My best friend would just hang out and watch me play video games, and turn down playing himself when I would offer because I felt bad. He said he liked watching me because I was so much better than him and it was the only way he'd see parts of the games I liked playing.
Sucks that he lives in another state. And is also married with children. Probably wouldn't hang out much even if we lived closer.
I have a friend like this who lived close and we didn’t hang out much, but that’s being a grown up. He recently moved, but the rare times we do get together are awesome.
This is actually common in many other cultures and I wish it was more normalized in general US culture.
That being friendships where there is no need for a reason to hang out besides the company.
I live in NYC and I have some select friends who also grew up culturally outside the US and we do this:
If I asked them what they were up to, they'd say something like "going to the barbershop for a haircut", "doing laundry at the laundromat", or other errands.
I would then ask to tag along and maybe say a thing or two from time to time, but for the most part I'm doing something parallel to them.
Usually I'm reading a book, checking my phone, watching Netflix, working on my laptop etc.
It's great.
There's no need for an excuse to be with these friends.
That's true based on my limited experiences. My people in Cuba don't feel the need to talk all the time and tagging along for an errand is generally welcomed and appreciated.
Mia: Don't you hate that?
Vincent: What?
Mia: Uncomfortable silences. Why do we feel it's necessary to yak about bullshit in order to be comfortable?
Vincent: I don't know. That's a good question.
Mia: That's when you know you've found somebody special. When you can just shut the fuck up for a minute and comfortably enjoy the silence.
Lance: Look, you brought her here, and that means that you're giving her the shot. The day that I bring an OD-ing bitch over to your house, then I'll give her the shot. Give her the shot.
It is a game of chance in many ways. You can increase your chances by trying out friendships with more people, but I admit it is hard work.
I’m terrible at online dating, it just doesn’t match my attachment style. So my strategy lately is just to widen my circle of non-romantic friends. My hope is the larger network will contain someone I can click with.
This was the way it was for me when I was younger. We didn't have to do anything. Just have someone around. We'd read comics, play games, do whatever. Just be around each other, doing anything or nothing. Sure, there'd be times we were very active together or go do something. But, it was very cool and fun to just have someone around and hang out for the company...
I'm just saying, Toad lied first when he said he wasn't home. At least Frog's lie made everyone happy.
Also, if you like this energy, Still Game is a delightful show currently on Netflix about two old Scottish men having similar adventures. Their accents are so thick I need subtitles, but I love it!