Lonely city

[stefanovic]

Vancouver, London, New York. Tokyo, Stockholm just a few to suffer the silent scourge.

Is Vancouver lonelier than most cities or just better about addressing it?

The city has launched a series of initiatives to combat social isolation amid polls suggesting one in four residents have grappled with the problem

www.theguardian.com

I don't know the answer. Even the philosopher Bertrand Russell didn't either, so it does go back a while and not just a 21st Century problem.
You can join clubs but once it afflicts you it seems it doesn't go away and there is no medication.
Thoughts, please.

What's the world's loneliest city?

In Tokyo, you can rent a cuddle. Loneliness is a health issue in Manchester. And perhaps nobody is as isolated as a migrant worker in Shenzhen. But can we really know what makes a city lonely?

www.theguardian.com

 

[Imurg]

You're a real bundle of fun you are.......

 

[IanM]

Ah the Guardian.....always good for a bit o'lefty levity!

Have you seen the price of tofu lately?

 

[TimShady]

Ah the Guardian.....always good for a bit o'lefty levity!

Have you seen the price of tofu lately?

People should just man up, eh?

 

[stefanovic]

You're a real bundle of fun you are.......

Yes, but being miserable keeps me happy!
One point I'm making is that joining any club or group is no answer.
Been on my own now for 23 years, during which time all friends and family have gone.
Older you are the worse it's likely to get, but the young can also be severely affected and it becomes like a disease.
Like being in a quicksand, the more you struggle the deeper it gets.
Where are all the people I used to know? I should recognise old work friends in the local area but never do.
Murdered Jo Cox tried to do something.

Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness | Age UK

We've been proud to be part of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness to shine a powerful spotlight on the millions of lonely people living in our communities.

www.ageuk.org.uk

 

[IanM]

People should just man up, eh?

Ooh. Where did I say that?

 

[IanM]

Yes, but being miserable keeps me happy!
One point I'm making is that joining any club or group is no answer.
Been on my own now for 23 years, during which time all friends and family have gone.
Older you are the worse it's likely to get, but the young can also be severely affected and it becomes like a disease.
Like being in a quicksand, the more you struggle the deeper it gets.
Where are all the people I used to know? I should recognise old work friends in the local area but never do.
Murdered Jo Cox tried to do something.

Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness | Age UK

We've been proud to be part of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness to shine a powerful spotlight on the millions of lonely people living in our communities.

www.ageuk.org.uk

You're right. As you get older change is harder to manage. When you lose contemporaries, it makes you more aware of your own mortality as well as the sadness of losing a buddy/relation...

Joining clubs and activities is the answer for some, but not others. But surely searching for anything that brings joy is a worthwhile exercise. Especially trying "new stuff!"

My earlier post was more about avoiding negativity than anything else.

Keep scrapping, its worth the effort.

 

[CliveW]

It must be a Southerner problem. Further North we have no problem talking to strangers....

 

[Budds]

Thoughts, please.

What a sad and negative person you are! Go and find something you enjoy. I doubt Golf will do it. More importantly, stop being so negative!

 

[Hobbit]

I’m in my 32nd house in 65yrs. Lived in the U.K., Ireland and Spain. Think I’ve been a member of 14 golf clubs. Making friends, for some people, isn’t always easy. And from my own experience, those that don’t move have a lot more friends, often going back to their school days. They’re also a lot closer with so many shared friends, again going back to their school days.

I can well believe it can be lonely moving somewhere new. As for me, maybe moving as much as I have means I don’t have a problem talking to people… scares the BeJesus out of southerners though!

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I’m in my 32nd house in 65yrs. Lived in the U.K., Ireland and Spain. Think I’ve been a member of 14 golf clubs. Making friends, for some people, isn’t always easy. And from my own experience, those that don’t move have a lot more friends, often going back to their school days. They’re also a lot closer with so many shared friends, again going back to their school days.

I can well believe it can be lonely moving somewhere new. As for me, maybe moving as much as I have means I don’t have a problem talking to people… scares the BeJesus out of southerners though!

Especially with those feet

 

[Hobbit]

Especially with those feet

Only 4 months till the next nail clipping!

 

[D-S]

Vancouver, London, New York. Tokyo, Stockholm just a few to suffer the silent scourge.

Is Vancouver lonelier than most cities or just better about addressing it?

The city has launched a series of initiatives to combat social isolation amid polls suggesting one in four residents have grappled with the problem

www.theguardian.com

I don't know the answer. Even the philosopher Bertrand Russell didn't either, so it does go back a while and not just a 21st Century problem.
You can join clubs but once it afflicts you it seems it doesn't go away and there is no medication.
Thoughts, please.

What's the world's loneliest city?

In Tokyo, you can rent a cuddle. Loneliness is a health issue in Manchester. And perhaps nobody is as isolated as a migrant worker in Shenzhen. But can we really know what makes a city lonely?

www.theguardian.com

Are you ok?

 

[stefanovic]

Are you ok?

Okay, thanks.
But who are you? D-S from Bristol is all I know.
Hi! I'm Steve from Solihull.

On posters I see: "Fill your street with friendliness".
More likely it's filled with CCTV cameras.

Everywhere I see: "Samaraitans will listen: Call 116 123".
Sign on lamppost says "Look out if you are using phone",

Who are your Facebook and Twitter friends?
You probably know their avatars better.
.

 

[williamalex1]

Only 4 months till the next nail clipping!

By a Farrier lol

 

[Hobbit]

By a Farrier lol

 

[Voyager EMH]

"To be completely alone is to have everything and nothing at the same time."

 

[stefanovic]

In the UK about 8 million people now live on their own.
In the USA it is 36 million.
If this is repeated around the world then almost 1 billion live alone.
At worst it can be like a black hole of despair.
If your partner dies you may well have a significant increase in your risk of dying.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

When I moved from Glasgow to Bristol for my first job after uni I didn’t know a soul. But that didn’t stop me. I’d go into pubs and start chatting with folk standing at the bar. I think they thought I was a bit weird. Maybe I am, but they found that by buying me a drink I’d sometimes shut up for a bit.

Getting to know you…getting to know all about you etc.

 

[Voyager EMH]

Ich möchte euch besser kennenlernen.

Although it does sound better the way Howard Jones sang it.