Do you feel more social people are happier? (jealous, female, male)

[jobaba]

I was on Facebook today and I saw a whole bunch of photos of people doing Memorial Day stuff out and about. I had a chance to go out today but passed. But often Facebook makes me feel like my social life is lacking.

I also noticed that there are some guys on the internet who claim to have zero real friends, male or female.

Quite polar opposites to some of the people I know and I say I'd fall somewhere in between. I've had busier social periods but I'm in a lull for a couple of reasons.

So ... the question is ... Do you think more social people are generally happier?

[mir86]

haha, facebook makes everyone's social life look boring in comparison. I think a super crazy social life is depressing. You become obligated to all these people and run the risk of letting soemoen down.

[Kibbiekat]

I feel that way looking at FB sometimes too. I do feel like more social people are happier.

[Ceece]

Not necessarily. I know a couple of very social women, always doing things, places to go, people to see. Once I got to know them I discovered they have crappy marriages and just avoid ever going home.

BUT, I have discovered I am happier overall when I have social connections. I don't have to do stuff all the time, and sometimes the big days for get-togethers are the best ones to say at home. FB exaggarates things so much but since I have less than 30 "friends" on there I don't notice much.

[Yankees1212]

I feel that those in the middle--not on the polar opposites of the spectrum of being a loner or social butterfly-- are the most content. If you have no social life, I feel that one will inevitably become depressed and even jealous that they don't live a life of constant interaction, fun, and pleasure. These emotions are only intensified by facebook where still shots have the tendency to make it look like everyone around them is having fun. On the other hand, I feel that the proverbial "social butterfly" is one who is constantly looking to find him or herself and fills that void with constant social interaction. Kind of like the characters in the Sun Also Rises. So even though this obviously varies with each individual, those who can find the right balance between alone time (reading a book, surfing the web, watching tv) and social outings are probably the most content.

[Trimac20]

People who are socially fulfilled are happier. That is, they have the quantity and quality of social input that they need.

[Clintone]

Well, I think it depends...Usually, yes. Sometimes though, some of the most popular people may fall into a state where they have few genuine companions, and countless, sort of, unintentional parasites who the popular people continually strive to impress and recieve little to nothing back. This seems to particularly be the cases with some young women (the anorexics and bulimics...those pressured into sex, etc.) There are some advantages to being less social at times.

But everyone has a different level of socialization they want, and if they recieve that, they're definitely happier.

[Stumbler.]

Sociality -- could be a blessing, could be a curse!

[43north87west]

I think that people who are familiar with what they like and place themselves into society accordingly, are happier than people who try to fit into situations where they are uncomfortable.

[strawberrykiki]

I like a happy medium. If I sit at home alone too many days I get depressed. I love coming home after a fun day out with friends. On the other hand if I go out too many days I start to feel burnt out. I love an even mix of going out and staying in.