Older people often are not comfortable meeting new people or strangers. Sometimes it’s because of shyness; sometimes it’s a feeling of having nothing in common with others; sometimes it seems like it’s just too much trouble; and sometimes it’s a fear of rejection. Often it is easier to deal just with established friends and family.
However, making new friends can be fun and intellectually stimulating. It is also good mental exercise because it leads to communication about things you may have little knowledge of. This can then lead to learning about interesting new subjects.
Ideally, making new friends is easier in a relaxed atmosphere where everyone is looking to meet and socialize with new people. For those who like to meet new people or those who want to change their attitude about meeting new people, there are few better ways than group tours and cruises. But for those who don’t want to travel or can’t afford it, joining clubs may also be a way to make new friends.
My wife and I do a lot of traveling. Some of our travel is for the purpose of visiting friends and family or traveling with friends, but it is often fun to go by ourselves on a cruise or land tour with a lot of strangers. When on vacation, most people feel at leisure and are willing to take the time to talk to interesting strangers. We have met people from all over the world, from all over America, and even sometimes have met strangers from the next town or around the corner.
If you are not a traveler, a great way to meet people and make friends is by joining a club. There is no end to the variety of clubs available. In Northwest Indiana nearly every community has a senior’s club. Type words describing your interests into Google or another search engine and see what comes up.
A good example of the variety of clubs available is in a community in Florida called “The Villages.” It is a retirement community that has over 1,000 different clubs–from sports, such as golf and archery; game clubs, such as pinochle and bridge clubs; car clubs, such as Mustangs and Mini Coopers clubs; and a wide variety that ranges from sing-along clubs, exercise clubs, guitar clubs, photography clubs, and even a 57 Chevy golf cart club and a kazoo club.
Besides making friends with similar interests, joining clubs can teach you things you might want to learn about or create groups that can discuss whatever subjects you like to talk about. All this can make you a more interesting, happier, and sociable person.
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