sparky_gnomeOct 2, 2023

New to America USA, how do you socialize and meet new people?

https://lemmy.world/post/6151190

New to America USA, how do you socialize and meet new people? - Lemmy.world

I recently moved to the USA, from the middle east. My English is pretty good, and I don’t have a lot of trouble communicating with people at work or in stores. I also don’t know anyone here at all, outside of work. All my family is still back in Gaza, and I’ve been here over a year now, and still feel cut off from American people and culture. How do you make friends and socialize here? How do I learn more about America and Americans culture? I know a bit about history, but not much about anything else. I don’t drink or go to bars, for religious reasons. I have joined a couple of clubs based on hobbies, but still feel disconnected. I’m not sure how you socialize or meet new people here, in my family everyone came around your house all the times of the day, and here it seems like neighbors just stick to themselves. I don’t want to bug people or anoy them if that is not the customs here. Also, what are your favorite parts of American culture and history? So far I have enjoyed Nascar and monster trucks very much, and studying mathematics.

Show threadUnsustainableOct 2, 2023
If you figure it out, let us know. My kids keep asking me the same thing. I dont know how to do that now because things have changed so much since I was young and meeting people.
Show threadsparky_gnomeOct 2, 2023
It is very sad for me too see this. America was always held up as an example to me, as a giant melting pot of different cultures and classes, where women and queer and minority people and everyone could be friends alongside everyone. I don’t know what changed , or if that was just a dream. It seems like people just stick with the people and cultures they know and grew up with here, for the most part. Still much better rights for me than in Gaza, maybe it just " grass is perfect on the other side of fence, until you get there." kind of thing.
Show threadburgersc12Oct 2, 2023
You fell for the propaganda
Show threadSokathHisEyesOpenOct 2, 2023
Maybe you fell for the propaganda. My friends group consists of native Americans, Eastern Indians, BPOC, Mexicans, Chinese, SE Asians, and Caucasian.
Show threadburgersc12
There are plenty of ways the “melting pot” is true, but to picture the US as some utopia where everyone is welcomed, you’re naive as hell.
Oct 2, 2023 at 9:15pmWeb
Show threadsparky_gnomeOct 3, 2023

If you are not aware, the Gaza strip is an active warzone between terrorists on Israeli and Palestinian side, with my native people caught in the middle.

Yes people suck, but even a land with some rude people and casual racism can be held up as an example of people trying to work together.

Based on your other comments, it’s clear that your view of the world is based on the path you have walked so far, and the narrow stretch of ground you have tread on. Maybe your rich overlords hid the existence of the rest of the world from you, but some of us have been living there.

Fortunately, you have many more steps left to walk, and time to consider the ground your neighbors have been walking on as well. Go, walk with empathy, watch the world and judge it with kindness, and build your heart with room for others in it.

Show threadbastionOct 3, 2023
They are letting the idea of perfection be the enemy of betterment.
Show threadburgersc12Oct 3, 2023
It’s reality. Do i wish everyone was welcomed openly, yes, but until that happens, they’re both still just ideas.
Show threadbastionOct 3, 2023
No, perfection is just an idea. Betterment is on you, if you want it. I want it, so I make it happen, in whatever contexts I have power to do so in.