The world can be a lonely place, and not only when it comes to finding love. Times have changed and we are less limited by factors such as geography, race and social class when it comes to the friendships we form. However, despite all the new opportunities afforded to us by technological advances and political progress people seem to be lonelier than ever before. It may be a simple case of quantity over quality – it’s easier now to have a wider social circle (lots of coffee friends) but the nature of these relationships is somewhat superficial. Possibly symptomatic of the Tinder generation, people are now more fickle when it comes to all sorts of human relationships. Essentially everyone is replaceable so discarding/downgrading friends is becoming more common and people seem to be more willing to cut their losses and move on quickly instead of sticking something out a fighting for a friendship.
The issue of loneliness, which is the focus of this post, can be exacerbated in a cliquey place like Cape Town where you’ll find it difficult to be truly accepted by the locals if you weren’t born and raised on the slopes of Table Mountain. I’ve mentioned this before, but it really does seem that many Capetonians often value historic friendships which date back to their diaper days. So basically, if you are an expat (or from Jo’burg) living in the Mother City can be quite problematic until you find ‘your people’.
Having survived this place for more than half a decade, I’ve learnt to become quite creative when it comes to expanding my social circle – running clubs, expat events and networking through existing contacts (and maybe even inadvertently through Tinder). Of course, it’s still difficult to find people of good value and those you truly click with but it can be done with a bit of perseverance. One thing I’ve never done in the name of alleviating loneliness, but have recently learnt is actually a legitimate thing, is to use a dating website or app as a means of making new friends (and by this I mean friends in the platonic sense not ‘special friends’ or FWBs).
Over the past couple of weeks, through my online dating ventures I’ve discovered a rather strange breed of person. The Larry Loner as I like to call them is the type of person who maintains an online DATING profile on a DATING app or website despite claiming to be in a happy relationship. Correct me if I’m wrong but I always thought the whole point of signing up sites like OKCupid was to find LOVE, Prince Charming, Happily Ever After, etc (or at least a FWB or Hook Up at the lower end of the scale). I never thought the purpose of dating websites was to make PLATONIC friendships.
Technically speaking, there really isn’t anything wrong with using the internet to find friends. It wasn’t that long ago that using the internet to find love was stigmatised and is this really that different? Personally however I find it annoying that people are using DATING websites to find friends. Most of us are on there with the intention of finding our future husband/wife and we have to sift through enough deadwood without having to deal with these (often very good looking and pretty decent) individuals distracting us by offering us friendship.
Don’t get me wrong – making a new friend isn’t the world’s greatest problem but I do believe that there’s a time and place for everything. And quite frankly these Larry Loners that engage you in conversation are often just wasting your precious time – time that you could be spending searching for Prince Charming or hanging out with your actual friends. Call me cynical but I also very much doubt I could become friends with someone who was intentionally using online dating platforms to make friends because basically I think it’s just a bit weird (surely they must be a bit socially retarded if they can’t just make friends in real life) and secondly I’d be inclined to believe they were just another breed of Talker and not people you’d actually end up ever meeting.
OK, so these Larry Loners aren’t totally at fault. Dating sites shouldn’t really be offering people the option of looking for ‘new friends’ because it really isn’t the right platform for this. Maybe they’ll find meaningful friendships in internet chat rooms or through meet-up groups, but on a dating site? I seriously doubt it. Especially for those that say they are in a happy relationship, this type of venture to find friends has the potential to be disastrous. Even if doesn’t end in drama, all it really serves to do is waste everybody’s time, both the lonely folk looking for buddies and those that are frantically searching for their fairytale.
Rinsers – Now it’s your turn. Do you think my rant has been a bit harsh of the innocent folk that are just lonely and trying to find friendships online? Do you think it’s legitimate to use a website/app specifically designed for dating to simply find new friends? Have you ever used such tools to alleviate loneliness? And finally, do think there is something wrong with society when people need to turn to the internet for even the most basic form of human connection? Answers in the comments below.
You pose an interesting question …so how about this question to consider …what if they are using that to build toward a relationship that will last based on friendship leading to more?
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In general I think the best relationships are based on a strong friendship (whether this comes before/after you become a couple doesn’t matter that much) BUT still I don’t think a DATING is the place to form such friendships. My biggest issue with these people is that they are looking to make friends of the opposite sex when they are actually in a ‘happy’ relationship. Maybe they are relationship is on the rocks and they are looking to line up a few other options for when the relationship fails ? I don’t know!
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Trust me I know from past experience if they are on a dating site they are not happy…if they tell you they are they are fooling themselves!
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Agreed. And I don’t think its fair to waste the time of people who are genuinely single and looking for more! I think its almost worse than hook-up people because at least they tell you what they are after.
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Sigh! These people are just complete wasters! I don’t get it when people say they are in a relationship but lonely at the same time. What the hell are they looking for? A threesome?
I’ve encountered these types before and I have a low tolerance now.
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My thoughts exactly!
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Great question and the answer is erm… I think being on a dating website in a relationship indicates that you are still shopping. Friendships aren’t made in those situations. Lust and temptation is.
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You put it perfectly! They should just say they are in an open relationship or something?! That way at least people know what they are getting involved in.
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If you’re lonely in a relationship, then you need to get out of that relationship.
Answering your questions: Do you think my rant has been a bit harsh of the innocent folk that are just lonely and trying to find friendships online? Well this can go back to previous posts you’ve shared on why people choose to live their lives online through dating sites, looking for friendship etc. The Larry Loners could be or house bound? The again they just could be pervs :p
Do you think it’s legitimate to use a website/app specifically designed for dating to simply find new friends? I find it pathetic to use Apps to find friends. Now if you happen to find someone online and you become friends, as I have, there’s a difference. But going out of your way to search for friends online is pathetic, UNLESS you’re looking for friendship outside your city, stare or country! If you’re not! What happen to the park, bus/subway, pubs, work. Geesh!
HOw did you find friends before the internet, social media and Apps took over the world?
Have you ever used such tools to alleviate loneliness? I’m in a relationship so I’m never lonely. In my downtime when I write my blog, chat to family and friends back home. The friends I’ve met here we meet up every other day or send emails if we think about something funny or something we forgot to share earlier.
And finally, do think there is something wrong with society when people need to turn to the internet for even the most basic form of human connection? YES! I do think something is wrong with society if they have to look to the internet for human connection because you’re not actually getting human connection, now are you?. You can only get human connection if you’re actually in company with another human being. I’m a people person, I need real human connection, not just words on the screen!
**That’s just my five cents 😉
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Thanks for the epic!
I always like hearing what you have to say.
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Thanks for always inviting me to the discussion 😉 . Your blogs are always so interesting and really makes you think!
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Reblogged this on David Snape and Friends – The place to show off your hidden talents.
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interesting subject. While this isn’t new it’s not surprising. If you’re on a dating app looking for friends well, it seems kinda fishy. Granted some people are socially awkward and I get that. I’m not great at making new friends myself but there are so many message boards and chat rooms out there seems like people are bound to find something.
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Yep… I understand people are socially awkward but as you’ve said there are other platforms where they can work on socializing themselves.
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Computer geeks are just weird. Hiding behind screens and trying to make friendships. Jokers!
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[…] many occasions. I guess the reasoning behind it is fair enough – most of us (who aren’t social recluses or 30-something virgins) have been hurt in the past and not allowing ourselves to put all our eggs […]
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[…] Sure, I’m being a little bit bitchy here. Not everyone can be a social butterfly. But ask yourself why a person would have no friends (apart from possibly their mummy) around? Perhaps they have a strong personality that doesn’t go down well with most people (hmmm…but seriously, noone at all???), maybe they are a workoholic with no time to nurture anything that doesn’t lead to big bucks (it’s fine if you are just after a rinse, I guess) or maybe it’s just a case that they are truly a mean and obnoxious person who picks on everyone elses insecurities to mask the fact that they are not quite where they’d like to be in life. Whatever the case is, someone who lacks the ability to form solid friendships probably has some sort of personality disorder and may not be the easiest person to date so do be sure to do some further investigations before you become too emotionally involved with a such a loner. […]
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[…] if that wasn’t enough, if you are a bit of Billie No Mates you can now even legitimately use dating apps to find new friends. No jokes. Bumble BFF, anyone? It […]
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