Meeting up with online friends - have you done it?
@flutterbymusic (46)
March 27, 2016 11:49am CST
Last April I met a girl online who was a year older than me and loved the same bands, but she lived further down the country. We both lived quite far away from Cardiff in Wales, but there was a huge gig happening there last June with both of our favourite groups performing. I don't know how exactly, but I convinced her to travel over there and stay in a hotel room with me (a complete stranger!) so that we could both attend the show. It happened, and while I was there I also met up with someone else. I had an amazing time, and we've now become the tightest group of friends. All 3 of us traveled to Manchester and Birmingham for two other shows last year, and this May we're going to Milton Keynes to see a musical together. Meeting up with these two girls was the best decision I've ever made, and I'm glad I was brave enough to actually meet up with them. We also talk to each other every single day. I would class them as two of my closest friends, now.
Have you ever met up with some of your online friends? Was it a success, or was it awkward? Were they who you expected them to be?
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6 responses
@flutterbymusic (46)
•
27 Mar 16
That's great! Do you mind me asking how you met them both? Are they both Spanish or ex-pats?
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@flutterbymusic (46)
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28 Mar 16
@jaboUK That's wonderful. The only person I know out in Spain is someone who I met via my family history who lives over there now. I'd ready love to meet some of my distant cousins one day - there's a gentleman in Canada who is my 3rd cousin too.
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@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
28 Mar 16
@flutterbymusic No, they are both English, so yes they are ex-pats. We got to know each other on Bubblews, and when I mentioned that we were coming to Spain it turns out that they are only 6 miles away from where we were staying. So it was natural for us to meet up. We've met about 8 times now.
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
27 Mar 16
@flutterbymusic There is a show on MTV called Catfish, have you ever watched it?
I've watched a few episodes and I was impressed about how easy people lie and create fictional stuff about themselves when they are online. That's why I think it's risky, but in the end, maybe we are all able to recognize when someone can be trusted if we don't have false expectations.
@flutterbymusic (46)
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27 Mar 16
@besweet I have seen that show! It is really frightening. I made sure to speak to the girls over the phone before I met them both, actually. I've seen a lot of my online fans over video calls too, so I know exactly who I'm talking to before I share anything with them.
I'd definitely be more concerned if I was younger, or if I was interested in dating any of the people I speak to. Seeing as I am just looking for friendship, I haven't managed to fall into any problems just yet thank goodness.
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@flutterbymusic (46)
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27 Mar 16
Yeah, its definitely a risk. Especially when you're sharing a hotel room with someone! It was definitely worth the risk though. I did speak to them both almost every day for 2/3 months before we met. We just had so much in common with each other in terms of our interests that it made sense and there was so much to talk about.
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@flutterbymusic (46)
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27 Mar 16
Definitely do meet up with someone if you find the perfect friend! It could lead to some great adventures.
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Mar 16
No, never have. Don't know if I would ever want to.
@flutterbymusic (46)
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27 Mar 16
I guess it depends if you already have enough people close to you in real life. I find that my interests are so different to those around me that diving into online communities such as this lead me to meeting those who are closer minded to me. It has really boosted my happiness and confidence.
@supercalifredge (606)
• United States
27 Mar 16
I have never met anyone like that, but I've also never made it to the "best friend" stage with someone online either, and I don't think I would want to meet anyone unless we seemed perfect together.
@flutterbymusic (46)
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27 Mar 16
That's a shame really. I've been online since I was around 8 years old, and through all sorts of forums etc. through the different "fandoms" I have encountered, I have made all sorts of online friends of all ages. Its only been since I reached my twenties that I had any interest in meeting up with people though - I was fully aware of the risks involved. But even without meeting up, having online best friends can be a great experience. Its a great opportunity to have someone to talk about when you really need someone, but feel too embarrassed or connected to those you know in real life to speak to them.
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