I have an exceptionally lame question!

How do you meet people?

I mean people to befriend, date, anything. Also people in general, not specifically trans folks. I have friends dotted throughout the States that I've met online. While we hang out on trips, there's not really anyone in my immediate vicinity. I'd rather meet people in person, honestly! It's the middle of nowhere and there's only country bars and churches. Where else do people mingle?

It's gotten to the point where I'm too outgoing to not have any local/childhood friends. It's suspicious and scares people away.

If you are in a very rural area, you have a problem. Another issue is that as we grow older, many people get married and their focus is almost entirely on raising their family. Children are time consuming.

Many of us find friends with co-workers where ever we work. Another area to find friends is the various trans support groups. For myself, I have a few activities where I meet people with the same interests.

Also, it helps to have a smile on your face when you talk to others.

Quote from: Dani on May 02, 2018, 10:02:03 PM
If you are in a very rural area, you have a problem. Another issue is that as we grow older, many people get married and their focus is almost entirely on raising their family. Children are time consuming.

Many of us find friends with co-workers where ever we work. Another area to find friends is the various trans support groups. For myself, I have a few activities where I meet people with the same interests.

Also, it helps to have a smile on your face when you talk to others.

I live in a rural area.  Yes, churches are one way to meet friends... never to be discounted unless you simply detest them or have issues.  Local clubs like quilting for elder or mid aged women are fun, sewing clubs, gardening clubs.  Get involved in 'nerd groups' like local gaming clubs, renaissance faires, there are TONS of meetups for bored people!  You just have to look and express interests in places where you know folks like that would hang out.

Even in the most rural areas you can find people with similar interests.  I know i have Hope this helps.

The rural area complicates things, even though I like the scenery. I'm in stealth, but I guess I am pretty eccentric for a southern gal. All the artsy types left for the west coast already.

Co-workers! Of course! I've befriended most already. Some of us hang out, but most are way older than me and busy with kids. I see a lot of people while I'm jogging and always wave or greet them. I've tried to start conversations, but I guess it is a little weird for passerby to start chatting you up.

Quote from: Doreen on May 02, 2018, 10:07:50 PM
I live in a rural area.  Yes, churches are one way to meet friends... never to be discounted unless you simply detest them or have issues.

I really should give them a go. Some are scary though. My somewhat free-spirited beliefs can leave me at odds with the more dogmatic churches. Still, I shouldn't rule them out. I... always end up hanging out with old men in those situations though. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but people get all judgmental about it. I'm a young woman and my interests align with old men! Philosophy and 17-19th century literature are so fascinating.

Now that transition's over, perhaps it's time to expand my interests?

Quote from: Memento on May 02, 2018, 10:38:37 PM
The rural area complicates things, even though I like the scenery. I'm in stealth, but I guess I am pretty eccentric for a southern gal. All the artsy types left for the west coast already.

Co-workers! Of course! I've befriended most already. Some of us hang out, but most are way older than me and busy with kids. I see a lot of people while I'm jogging and always wave or greet them. I've tried to start conversations, but I guess it is a little weird for passerby to start chatting you up.

I really should give them a go. Some are scary though. My somewhat free-spirited beliefs can leave me at odds with the more dogmatic churches. Still, I shouldn't rule them out. I... always end up hanging out with old men in those situations though. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but people get all judgmental about it. I'm a young woman and my interests align with old men! Philosophy and 17-19th century literature are so fascinating.

Now that transition's over, perhaps it's time to expand my interests?

Kinda funny seeing I am also in the rural south.. and ya you have to be careful of the churches you join.  Fortunately you bump into one (or 3) on every street & street corner.  Don't like someones nose hair? Join First will baptist of the hairless nose over here...

Quote from: Doreen on May 02, 2018, 10:42:28 PM
Kinda funny seeing I am also in the rural south.. and ya you have to be careful of the churches you join.  Fortunately you bump into one (or 3) on every street & street corner.  Don't like someones nose hair? Join First will baptist of the hairless nose over here...

You mean that Presbyterian church? Or the other five?

Join groups or clubs of people who do activities you want to do. Even rural areas have those usually.

I agree with Kylo.  Engage in activities that interest you.  You are guaranteed to have something in common with anyone you meet there.  The worst that can happen is that you get to do an activity that you enjoy.

What kind of activities?  If you are in a rural area, I guarantee that there is a volunteer fire department.  Look for yoga classes at the community hall.  Painting, music, crafts.  Join a sports team or coach one.  Organize a pot-luck dinner.  Hang out with the local kaffeeklatsch.  (That's where I'm going in an hour.)  Walk the dog and talk to neighbours you see on the way.

If you have an interesting town or two nearby, check out cultural activities there.  We participate in community theatre, visit friends at a farmers' market, play in a concert band.  There are movies and public lectures at the university.

I live in an extremely rural area: population maybe 300 at most, mostly farmers and fishermen.  There is no shortage of things to do.  Just about any activity you engage in will allow you to meet people that you have something in common with.