where is the fun?

I think that army instills discipline on the members and your friend become serious and mature. But I heard that he basic nature of a people will never change. If he was a warm, friendly and funny guy earlier, he would still be that kind of person inside. He may just need a different situation to make it appear as before.

Hi ifa If it was me... I know I am the childish one here and it plays. But yes, 10 years and army is something too much to take a toll on anyone... it is quite a challenging career that makes you mature quite often... (Does this mean it is good that I did not join the Army )

This is one of the reasons why I’m never too eager to attend school reunions. The same people who were playmates and joked about everything and shared every joy and sorrow and ignominy of teacher’s punishments, now look so pompous and alienated and as if trying all the time to judge others and compare each other’s success. Also, its so painful to see the ‘out of sight out of mind’ syndrome being played around so obviously. And in most cases, discussion about the golden days of past are few and far between, its mostly about who is doing what, whose kids are doing what…all unhealthy gossip.

People change from time to time and school/college life would be different from Professional life. May be he would have become more mature and serious, while working in Army. You may, if possible, could ask him what made his change like it.

Over time, a person can change. Whether the maturing process of self, environment, or from problems encountered.

there are some people that will change as time goes by, it maybe because of the profession he had he might been influenced or maybe some other reasons at all, some other people doesn't change, when they are like that before they will be still in the character even when they got maturer they just do it in a maturer way. i don't know with your friend, maybe he is still that joker type of person but not to the extend to fool around people, like doing pranks.

people change especially after 10 years, do not expect everything to be the same.

ifa we none of us are really quite the same person we were in high school and in our jobs. we change maybe just a little or maybe a lot. some of us were shy and we have gained self confidence and no longer can be called shy. Or we were dare devils as teens but matured and learned to be wiser about taking risks. life changes and we all change somewhat no matter how we may want to stay the same.

Hmm, the army is a very serious thing and their discipline is top-notch. I guess it may have changed your friend in a lot of ways considering the punishing training army personnel go through. I think he may have grown mature too but sometimes, those characteristics like being funny is part of a person's personality and would show even as an adult. As you mentioned, it's been 10 years. He may have had several experiences that changed him.

i think all of yours answers could be correct... well i'm still childish sometimes myself... and while some people cannot tolerate that, some people find it okay... because i remind them of the inner child inside them.but anyway, just accept changes, because changes are inevitable anyway... we're all bout to change , in one way or another... and these are the things that we have no control of.

People are in change,not unalterble. change will onle grow.

He was in the Army so things/life has changed him. He is not perhaps the same soft person he once was because having to deal with army life is not an easy task. Perhaps you will get to see some of the funny/childish ways someday, maybe it is too soon. Maybe after a few gatherings he will feel back home again and you will get to see his somewhat old ways. It takes time for a soldier to re-adjust, while some never do, back to their home regular lives. Continue to friend him and allow time to assure him that he can be himself again. Best of luck.

the army changes everybody! no to war no to army = peace!