Was watching Julie and Julia the other day when I noticed that rather interesting dialogue. This is exactly the way I feel. Or would feel if I had any real friends that is. Ha ha. Yes, I've realised that though I have plenty of this so called species on facebook, in reality I have precious little of them right now.
I think I did have friends till university. Then ofcourse everyone got busy with their lives, getting married, having kids, immigrating, moving. I did all of the above except for immigrating, and still had time for friends. However hardly any one had time for me in general. The problem is also exacerbated because of our moving around from country to country. Naturally it's easiest to make new friends with other expats. However as soon as I become anything near close to them, they up and leave. I have also had the misfortune that anyone who seems remotely interesting seems more interested in housework and ironically hanging around at home so that the maid can do their work, rather than socialising in the mornings when the kids (if they have any) are at school. I have also found it strange that the moms that I know prefer to have play dates with kids rather than meet when the kids are at home (refer back to making the maid work excuse). It seems strange that play dates for kids who are 6 or 7 years old are needed! Don't they get enough play time while they're at school for crying out loud?
Overall, I feel I've been swept aside and forgotten about while everyone is busy dealing with the rat race that is life. I don't really know why I don't feel much of an urge to join the rat race myself. I also feel I'm somewhat a loner in this search for friends. Most people I know are more interested in policing their housemaids, and sticking to their daily routines than meeting up with me.
Don't get me wrong, I've got plenty of people who want to stay in touch, more often than not when they need something. Usually after they have got what they wanted (often a free stay at my house, with me slaving away after them), I'm chewed up and spat out. There are other friends who are always on the invisible mode, again until they need to kill time.
Ofcourse it's entirely my fault that I have given people the message that it's ok to treat me in this fashion. And I've taken steps to reduce the dumb behaviour on my part. Even though it's lonely, it's better not to have many friends than to not like the ones you have.
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I know exactly what you mean - finding "real" friends is just so hard now. I was so fortunate knowing you and Arathi in Sri Lanka and keep asking why I couldn't have met you guys earlier rather than when I was just leaving - that is one of the biggest tragedies of my time in Sri Lanka. Am so glad we can stay in touch via email and on facebook. And just wait for the day when we are all able to meet again :)
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