<p>Ohhhh. It’s that dad. I forgot about him. </p>
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<p>This kind of thinking could be something that is keeping you from making friends. I am pretty introverted, and don’t make friends all that easily. I figure if I make one new friend a year I am doing well (I made three last year, it was a banner year :D). Since I am about 50, I think I have about 50 people I would call true friends now. I have many more acquaintances, of course, but I also don’t live in the same city as a lot of my “true friends”. If I have learned one thing over the years of looking for new friends, it is that you have to take them where you find them. They might not be the same age, gender, race, or socio-economic group that I am in. But if you have an open mind, you would be amazed at where you will find those friends. And you have to get out and meet people (strenuous as that is for some of us!) to find those friends, too. Places I have found friends: work (I switch client companies every couple of years, so meet a variety of people there), church (I am a UU, very welcoming of a lot of different theological viewpoints or no beliefs at all), volunteering (robotics competitions, gifted kids group in my state, summer program for disadvantaged youth in my area), and clubs I have tried out.</p>
<p>How lucky you are…Thumper?..to still have the same friends around after 30 years! People come and go here all the time and now people are retiring and moving away. I’ve given up. I take what I have at any given moment and keep in touch with those who are long distance now. Two of my besties died but that’s another discussion entirely.</p>
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<p>The one who bragged about getting his kids full rides due to being “dirt poor” and then asked about luxury cars and fancy cameras, yes, that one. </p>
<p>Dragonmom, I don’t want to get into that discussion again. Just want to set the fact straight. None of my kids were on full ride. I believe I disclosed this - we did pay full freight for DS for his last bill. Please do not spread rumors. </p>
<p>Also, we don’t have any luxury car. But I do have relatively fancy lenses - a Nikkor 200mm f2 and a Nikkor 600mm F4 :)</p>
<p>I have one best friend, one good friend, and no others who aren’t my “friends” due to work or family or sports.</p>
<p>Quality is more important than quantity. There is nothing wrong with having many acquaintances but being happy to return home (or to your hotel room if traveling).</p>
<p>Making one let alone more friends each year sounds extraordinarily taxing to me. Lots more chance to get grifted.</p>
<p>I think most of the people have are acquaintances. True friends are hard to come by.</p>
<p>Of course, we don’t want to have a debate of what is an acquaintances vs. a friend. It is up to the individual.</p>
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<p>Strongly disagree with this. Maybe lots and lots of true friends are hard to come by, but almost everyone I know has at least a few true friends. </p>
<p>I think people who ARE good friends tend to find good friends. Maybe not hundreds, but some. </p>
<p>I think I’d be hesitant to start a friendship with someone whose “friendship” objective was to have a better retirement! It sounds like the student stocking up on ECs for the sole purpose of increasing college admission chances.</p>
<p>Although I’m not officially a “retiree”, I have recently stopped working after 30 years. I find that the key, for me, is balance. I enjoy group activities, having lunch with friends, and other sociable events. But I also cherish my alone-time - whether that is just puttering around the house or going out to a museum or exhibit by myself. Everyone needs to find their perfect balance. Of course, having a stable financial situation and good health is just as important. </p>
<p>Its hard to find friends if part of that goal might possibly seem to be to make a nickel off their backs. Gaming the system 7 of 8 years is nothing to be proud of. People who are buying new cars while their kids are in college, going on all inclusive vacations, buying expensive camera equipment, all while claiming to be “dirt poor” and getting large amounts of need based aid, and are now gleefully planning their retirement and bragging about their investments are probably not the kind of friends many seek out.</p>
<p>I agree with volunteering.You can meet lots of people out of your comfort zone.
I always recommend going out of your comfort zone, we dont learn anything when we stay in it, and isn’t the point of life, to learn & grow?</p>
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<p>Even if they are all just head shots, if they are all of young beautiful women and not a range of ages, and both male/female, it sounds creepy to me.</p>
<p>And before it gets said that it wasn’t 8 years, my reference is to 4 years of FA each at 2 separate schools, understanding that there was some overlap with 2 in college for I believe 2 yrs </p>