Have you ever spent five minutes with someone and thought, “Maybe we should be friends?”
There’s a new trend of “speed FRIENDING” events gaining steam, where people meet new people, just to hang out with. It’s part speed-dating, part one-on-one socializing, and part support group, in a good way.
The meet-ups generally involve a group of two to three dozen people, with an organizer who helps break the ice. They happen at neutral places, like cafes, and include people of all ages. (Although it seems bigger among Millennials.)
Like speed dating, people rotate around the room, sitting down and chatting with new people throughout.
So, why is this becoming a thing?
One expert says that we’re in a “friendship recession.” In 1990, about 3% of Americans said they didn’t have any friends. Today, between 12% to 20% say they don’t have any friends.
There are a few reasons for that. Technology, social media, and other online communities have impacted in-person social spaces, similar to the way they have changed the dating “scene.”
The pandemic played a role, especially among young adults, hybrid and flexible work schedules have cut into hangouts with coworkers, and busy-ness seems to be more accepted than free-time.
Studies show that making and maintaining adult friendships is excellent for your physical and mental health. It can help you live longer, be happier, and it’s also “key to economic mobility.”
But like romantic relationships, platonic friendships take time. One expert says the key is to get into the habit of adding “low-stakes, repeated interactions with people you’re similar to.”
(OPB)
