I so want girlfriends.
Not necessarly for dating and romance, although that's fine, but to hang out with, go shopping, get nails done, maybe chat on the phone. Talk about boys. Stuff like that. Girl stuff. This is something I started to get a taste of with my ex, for the first and only time in my life, but she lives far away now.
It's up to me to do the legwork to make it happen, and I'm confident I'll succeed, but I'm also scared. I need to get involved in some meetups, but haven't found one that is convenient and compelling.
What would really be nice would be to become friends with some single girls. And I know one that wants to hang with me, and I will, as we've hung out before, but she is so young. I have fun and am comfortable with her, but think I'd be out of place hanging with her and a group of her friends. Also, who's single at my age?
If anyone has any creative suggestions on how "the new kid" can meet girls for potential local platonic friendships, please share.
I don't do the "mates" thing with the guys, all my friends my age are women. In the various setting I find myself in, the girls/women seem very social. Work, volunteering, various causes, many seem to mix outside, coffee mornings and such. Age seems to be an issue with the older ladies, say over 70. But those 40-60 seem to mingle freely. I always hear about where they caught up for coffee, how much fun they have and so forth.
Like others said, look for meetups. LGBT groups are great because they're so supportive, but they're not necessarily comfortable if you're straight. YMMV.
Meetup groups are really good, as they have such a wide variety. There are also software engineering groups particularly for women (e.g. www.womenwhocode.com). These tend to have a lot of younger women in them, but if there is one near to you then you'll find that they will be very grateful for your experience. Getting to know the women in these groups often opens social avenues into other activities as well.
Thank you re: software groups. I'll be on the lookout.
You need to meet single women who are either bi or lesbian. They will respect someone from the LGBTQ community. I am straight but over the years I have had friends from the LGBTQ arena, I owned a LGBTQ Introduction Service 20 years ago.. Do you have any Lesbian groups you can network in your area? Harder to meet straight women for friendship if you are LGBTQ. There are Lesbian meetups too. I'd keep looking.
What are your hobbies - is there a local group you could join? Is there a sport you enjoy - maybe there's a local club?
Motorcycles, but I'm in between bikes atm. I like to play guitar & bass. I used to do a lot of flight simulator stuff. I haven't found any groups or events yet, but I will.