If i lived there i would be a good friend to you. I just think you have been overlooked. Same with me, if people actually knew what I am like they would reach out to me for friendship but it is not like I reach out to them either so I am just as guilty as they are. Oh well, you got someone in Wisconsin who cares about you man.

And a nice blonde in Florida too. It may be long distance but you have people who like you and care about you.

To Reply#1. We've been overlooked, yes.

Hmm so this makes me think it's where and how..that we meet people in the everyday. "Initial contact." That matters a lot.

And it makes me think about follow-up.

Isn't the topic of social skills and how-to-start-friendships worth discussing?

Anyone?

And to O.P. (Penntucky). Actually food stores have been some of the most fruitful places for building acquaintances.

(For those of us who cannot build friendships at work and are hampered money-wise and don't make friendships when neighborhood are concerned.)

Just yesterday for example I ran into a couple with whom I'm becoming friends. --And talked a little while. /The next step is to get my place more straightened up to be able to have such ppl over. :o

that's great Calebb, glad to hear

To E-Salve. I like them and they like me, but the relationship only goes so far.

For example, no one has anyone over. And things would go further if I had someone allowing it to be a foursome.

I need to figure how to take things from the stage I am at -- to something, shall I say?: deeper. And like has been mentioned, money is a factor. If I could afford a bigger place, if I had a car to go over and pick a date up.... / But thanks for the feedback; I'll think more about yesterday's meeting-at-Kroger. :) :)

Yes, I can relate. "Overlooked" is a very good word to describe the feeling. After so many years of constantly being put down and treated like an incompetent moron by my family, apparently I put out some kind of vibe now that tells everyone I meet to overlook me and never take anything I say seriously. Of course being poor and having no confidence doesn't help. Kind of a vicious cycle, actually.

I think probably you can escape that island, maybe we all can, but it's damned difficult. We need to believe in ourselves and think positive. And keep trying. Easier said than done, though.

a late THANKS,

for eyesalve

and blondie61 in florida.

and for Calebb.

MaryLouise99...I've done some dumb/nerd things, and have been silent to lowlifes with big mouths, so I have enough of a reputation as the village idiot, but I do feel good to just having outlived some of them, and realize that some of the others are lowlifes with their own self-esteem issues.

Since I joined this group, I have ventured out, very tentatively into the world... It has only been a few days but I am making myself do it...

It is not always easy and sometimes I feel very nervous, but I am taking it moment by moment...

I have to check my motives, for myself, do I want to venture out to remove the misery of my isolation? Or do I want to venture out to find that "special person" in my life...

I am learning it is not time for me to look for the latter...

It is time for me to look for the latter within myself...