My latest column for Expat Focus
Those dam butterflies in my stomach… they’re persistent buggers!
I try to catch my breath, inhaling, deeply… as our car crawls slowly in and out of lanes, jammed with thick Saturday evening traffic.
We are late. Naively forgetting about the headache of weekend traffic in China, we’ve severely underestimated how long it will take to get to our destination, normally a 20 minute drive across town.
This was going to make it harder to arrive ‘inconspicuously’ let alone the nagging fact, the small, subtle bunch of flowers we’d ordered for the birthday girl was China-sized, China-decorated. This means big and garish. Even less opportunity to slide in, in low key style. I breathe.
Realistically, you can go years without meeting new people. If you want to.
Life gets busy and more often than not, it’s all too easy to be content with friends in our ‘hood, our work mates, family around the corner. More often than not, it’s all you need to sustain a comfortable, easy lifestyle, isn’t it?
Sometimes, in all honesty, you just don’t want the hassle of meeting new people. Who wants to put themselves out there. What? I have to reveal to someone that I’m actually a wine quaffing, cat-loving, former trashy magazine obsessive turned pinterest-nerd?!
Sometimes you just can’t find new people to meet… like anywhere. Even in the supermarket! (I’ve tried!) For the love of God, where were all those single men that year I was on the loose (back in the day)! They were actually so few and far between, I had to put myself completely out of my happy, controlled comfort zone to meet my husband. Yes! A blind date!
But this is not about my personal life….it’s about those Blind Dates we all take as expats or new kids on the block. To read more click over here to Expat Focus for the full column.
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Oh, this made me smile! So, so true 🙂 Isn’t funny how we make friends as expats, and the things we can bond over! But, how we also swing between being desperate to meet new people and just wanting to potter along on our own 🙂 Apologies for the horribly late visit from #myexpatfamily, it’s been one of those months!
Sara | mumturnedmom recently posted…#InDadsShoes Charity Campaign and Competition from Inkly
Better late than never, I say!! ha ha! Thanks for taking the time to pop over. Yes it’s definitely an interesting dynamic. I love that it puts you out of your comfort zone and allows you to become friends from people of all walks of life. (Many whom you’d probably never meet in another life.)
Come back again soon! 😉 Nicole
I know what you mean about butterflies. I find it funny how meeting new people has almost become the equivalent to how I felt going on dates. And when I meet someone I really like I go all giddy and excited and then struggle to find a way to remain “cool”. It’s so rare to meet other ex-pats who “get” you that when I do I get all flustered “pick me, pick me for your friend!” #myexpatfamily
Polly Mixtures recently posted…Venta Garcia, Casares
Ha Ha! I hear you! So true. When we find a friend that ‘fits’ us perfectly in our new country it can be very exciting! Everything becomes so much easier!! Suddenly you’re not alone. 🙂 Thanks for popping over. Cheers, Nicole
Isn’t it funny that we can go years without meeting new people?? It takes some serious effort to really get to know others. Moving abroad is a double-edged sword in that regard – it kind of forces you to meet others but then you also have to, you know, go and meet others. And tell them you’re a “wine quaffing, cat-loving, former trashy magazine obsessive turned pinterest-nerd?!” Love this!
Brittany recently posted…Seoul Trail Runs – Gupabal Station to Dobongsan Station
Ha ha! Thanks Brittany! SO glad you enjoyed it. (Did I really say I’m a wine-quaffing, pinterest-nerd!! Lol!)
Hope you can stop by and say hi again soon. Cheers, Nicole 🙂
PS Beautiful blog you’ve got!
This “just don’t want the hassle of meeting new people” is soooo me! I used to be the most social person ever and then i had kids and moved to the countryside and honestly I could live with a couple of sheep and a cow next to my garden and I’d be happy!
And this “wine quaffing, cat-loving, former trashy magazine obsessive turned pinterest-nerd?!” a part from the trashy magazine is soo me again! lol
I must keep an eye on you 😉
Elisa
Ha Ha! Great to meet you Elisa! Love meeting likeminded souls. It is hard to meet new people, to step out of your comfort zone….and this expat posting I had to really force myself to do so! It’s been worth it though. Make sure you stop by again! 🙂
Nicole this is SO good!!! I laughed and nodded along throughout!
It’s amazing how expats can make friends bonding over the most obscure or tiny things!! It’s possibly my favourite thing about being an expat..,,,you make friends with people you never normally would! With So many different types of people, conversations always remain interesting and new!!
Thanks so so much for sharing this with #myexpatfamily it really is a fantastic post 🙂 x
Seychellesmama recently posted…26 weeks pregnant
Thanks Chantelle! Glad you enjoyed it and could relate. It really is inspiring meeting people from all walks of life….everyone has a story to tell. 🙂 Thanks for having me again! 🙂