RE: Afternoon Coffee With Friends... and Other Adult Activities
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I am tempted to scoff, "OK, boomer," but I really don't know whether impressions like this match real trends or not.
I attend two different game nights almost every week, and regularly visit a couple other friends. This is despite often feeling like I've had too much "peopling" as a librarian due to my own introverted nature. Sometimes I need some quiet time for an hour or so after work to recharge my social energy battery before visiting even small group activities. But I know it has done wonders for my mental health. One of the worst parts of early COVID concerns was the lockdown and lack of social interaction. Despite my tolerance - or even preference - for social activity, there was a burden of involuntary confinement and uncertainty.
But I also agree that while the internet is great for contact, it gets in the way of real connection. I like the folks I've met on HIVE, but it's not the same as sitting around the table swapping stories or playing games.
I remember what a big deal it was when "company" was coming over, as a kid. My parental units seemed to always have a bit of cake reserved for "company". Now? We seem to all head out to Starbucks or somewhere else. I like staying in, and having friends visit! But, because I'm Mrs. Denmark Guy, not too much. LOL!
When my kids were still in school, and before I was Mrs. Denmark Guy, I did a lot of socializing, especially with regard to the wee ones. I honestly don't miss that, but I do realize how important it is to stay connected, and not just virtually.
Mr. Denmark Guy says all the time, "I used to like being alone, until you."
"parental units" reminds me of seeing someone somewhere abbreviate even that to "rentals."
I know my parents often connected with other adults because of us kids, but the people I knew as a child were also often "friends" mainly because of who my parents visited or entertained, too. Even with the dubious benefit of Facebook's algorithms an "people you may know" connections, I have lost all contact with most of them now.
I also see emy friends who are parents now often struggling to find ways to connect with others. Adulthood gets in the way of socializing in general.