One In Ten People Have No Friends ...

[naomi24]

... according to a new poll.  Two thirds of adults want to make more and a quarter are lonely.   Younger people have more friends.  A fifth of adults say they suffer from social anxiety and find small talk difficult.  Do you recognise yourself in that lot?

[david small]

No vacancies, none wanted. 

[Canary42]

One point (which is fairly obvious if you stop to think about it) has shown up on this thread, that opportunitites for social interaction are often considerably reduced in the elderly by health/mobility issues.  I wonder what demographic was covered by the Poll, it obviously covered all ages because of the remark about young people having more friends.

[youngmafbog]

Very true Canary, and I do appreciate what you say Pasta.

I do wonder though are the young classifying friends as those on Socail Media and maybe aquaintances rather than real friends?  I found that it wasnt until I was a lot older the difference became apparent.

[davebro3]

A friend of mine almost always refers to mere acqaintances (some of whom he has never met) as "friends".

In the past he has introduced his "friend" to me even though I have known that person much longer (and much better) than he has.

[Tilly2]

I have three friends who, if I needed help, would come to me in the middle of the night. The rest of the people I know are really just aquaintances.

[Old_Geezer]

When young you get introduced to the children of your parents friends, later there's a school full of potential friends, later again your socialising at pubs & clubs & concerts, plus there is fellow college/university/work colleagues to get friendly with, and interests & leisure clubs too, but eventually you escape from the rat race and are less likely to want to put the effort in to join clubs and societies, so it's then, when long time friends have moved away, or eventually expire that the number of friends reduce.

 

I like to think I have quite a few left but in all honesty most have moved, I see them no more, but maybe exchange the odd card. Others seem to have drifted away, one in particular I text or, if no response, call, as they seem less willing to stay in touch, but I wish to know they're still around & well. If it wasn't for family & partner, well... I'd get some peace !

[Maydup]

For anyone who'd like someone to talk to, perhaps once a week, there are various befriending services. Some are by telephone and some are home visits. Equally you could offer to be a befriended and find mutual benefit.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/befriending-services/

https://nhscarevolunteerresponders.org/guides/telephone-support

[Peter Pedant]

In the past he has introduced his "friend" to me 

I was rudely excluded from  a funeral ( if  they say dont turn up you cant really) as the daughter  in  law said, " only family and close friends". I said "well I knew him for 50y, how long did you know huim for?" She made apoint of not speaking to me

[jno]

Barsel, maybe you could join Onepoll and take part in surveys about loneliness for Specsavers... I don't know how much communication you get from them, though

https://onepoll.com/

[tomus42]

I can understand that old people have no friends, and that would be about one in ten of us.

The friends you had start dying off, and it's physically difficult to get out and make new ones.

Family might be around but that's not the same as friends.