Meeting and making new friends

[Dreamliner]

Being in school for the last 3 years, I met quite a few friends and new people but having graduated last year we have all gone back to our separate cities and no longer get to see each other as often any more. Combine this with HS friends who have moved away for school, I find myself pretty bored during my off time. I'm quite shy and I'm looking for ways to get myself into other social circles. I'm not an athlete-type so I'm not going to be joining any sports teams (hockey, etc). I golf but recently took up the sport more seriously this year so my game isn't all that great. Aside from that I have been out of work for a few months due to being on a seasonal contract in my field. The job market in my industry is slow and finding employment is proving to be extremely difficult. To top it off, I am starting my degree program from a university in the US via correspondence (online learning) so I doubt I'd meet many friends in person that way.

What can you guys suggest for someone in my shoes? :D

[peterm15]

Forum meets.

I've never been to a Mazda meet but when I was more into reptiles I met alot of friends that way.

[Impressive]

Yeah generally the people on this website who come out to meets are cool folks and no matter how you describe yourself and your interests to be, i'm sure you'd have a good tme at the meets.

[Default User]

Agreed. Obviously you're a car enthusiast, otherwise you wouldn't really be on these forums.

What better way to spend your free time, than socialize with fellow car enthusiasts

You should definitely come out to the mini-meets held daily/weekly at various locations throughout the GTA. You'll be surprised how easy it is to spark up a conversation.

If ever I'm at one of the meets you attend, just let me know. I'll make sure I keep an eye out for you.

[peterm15]

come out to garage16 on sunday, ill be there for a bit as im sure others will.

[Dreamliner]

1) I don't own a Mazda3
2) My car is not modded. I roll stock :p (minus the ClubEL sticker as I support that forum although it's pretty quiet these days)

[peterm15]

I don't feel that really matters. Everyone on here seems pretty nice so I don't think that would bother anyone.

Although someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

[optiklenz13]

You don't have to have a modded 3 to show up at some of the meets!

When I came to Canada in 2006, I didn't know anybody. I didn't even know about forums before. I had no job and was pretty bored at home. It happened that I stumbled on to JDMR. Introduced myself there, and showed up at KC Wednesday meets when i got my first car, a 2004 7th gen civic. I didn't know anyone. Just saw a group gathering together, went and introduced myself and voila! I have my new set of friends.

Don't be shy, we don't bite! I for sure didn't get bitten. :)

To this day, I still hang out with the people if first met at KC. In fact, I'm proud to be part of them, they were known as FPC before and still known as FPC. ;)

My team, my family, my friends.

Shameless plugin for my team, I guess.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2056/5714980932_2584ca7c0a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/optiklenz13/5714980932/)
FPC (http://www.flickr.com/photos/optiklenz13/5714980932/) by optiklenz13 (http://www.flickr.com/people/optiklenz13/), on Flickr

Seriously though, that's what I would do. Good luck!

If you ever tried showing up at TM3 meets though, TM3 has the best people you'll ever meet.

[Default User]

I you have a PS3 or XBOX - you can join in on those weekly GT5 or Forza on-line meets

[greaves82]

Definitely come out to the meets, as said before some of us dont have fully modified ( my car is stocked everything except for tinted windows).

[Mitchell3]

You'll be surprised how easy it is to spark up a conversation.

So easy to talk to people at meets. Even if your too shy to start up a conversation, someone almost always will initiate it for you :chuckle. Coming from a shy guy, I know for sure its not hard.
You don't need a balling car to come, be accepted, and make friends here!

And yes, xbox and ps3 it up all the way!

[SilentJay]

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/9712/1195445203621300483jean.png= Shy introvert.


But I still make do - like everyone said, attend meets, take every opportunity to go out when invited, join interest clubs, and intermural sports are awesome. Oh, and it doesn't hurt to bring beer to meets to distribute to owners of phantom blue cars :chuckle