Settling in and Embracing life in PP
Settling in and Embracing life in PP
Even though I have been in PP for almost 5 months, I still feel really lonely and lost here. It's not my first time abroad (I've lived OS in many different places), and I am a pretty social and outgoing person, but I have found it really hard to make good friends here. Since I work for a very small organisation (I basically work alone) I don't really have any co-workers to default to in terms of socialising, and the people I live with are somewhat friends, but not such that we would organise to go out together on the weekends or in the evenings.
I suppose most of the people I've met who seem to be in my demographic (early career-ish) are quite set in their friendship groups. I don't really have a lot in common with the younger volunteers, but I have found some of the NGO people, or the ones here with "real jobs" to be kind of cliquey and arrogant. Or maybe it's just a matter of finding people who are open to making new friends. Don't get me wrong, I am easy going enough to really get along with most people, I am not just looking for people just like me, but these are the folks I have come across here.
Since I will be here for probably another year, I really want to find my group of great friends and not feel so alone here. I cannot believe I am actually asking this, but how does one make friends here :/ and what kind of places and activities are best? Sometimes I feel like a lot of people here don't actually like eachother, but just cling on for moral support and company.
I am expecting plenty of mockery from the K440 trolls, but if anyone has any advice or insight then please share.
I suppose most of the people I've met who seem to be in my demographic (early career-ish) are quite set in their friendship groups. I don't really have a lot in common with the younger volunteers, but I have found some of the NGO people, or the ones here with "real jobs" to be kind of cliquey and arrogant. Or maybe it's just a matter of finding people who are open to making new friends. Don't get me wrong, I am easy going enough to really get along with most people, I am not just looking for people just like me, but these are the folks I have come across here.
Since I will be here for probably another year, I really want to find my group of great friends and not feel so alone here. I cannot believe I am actually asking this, but how does one make friends here :/ and what kind of places and activities are best? Sometimes I feel like a lot of people here don't actually like eachother, but just cling on for moral support and company.
I am expecting plenty of mockery from the K440 trolls, but if anyone has any advice or insight then please share.
- the_purple_turtle
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Come on down to kampot this weekend and rent a bicycle. Ride up bokor mountain with us.
Join the other freaks of Phnom Penh - the hash house harriers. They're generally welcoming, you'll get out of town, and drunk if you want https://www.facebook.com/groups/p2h3cambodia/?fref=ts
Can't you befriend the members of the libertarian club you organize?
In the 10+ years I lived in Cambodia, there's one Cambodian couple I would consider akin to close family, close friends that can be counted on one hand, a lot of friendly acquaintances and work collaborators. Some of my most trustworthy friends aren't actually in country.
I'm not sure what kind of friends you are seeking. Someone you can confide in, you can talk shit n giggles with, you can hang out with, you can travel with?
In the 10+ years I lived in Cambodia, there's one Cambodian couple I would consider akin to close family, close friends that can be counted on one hand, a lot of friendly acquaintances and work collaborators. Some of my most trustworthy friends aren't actually in country.
I'm not sure what kind of friends you are seeking. Someone you can confide in, you can talk shit n giggles with, you can hang out with, you can travel with?
I would hope you don't get flack for what is a sincere post. Why don't you go along to Quealys tonight and introduce yourself to some of the 440 people who will be there. They are a good bunch and will make you welcome.
Thanks guys! It's nice to see so many friendly folks on here.
I guess I don't know exactly what kind of friends I am looking for, I do have a few friendly acquaintances but there's nobody I know who would visit me in hospital or that I could confide in. Other countries I have lived abroad in I have made really close close friends, and here seems like a slightly different vibe.Joon wrote:Can't you befriend the members of the libertarian club you organize?
In the 10+ years I lived in Cambodia, there's one Cambodian couple I would consider akin to close family, close friends that can be counted on one hand, a lot of friendly acquaintances and work collaborators. Some of my most trustworthy friends aren't actually in country.
I'm not sure what kind of friends you are seeking. Someone you can confide in, you can talk shit n giggles with, you can hang out with, you can travel with?
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- Making Khmer girls cry since 2003
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I'm going to read between the lines that attendance at those events may not be very high.Joon wrote:Can't you befriend the members of the libertarian club you organize?
I'm assuming the OP is a girl. It's much easier to not be lonely if you're a guy, you can just go to hostess bars and have a lot of instant friends for the low price of $3 each every 10-15 minutes. That's why I go.
Follow my lame Twitter feed: @gavin_mac
Are you looking to befriend local Cambodians or other expats?sunnshine wrote:Thanks guys! It's nice to see so many friendly folks on here.
I guess I don't know exactly what kind of friends I am looking for, I do have a few friendly acquaintances but there's nobody I know who would visit me in hospital or that I could confide in. Other countries I have lived abroad in I have made really close close friends, and here seems like a slightly different vibe.Joon wrote:Can't you befriend the members of the libertarian club you organize?
In the 10+ years I lived in Cambodia, there's one Cambodian couple I would consider akin to close family, close friends that can be counted on one hand, a lot of friendly acquaintances and work collaborators. Some of my most trustworthy friends aren't actually in country.
I'm not sure what kind of friends you are seeking. Someone you can confide in, you can talk shit n giggles with, you can hang out with, you can travel with?
Good, solid friendships develop over time and through hard times. And more often than not they blossom after an initial "click". Sometimes it will just happen that you don't share a vibe at all with people you meet around. And at other times, it just feels like you've known each other before.
I guess that to maximize your chances to meet that good friend you yearn for, you'd need to meet as many people as possible.
Go to events, drink-ups, clubs, etc. Interact with other expats on Facebook, Twitter, forums, etc. and soon enough there'll be regular meet-ups.
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- I've got nothing better to do
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This may sound strange, but you should give Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu a try. It's really a lot more than just a martial art and there's a big camaraderie aspect of it. You show up, train hard, and you will meet awesome people. It's like that wherever you go. I've trained in gyms from Hawaii to Indonesia and every one I've been to I've met cool people. It's also something that doesn't require having to drink and get hammered. Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course. Prokout Gym in the Tonle Bassac area offers it 4 or 5 days a week, I believe. Good group of guys there. Good luck.
OMG - I want to punch them in the face after 2 minutes.gavinmac wrote:I'm going to read between the lines that attendance at those events may not be very high.Joon wrote:Can't you befriend the members of the libertarian club you organize?
I'm assuming the OP is a girl. It's much easier to not be lonely if you're a guy, you can just go to hostess bars and have a lot of instant friends for the low price of $3 each every 10-15 minutes. That's why I go.
Anyway, as someone said above, the hash house harriers are a bunch of retarded idiots who walk (or even run!!!) in the blazing heat somewhere outside PP every weekend (they meet Sunday 2pm at the train station). You might meet someone you like there - and even if you don't, its a good way to see different parts of the outskirts of PP. its not for everyone - especially the rubbish that goes on after the run - but if you don't like it the first or second time don't just give up - different people go every week and the runs/walks vary enormously ....
And as a general comment, a number of people (living here, after coming from other exotic destinations) have commented to me how so many of the expats in PP and elsewhere in Cambodia seem to be flaky, unreliable people compared to other 'strange and remote' places where the expats generally pull together. Here they are more likely to exclude you, or try and rip you off.
It depends what kind of stuff you like doing, but if you like getting out and about, the hash is a good one. I don't do the hash so much these days, but I originally met quite a few of best mates here on the hash . There's also a bike hash once a month.
There was a time when it was hard to meet people (apart from drinking) - the hash was about the only other thing to do back then. But there's a club for just about everything these days, isn't there?
Perhaps the OP could let us know what kind of stuff she's into - I'm sure others could then help with some suggestions.
There was a time when it was hard to meet people (apart from drinking) - the hash was about the only other thing to do back then. But there's a club for just about everything these days, isn't there?
Perhaps the OP could let us know what kind of stuff she's into - I'm sure others could then help with some suggestions.
TheGrimReaper wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2019 1:45 pmSlavedog, you do not belong on this forum as you talk too much sense.
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