd avoid "light" walking, or "everyone welcome in a pub" kind of events.

I think the ones with some sort of "access entry barrier" can be better, as people are genuinely there for the activity which means there's that shared interest?

So say a theatre meet where everyone has to buy a ticket for the theatre in advance and meets in the theatre foyer to go in (and drinks afterwards).

Or the one I went to where everyone was kind of "mainstream" and ok was a specialist restaurant where everyone had to travel to the location and make an effort to order the cuisine - not just "turn up at a bar". The people there were cool.

I joined Meetup in 2016 whilst with my partner, but didn't go to any events. When we broke up in 2018 I started going out to social events. It served it's purpose, and I've met some nice people. However, I've also experienced gossip and cliquey, and some very odd (not quirky) personalities.

I'd go for it OP, I've had a bit of the attention thing from fellas, but nothing heavy. Go with an open mind, and go more than once, it can take a while.

Good luck

Are you a mum OP?

Peanut app is brilliant for meeting up with people in your area.

I think you should try it you have nothing to lose. I am trying to find a meeup to join at the moment but not many groups near me. I do think it seems like a good place to meet people.

I’ve been going to meetups for about 5 years, particularly going out to meals as I can’t do that when I’m on my own. Most people are single, but not all; I’ve never ever had any issues.
In the groups I go to it’s considered bad form to ‘hit on’ other members for dates, although occasionally couples get together over time.