How can I make female friends when I struggle socially?

[Madmax29]

So ive not got many friends, but i would like to make some female friends, just to chat to and have a laugh with, either that be online or maybe in person.

I find it hard to get chatting to people, i only go to the gym late at night due to my working pattern, and my hobbies are mainly male orientated.

Please help me out.

i’ve made a lot of friends locally via a walking group. I am pretty sociable, but the group has a good mix of different types of people and everyone welcome. Andy’s mans club? Maybe try a new hobby, one that’s more mixed gender. Widen your net a little.

I'll point out the OP's question is typical of many similar ones on Mumsnet. Though as often with these things, it is always better thought of an an activity you want to do first, and any female friendship a byproduct of that.

I will freely admit that some of the suggestions - while alright as far as they go - there's something about living in England that makes them sound a bit depressing! Like going to the local fleapit cinema in the 1970s/early 80s just didn't sound very glamorous compared to the later multiplexes. It's an image thing - but best arranged in the summer months probably.

But if the OP really just wants female friends because they will ‘understand and listen’ to him when he talks about ‘sensitive subjects’ then he needs to rethink.

I think a lot of us want to have friends to talk to and to listen to us, whilst hopefully reciprocating.

I don't think he's asked anything wrong, probably clumsily worded as a pp said.

I don't think there is anything wrong wanting a sympathetic ear as long as the whole relationship isn't about that and you give as much as you take yourself.

It's not that women are there for just that but on the whole, I find women, at least the ones in my life including myself, to be more empathetic. Maybe I'm just surrounded by males who aren't very emotional but I don't go to men to talk about my problems.