I love how I’ve been seeing more and more of these articles, and in ways they seem accusatory of GenZ/Millenials for not consuming.
I’d like to believe that just as much of folks not going out is them realizing from the pandemic that they don’t need to do it to be happy, as it is that they don’t have the money to go out. Just don’t do it. Have a close group of friends you enjoy. Don’t shell out money to poison your mind/body. There can be an upside to this.
The 80s and 90s made me believe that a bar was where you met friends, and frequent attendance was important. But when I actually worked at a bar, holy shit. The regulars were sad drunks.
I love bars, and they are often a place I go to meet friends. But I probably drove there so I can't exactly get drunk. Besides, who can afford those bar tabs on the regular. I'm going to be nursing those drinks for a while.
But I'm also finding a resistance to friends going to visit each other. You don't have to spend money to see people, but it seems like even the effort to see people isn't happening.
That’s a good point. I have found that post-pandemic people seem to also be a lot more accustomed to canceling last minute. I almost have more success having semi-large work gatherings than small friend ones.
I found out everyone I knew was not worth it (for multiple reasons), I might suffer loneliness but it's better than being with people that don't care if I'm dead or alive.
I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you do form a connection with someone who does wanna check in.
I'm old and my friends live all over the country. I send them 2-3 messages a year. Good friends imo.
I think cultural norms try to frame friendship as this magical connection. But really it's a super nice person you met one time and now send Christmas cards and say hi to.