• BackgrndNoize@lemmy.world
    9·
    2 days ago

    How do people even have online friends, I only have occasional chats with strangers on Reddit or Lemmy but I wouldn’t call anyone a friend let alone meet them in real life

    • Tug@lemmy.world
      8·
      2 days ago

      I have a solid squad of 6 that have been playing Xbox together for 15 years. We’re all friends scattered across the country and have never met IRL.

    • monarch@lemm.eeEnglish
      7·
      2 days ago

      I think the easiest answer is to play online games with a mic until you meet someone you click with then make a discord and grow it. That’s what I did when I had online friends at least.

      • BackgrndNoize@lemmy.world
        4·
        2 days ago

        Yeah that sounds good, but English isn’t my first language and I’m not that good at any games. Still worth a shot

      • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
        5·
        2 days ago

        Counterexample. Over the pandemic I met some people as a d&d group. Two years later we all met up for a vacation together and had a blast (ok one woman didn’t vibe great but the rest did). This past year at one’s wedding we met each others’ partners and everyone had an amazing time. In fact we had such a good time that when my wife and I were deciding what blue city to flee our red state to we picked the home city of one of those friends, and we’re going to crash with her for a little while while we look for an apartment. In addition to being closer to her, the whole friend group will be on the west coast making trips together easier, which we’re all excited for

        • BlessedDog@lemmy.world
          1·
          2 days ago

          Thats good, that makes me feel a bit easier; hearing success stories. I’m still just a teen who’s never traveled outside of countries where I know I have a safety net, so this is a bit stressful.

          Regarding the part about fleeing your state, I am not american, but I hope you guys find a safe environment, and I hope you work through the troubles brewing in your country right now.

          • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
            2·
            2 days ago

            Yeah its gonna be stressful and I can’t tell you it will go well, but it might. Adventures like this are good for people your age as well. Having a plan for if it goes poorly is a good idea. Video calling beforehand is generally wise because it can guarantee you aren’t being catfished and that you vibe in real time.

            Go in expecting a good time and prepared to show a good time. And while it sucks if irl you don’t get along it’s ok. There’s a saying in America that bad times make for good stories. Your teenage and young adult years are for adventures and building experience. It’s scary and exciting and no matter how it goes you’ll probably be glad you did it when you’re older.

            My story isn’t even the only great time I’ve had with internet friends. If I’m near anyone I know these days I’ll at least try to swing by for a meal.

            So what’s most likely to happen? Probably a generally good time. Nothing life changing in any direction though your age is one in which life is quite malleable and it’s downright common to have life-changing experiences at that age. But it should be fun, and you’ll likely stay friends. It’s quite likely the friendship will be different afterwards but not worse, just closer and informed by how it felt to be in the same space. Inside jokes are likely to happen also.

            Thanks, I’m sad it’s needed but also excited and I choose to maintain hope that good will win both here and abroad.

            Best of luck, have fun on your trip