| Author |
Message |
cyndy22
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 15 Oct 2004
Posts: 1076
Location: massachusetts
|
 Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 9:33 pm Post subject: Is it possible? |
 |
|
| How about a poll asking- Can you really get to be friends with fellow internet forum users? or just discuss this topic. After all I know 3 couples who met through the internet and are now married. Doesn't it seem possible then that others could become friends. For me it is and prior to my trip to Piter, I made friends with a wonderful Russian woman. We spent 5 days together in Piter and yes we got to know each other much better in person. We stay in touch and I hope she will visit me in the states eventually. So I think it is not only possible but a wonderful thing when strangers who have somethings in common and are able to trust each other and manage to become friends. I know that we live in a cynical and even what some regard as a dangerous society now and many people would never consider meeting a stranger from the internet. So I am curious... |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
mister_wizzz
VIP
Joined: 27 May 2004
Posts: 582
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 10:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes it is possible.
Few years ago I sent a random message to a Kazakh girl through ICQ and after few months she asked me if she could come and visit me in PAris. I answered that if she succeeded in getting a visa it would be ok, what she did, and we spent a very nice week together.
When she arrived in Roissy airport, she didn't know if I would pick her up, she trusted me and she was right.
I also still keep in touch for 4 years now with a girl from Novossibirsk simply because I sent her randomly a "Hello, how are you ?" on ICQ. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MrSpice
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 10:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I met my wife on the internet and my 2 close friends met theirs on the internet. In a busy city like New York, internet is one of the best places to meet new people because people are so busy and many people are new to the city. In fact, there are 2 very popular web sites to facilitate making new friends:
http://nyclinkup.com/
and
http://www.thelunchclub.net/
and for russians, there's http://www.russianny.com of course |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cyndy22
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 15 Oct 2004
Posts: 1076
Location: massachusetts
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 11:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I am glad to hear so far that others have made friends through the internet. I suspect that since many of us spend condiderable time on computers and the internet is such a fabulous tool for so many things! Mr. Spice, I do have a question for you-
Since you met your wife through the internet, why do you sound so defensive re the possibility of posters here on WTR becoming friends or at the least, hospitable in the sense that if someone is visiting your city/town/etc. and there has been some back and forth postings and basic trust in the sense that- that person is who they say s/he is.
I think these internet forums are great not only for information but have the possibility of connecting people, especially perhaps travelers. Isn't is nice to travel to another city/state/country where you can also meet up with a local who you have been in communication with, is interesting, hospitable and can even show you a nice time during your visit? So as not to make this personal Mr. Spice, please only answer this question generically. I hope others will contribut to this dialogue.
BTW Katyara is back! I presume she is in the the states again. I forgot that she was another person I invited to visit. Perhaps she will be able to visit me or meet me somewhere in New England or New York this time. Who knows? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MrSpice
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 11:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I am not really defensive. I think it is interesting to meet other people in other towns - generally. But I don't have too much time during weekends. I have chores to do and usually meet some friends, go out, spend time in Manhattan, etc. I was in Western Mass earlier in the year in Stokbridge and the surrounding area and just don't feel like driving there again for a while. I am not saying I don't trust you - I think my vallet is safe 
I don't think I was not hospitable. I don't have house with a pool. I live in a rather small 1-bedroom in Brooklyn (you probably saw similar apartments when you visitied russia). I don't invite people to my place too often. I usually go out. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cyndy22
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 15 Oct 2004
Posts: 1076
Location: massachusetts
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 11:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Mr. Spice,
I was hoping you would not feel the need to personalize this last post. That was not my intent.
Lets however agree on a few things...
We all have the same amount of time last I knew.
We all have chores and responsibilities.
Most of us have friends and family near by.
I really am not trying to pick on you Spice. I realize we are all individuals and as such have very unique opinions and values among other things. I admit I am far more open in my opinion re meeting and befriending others. We all have different comfort levels socially I think. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MrSpice
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 12:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
No, we don't have the same amount of time. We do have different schedules, different chores and different important things in our lives. If what you are trying to say is that if I really wanted to go I would find the time - that is true. But frankly, I have other things on my priority list. How can I not personalize it when you asked a personal question?
And why do you want to have a friend like me anyway? I think we have rather different interests and hardly agree on anything. I like to concentrate on having few good friends closeby rather than finding a lot of friends in other cities far away... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nigelinleeds
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 21 Jun 2005
Posts: 108
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 1:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Cyndy
I think it is possible too!!
most people on forums start with a common interest (Russia here) so there is a starting point. Also because on this forum the same people offer their opininion on a wide variaty of subjects, it soon becomes clear who has a similar outlook on life. In the outside world we tend to mix in maybe three circles, family,friends and work,so meeting new people with similar interests is difficult. Also on the internet we are not distracted by any prejudices we all have,we are not bound by class,colour (color to you Americans  ) or creed. Cyndy is right, trust your judgement and be open to new experiences. I've always said I'll try anything once (except men !!) . As an example, a few years ago I travelled around Europe for a month by train. I had a guide book that mentioned a night club in Switzerland, I couldn't find it and asked someone, he said it closed a month before and said he was meeting his wife ans some friends in a Salsa club nearby (he was from South America) I trusted my judgement and had a fantastic night trying to learn to salsa, I didn't buy a drink all night and met people I would not usually meet. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cyndy22
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 15 Oct 2004
Posts: 1076
Location: massachusetts
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 4:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
Spice,
Thanks for the laugh and I am fairly sure you have no clue what I am talking about!
Well last I knew there are 24 hours in a day. And yes most certainly we all priortize in the sense of what are our most important, meaningful mand necessary obligations.
But I think you finally hit the nail on the head when you asked-
"And why do you want to have a friend like me anyway? I think we have rather different interests and hardly agree on anything. I like to concentrate on having few good friends closeby rather than finding a lot of friends in other cities far away.."
Relax Mr. Spice, its quite okay if you are not interested in being my friend.
Nigel, I like your philosophy, attitude toward lofe, openess etc. and I am sure you know how to enjoy life! Honey you are welcome to visit us here if you travel to eastern US. If we make it to London and it is on my travel list, I'd love to meet you and have some fun exploring your beautiful city. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mediashark
Moderator
Joined: 04 Nov 2004
Posts: 1599
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 12:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Short answer: Yes
Slightly longer answer : Story of my life. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nigelinleeds
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 21 Jun 2005
Posts: 108
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 2:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Cyndy thanks for the offer.I've never really thought of visiting the States though. Perhaps I should because most Americans I have come accross are too loud and brash for my liking. Maybe if I went there I'd find it different. Two great examples: I was in Florence in a queue to get into the Duomo, there was an American family in front me, parents and two children, all a little too fond of junk food(OK, they were huge!!) the woman went to the front of the queue to find out how long it was before getting in. She came back and said "Oh my god, theres no elevator and they don't have air conditioning !!" Another time I was working in London near the Houses of Parliement, an American woman pointed at Big Ben and said "Gee what a quaint church". Maybe some people shouldn't have passports. I'd include a lot of British people in that statement too. I recently went to Prague, the evenings are ruined by drunken British men. I would meet you in London, although I don't like the place much, the people are not very friendly. I live in the north of England. If you are going to visit England I'd advise you to visit York (an old Roman town) then go to the Lake District. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MrSpice
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 8:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It looks like Nigel does not like the loud Americans too
Nigel, you should definitely come to the US. It's a very interesting and beautiful country. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nigelinleeds
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 21 Jun 2005
Posts: 108
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
well Mr Spice, who would have thought we agreed on something  I did also mention Brits in Prague, it's a beautiful city and seems a waste of time to travel all that way just to get drunk . It's known as "Brits abroad" you can see them vomitting and fighting in many of southern Europes resorts . By the way, I have posted in "practice your Russian" asking for something I wrote to be translated. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mister_wizzz
VIP
Joined: 27 May 2004
Posts: 582
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 12:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
| nigelinleeds wrote: | | It's known as "Brits abroad" you can see them vomitting and fighting in many of southern Europes resorts. |
Yes, I confirm.
Every winter I usually spend one week in Meribel to ski, and I usually drink a couple of beer in the evening and the only people I see in bars completly drunk are british, girls included ... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MrSpice
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 9:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
| nigelinleeds: What do you care what other people do? Why is it important that there are some loud american tourists and what does it have to do with the United States - country of 250 million people? There are probably some dumb Americans that stick out when you see them in Europe, there are probably many others that you did not recognize as Americans because they behave like other Londoners. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
