Post-college life seems geared toward isolation

[StinkyPinky]

Originally posted by: dr150
In Europe it's quite different.

People go to pubs or get togethers (sport or whatever) for a few hours. There's active social interaction every day after work.

There's a real sense of community and meeting new people through friends of friends.

In Spaiin, it's ridiculous how much social interaction goes on after work!

I've long realized people in the US are social misfits. Americans live to work, the rest of the western world works to live. A much more rewarding ethos.

 

[mrkun]

Originally posted by: StinkyPinky

Originally posted by: dr150
In Europe it's quite different.

People go to pubs or get togethers (sport or whatever) for a few hours. There's active social interaction every day after work.

There's a real sense of community and meeting new people through friends of friends.

In Spaiin, it's ridiculous how much social interaction goes on after work!

I've long realized people in the US are social misfits. Americans live to work, the rest of the western world works to live. A much more rewarding ethos.

Is Canada the same as the US in that regard? Anyone care to chime in?

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: StinkyPinky

Originally posted by: dr150
In Europe it's quite different.

People go to pubs or get togethers (sport or whatever) for a few hours. There's active social interaction every day after work.

There's a real sense of community and meeting new people through friends of friends.

In Spaiin, it's ridiculous how much social interaction goes on after work!

I've long realized people in the US are social misfits. Americans live to work, the rest of the western world works to live. A much more rewarding ethos.

we've really got it screwed up.

 

[yllus]

Originally posted by: mrkun

Originally posted by: StinkyPinky

Originally posted by: dr150
In Europe it's quite different.

People go to pubs or get togethers (sport or whatever) for a few hours. There's active social interaction every day after work.

There's a real sense of community and meeting new people through friends of friends.

In Spaiin, it's ridiculous how much social interaction goes on after work!

I've long realized people in the US are social misfits. Americans live to work, the rest of the western world works to live. A much more rewarding ethos.

Is Canada the same as the US in that regard? Anyone care to chime in?

We're the same as you guys, unfortunately. It's funny - as a society we tend to pride ourselves on being the innovative workhorses of the world - but who's enjoying life more?

 

[zmaster]

i agree OP.
Life alone in the big city suks.
I moved after graduating to a place that i knew no one, and now 7 months later i'm still unhappy.
I mean, the work colleges are awesome, and going to the most amazing parties the fashion industry can host is great, but there is that level lacking that I had when i had true friends back in university.
I hold out to hope that life will get better!

 

[ViviTheMage]

haha, I am glad it's behind me

I agree with dr150...it'd be fun/interesting to work/live in Europe for a few years, that's for sure.

 

[Dear Summer]

I feel the same way after moving to a big city with an introverted personality
Sometimes I feel like crap when I'm driving home from work and I'm at the point now where ALL I do is work. I don't go to the gym because I'm unmotivated. I stay home and play computer games. Kind of pathetic

edit: I wish that I had gone to college in a big city where good jobs can be found. You get the best of both worlds... friends from college and a good job in the same location. I don't have the option to live around my university because there's nothing worthwhile to be found there. So I had to pack my bags and hit the big city

 

[Saint Nick]

Wow people...

I think this is interesting... I'm graduating December 2009 and really couldn't be more excited. There is so much to do in the world. You people complain about getting locked into jobs, spending too much time with girlfriends, and being lonely? Go out and do something. Life is boring when you don't take risks...go travel the world, change your career, do something different...life will never be boring.

 

[Zenmervolt]

The biggest "problem" that I've found with the working world as opposed to college is that, by and large, jobs, even careers, are nowhere near as intellectually challenging and stimulating as college. The intellectual variety of college life just doesn't exist in most jobs. Even in my own job, which involves working at a different company every six to nine months and configuring/customizing software to meet different needs each time is still very mundane in its day-to-day aspects.

Things change here and there, but for the most part all I have to do is come in, hit my marks, and go home. A few panic situations may liven things up or there but overall it's less than intellectually stimulating. Jobs value consistency over variety and I think that this is what contributes to the feeling of isolation. Unfortunately, there's not really any way around that part for most people.

ZV

 

[IceBergSLiM]

choose a different job and job location.

 

[Rowboat]

Originally posted by: Alphathree33

It's like all post-college social contact is:
1) family
2) girlfriend
3) "formal" get-together that you plan weeks in advance i.e. having dinner at so-and-so's place, getting drinks with what's-his-name, and so on

You forgot 2b "go 200k+ in debt for a castle, i mean house so you can hide from everyone after work."

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: StinkyPinky

Originally posted by: dr150
In Europe it's quite different.

People go to pubs or get togethers (sport or whatever) for a few hours. There's active social interaction every day after work.

There's a real sense of community and meeting new people through friends of friends.

In Spaiin, it's ridiculous how much social interaction goes on after work!

I've long realized people in the US are social misfits. Americans live to work, the rest of the western world works to live. A much more rewarding ethos.

someone's gotta have the biggest economy and most powerful military

 

[Babbles]

Since this is a two year old thread that somebody decided to bump - how many people noticed that - and it does not appear that the OP has responded since the bump, perhaps that means he is too busy enjoy life to be neffing at ATOT.

 

[importdistributors]

Originally posted by: spidey07
<blockquote>quote:
Originally posted by: Alphathree33
I do have hobbies -- as I said, dancing, skating, swimming. And I do meet people that way.

And I spend my weekends with my girlfriend.

But even adding those together, something still feels "missing" compared to the old college days</blockquote>

Feel that weight bearing down on you? Do you feel it? Crushing you like a grape?

It's called responsibility and earning a decent living.

As an adult you have responsibilities and things have to be scheduled/planned in advance. You can't just expect to call somebody and say "hey, let's goof off!"

I couldn't disagree more. I goof off all the time and I've been in the corporate world for a few years now. I just do random stuff that people wouldnt expect in a corporate world. Ex. On our conference calls i make random farting noises. Then I play a game where I try not to laugh. Later on, I talk to my friends (same ones from high school and college) and tell them what happened, where they just encourage me to do more.

I am mature for the most part, but I will not let little stupid things that don't really hurt anyone go. This is what keeps me linked to my youth. If anyone tells me to act my age they can go shove it.

Other tips:
-Go to Walmart, it is more fun than 6flags. Just grab a football and launch it across the store as far as you can, see what happens. Go to the auto aisle, and just start dumping motor oil everywhere. and keep listening to the speakers as they say clean up in isle "what ever one you were in". Yell out "PENIS" randomly in public places.

There is so much you can do. When you do something that is unexpected, you will be a social magnet. Random people will walk up to you and either say you are so Cool. Although I had girls come up to me and talk to me in a slow voice b/c they thought I was Mentally challenged.

 

[importdistributors]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
The biggest "problem" that I've found with the working world as opposed to college is that, by and large, jobs, even careers, are nowhere near as intellectually challenging and stimulating as college. The intellectual variety of college life just doesn't exist in most jobs. Even in my own job, which involves working at a different company every six to nine months and configuring/customizing software to meet different needs each time is still very mundane in its day-to-day aspects.

Things change here and there, but for the most part all I have to do is come in, hit my marks, and go home. A few panic situations may liven things up or there but overall it's less than intellectually stimulating. Jobs value consistency over variety and I think that this is what contributes to the feeling of isolation. Unfortunately, there's not really any way around that part for most people.

ZV

I Agree. That is why i recently applied to Graduate School, and im thinking of becoming a Professor for a state funded university so I can do research, and still be around the college atmosphere, i just wonder how I would feel if I actually do make it that far, and when I am working in that profession being 50 yrs old.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Originally posted by: importdistributors

Originally posted by: spidey07
<blockquote>quote:
Originally posted by: Alphathree33
I do have hobbies -- as I said, dancing, skating, swimming. And I do meet people that way.

And I spend my weekends with my girlfriend.

But even adding those together, something still feels "missing" compared to the old college days</blockquote>

Feel that weight bearing down on you? Do you feel it? Crushing you like a grape?

It's called responsibility and earning a decent living.

As an adult you have responsibilities and things have to be scheduled/planned in advance. You can't just expect to call somebody and say "hey, let's goof off!"

I couldn't disagree more. I goof off all the time and I've been in the corporate world for a few years now. I just do random stuff that people wouldnt expect in a corporate world. Ex. On our conference calls i make random farting noises. Then I play a game where I try not to laugh. Later on, I talk to my friends (same ones from high school and college) and tell them what happened, where they just encourage me to do more.

I am mature for the most part, but I will not let little stupid things that don't really hurt anyone go. This is what keeps me linked to my youth. If anyone tells me to act my age they can go shove it.

Other tips:
-Go to Walmart, it is more fun than 6flags. Just grab a football and launch it across the store as far as you can, see what happens. Go to the auto aisle, and just start dumping motor oil everywhere. and keep listening to the speakers as they say clean up in isle "what ever one you were in". Yell out "PENIS" randomly in public places.

There is so much you can do. When you do something that is unexpected, you will be a social magnet. Random people will walk up to you and either say you are so Cool. Although I had girls come up to me and talk to me in a slow voice b/c they thought I was Mentally challenged.

great ideas for getting fired and/or arrested these days. Nothing like being a jobless criminal to help you feel alive.

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: Sentinel
I realized this isolation too.

I moved to NYC to be with my girlfriend, she dumped me and moved to Vegas. I work with 5 guys all 45 and older. I don't know a damn person in one of the biggest cities in the world. This just recently happened, so I;m working on joining a few groups or classes. But it's difficult nonetheless.

you live in NYC and have no social life? Come on, i live in CT, at least i have an excuse

Lots of ppl to meet in NYC, try harder

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: NightDarker
Wow people...

I think this is interesting... I'm graduating December 2009 and really couldn't be more excited. There is so much to do in the world. You people complain about getting locked into jobs, spending too much time with girlfriends, and being lonely? Go out and do something. Life is boring when you don't take risks...go travel the world, change your career, do something different...life will never be boring.

you will see the light. college is awesome.

 

[importdistributors]

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim

Originally posted by: importdistributors

Originally posted by: spidey07
<blockquote>quote:
Originally posted by: Alphathree33
I do have hobbies -- as I said, dancing, skating, swimming. And I do meet people that way.

And I spend my weekends with my girlfriend.

But even adding those together, something still feels "missing" compared to the old college days</blockquote>

Feel that weight bearing down on you? Do you feel it? Crushing you like a grape?

It's called responsibility and earning a decent living.

As an adult you have responsibilities and things have to be scheduled/planned in advance. You can't just expect to call somebody and say "hey, let's goof off!"

I couldn't disagree more. I goof off all the time and I've been in the corporate world for a few years now. I just do random stuff that people wouldnt expect in a corporate world. Ex. On our conference calls i make random farting noises. Then I play a game where I try not to laugh. Later on, I talk to my friends (same ones from high school and college) and tell them what happened, where they just encourage me to do more.

I am mature for the most part, but I will not let little stupid things that don't really hurt anyone go. This is what keeps me linked to my youth. If anyone tells me to act my age they can go shove it.

Other tips:
-Go to Walmart, it is more fun than 6flags. Just grab a football and launch it across the store as far as you can, see what happens. Go to the auto aisle, and just start dumping motor oil everywhere. and keep listening to the speakers as they say clean up in isle "what ever one you were in". Yell out "PENIS" randomly in public places.

There is so much you can do. When you do something that is unexpected, you will be a social magnet. Random people will walk up to you and either say you are so Cool. Although I had girls come up to me and talk to me in a slow voice b/c they thought I was Mentally challenged.

great ideas for getting fired and/or arrested these days. Nothing like being a jobless criminal to help you feel alive.

I'll take my chances. Its better than living this stagnant ass life. SPICE IT UP!

 

[cheezy321]

Originally posted by: evident

Originally posted by: NightDarker
Wow people...

I think this is interesting... I'm graduating December 2009 and really couldn't be more excited. There is so much to do in the world. You people complain about getting locked into jobs, spending too much time with girlfriends, and being lonely? Go out and do something. Life is boring when you don't take risks...go travel the world, change your career, do something different...life will never be boring.

you will see the light. college is awesome.

Oh the be young and naive.

Dude, I've been out of college for a little less than a year now and I already know it was one of the best times of my life. Nothing compares to how fun college was.

 

[racolvin]

Welcome to Adulthood - you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave ..

 

[skim milk]

So I was sitting at my desk today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life.

 

[cirrrocco]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: UF Matt
Sounds like you want a dorm-like atmosphere. Or something like Seinfeld where friends stop by constantly. Sorry, but that is a pipe dream in this day and age.

You could always go to grad school.

My solution was to move in (literally; 6 br house) with friends. Three I originally met on Anandtech, three I knew in high school. It's much more lively with the 7 of us there. It's been two years now and it's really worked out great.

Damm you met them on AT. wow that is pretty cool . so many multi accounts , hehe

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: skim milk
So I was sitting at my desk today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life.

Join the Peace Corps.

 

[clamum]

Originally posted by: importdistributors

Originally posted by: spidey07
<blockquote>quote:
Originally posted by: Alphathree33
I do have hobbies -- as I said, dancing, skating, swimming. And I do meet people that way.

And I spend my weekends with my girlfriend.

But even adding those together, something still feels "missing" compared to the old college days</blockquote>

Feel that weight bearing down on you? Do you feel it? Crushing you like a grape?

It's called responsibility and earning a decent living.

As an adult you have responsibilities and things have to be scheduled/planned in advance. You can't just expect to call somebody and say "hey, let's goof off!"

I couldn't disagree more. I goof off all the time and I've been in the corporate world for a few years now. I just do random stuff that people wouldnt expect in a corporate world. Ex. On our conference calls i make random farting noises. Then I play a game where I try not to laugh. Later on, I talk to my friends (same ones from high school and college) and tell them what happened, where they just encourage me to do more.

I am mature for the most part, but I will not let little stupid things that don't really hurt anyone go. This is what keeps me linked to my youth. If anyone tells me to act my age they can go shove it.

Other tips:
-Go to Walmart, it is more fun than 6flags. Just grab a football and launch it across the store as far as you can, see what happens. Go to the auto aisle, and just start dumping motor oil everywhere. and keep listening to the speakers as they say clean up in isle "what ever one you were in". Yell out "PENIS" randomly in public places.

There is so much you can do. When you do something that is unexpected, you will be a social magnet. Random people will walk up to you and either say you are so Cool. Although I had girls come up to me and talk to me in a slow voice b/c they thought I was Mentally challenged.

LOL. You sound like a junior high or high school kid man. :laugh:

PENIS!