Real friends, true friends have, for me, always been a rarity and their remarkable geographical spread (2 continents for now) is as remarkable as their age range (20 - 80+).
Having said that, I was in quite a fix during my stint in England and wasn't able to find someone I could pore my heart out during that period. I then decided it was a problem in cultural differences and that the particular wall was just too thick - but the stereotype of the stiff upper lip and such was validated for me. I mean, nothing against the people I've met and still keep in contact with - they're great for hanging out and organising trips, just not for good, heart-to-heart talks. I tried it once, it was one of the more uncomfortable moments... Apparently the British solution when you're having a problem is to make you drink a lot...
So. If the problem is that you're looking for people to bare souls with - I'm absolutely lost how to get it done in England, I'm afraid.
damn, that's so true.
it's not they're not smart, it's not that they not articulate, it's not that they aren't aware and sensitive, it's just that they are so averse to putting their hearts on the table.
the emotional vector of anglo disease...
i can't count the times i've spent a whole evening laughing and joshing with a brit, and walked away without a clue if the person liked me!
smoke'n'mirrors, vachement bizarre The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it. Chinese Proverb.
I also have a big spread of friends, geographically and in terms of the type of people and ages. Completely different groups that I socialise with that only come into contact with each other accidentally. Probably a lot of my friends wouldn't especially get on with many others.
I'm very picky about who I let into my space though so real close friends are rare for me too, but incredibly important to me. I never had many friends when I was younger and was betrayed fairly frequently so I guess that has it's impact on the dynamics I have with people now.
My social networks got built up through volunteering more than anything else, although work as well. Ad astra per aspera
