Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Male friendship

3 replies

Enxtrovert · 14/01/2024 21:28

I've been worrying recently about my partner's lack of friendships. I don't have lots but the ones I do have are very rich and fulfilling. He loves going to family gatherings and bumping into old friends on the street but he doesn't seem to have any relationships beyond this. He bumped into an old school friend back in September who has a son of similar age to ours so when we got home, he talked about reaching out to him and making plans. I said that was a great idea. The guy responded in that general sort of, 'yes definitely, I'll have a look at dates' way and then he didn't hear back. I didn't ask my partner about it but today he mentioned in a jokey way that this guy had ghosted him.

DP is quite introverted but I think these sort of experiences make him feel less worthy of friendship. He has a tiring job working a lot of hours and mostly alone. I want to support him but I certainly don't want him to think I feel sorry for him. He's a lovely person, kind, funny and a great listener and the idea that he would like more friends but lacks the confidence to make them is so sad. Can I support him in any way?

OP posts:
Richie23 · 14/01/2024 21:45

Do you have any couple friends? You could just start by inviting over your friend and their partner, and then hopefully some friendship between your husband and the partner develops?
If he’s ok not having friends then that’s fine too. My husband has one friend in a different country, and the rest of his friends he’ll normally only see in group settings or if we invite them over as they’re also my friends.
Some people genuinely don’t need much in the way of friendships. I definitely couldn’t be like him, but he’s very happy the way he is 🤷🏻‍♀️

Flyhigher · 14/01/2024 22:33

Needs to book a night out. Ie a music band or a football game. Or a curry. Maybe with three friends. 121 can be too much. Harder. More people there convos are easier.

Madrigal12 · 05/09/2024 19:02

It's a juggle for peeps with limited free-time, work pressure, anxieties or opportunities to make new friends.
How many mumsnetters have made friends on here - maybe theres a need for a Dadsnet ?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread