Making friends in Portland

[GreenMan50]

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

I think "I Vow To Thee My Beloved Country" (the Jupiter movement of "The Planets by Gustav Holst) should have been playing softly in the background of that last post. I am bemused when arrogant and boorish people get on a soapbox about how wonderful they are, shining examples of ambition and pride in a sea of slackers. Good grief. That is the real reason you don't have any friends. Just saying

And I am amused that the only self-righteous, boorish and arrogant person I've yet to come across on this board is you. Everyone here posts their opinions, both informed and otherwise . . . . and in case you didn't get that memo, that's the purpose of this board. Some members agree or disagree with my views (and that's okay), but you're the first one to go into a little hissy snit and publicly attack me.

Why is that? Well, you've now opened yourself up for a little online analysis. You've got it coming, so be an adult and eat your just desserts raw:

Clearly, your vicious assumptions about my character find their source in the insights and observations contained in my earlier post: they offended your fragile self-esteem and, therefore, your false self, your narcissism. My comment about the thriving slacker culture here in Oregon seems to have struck a very sensitive nerve in you. I take it that I'm addressing a charter member?

For the record, I have a wide circle of friendly acquaintances and a small base of genuine friends . . . . it's just that very few of them are west coasters. Perhaps if more Oregonians weren't so complacent, got off their asses and RECIPROCATED, instead of mooched off of others (you know, what psychologists call a vital part of any HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP) they would enjoy the benefits of true friendship with others.

[CanuckInPortland]

Generalizations are fun.

[Nell Plotts]

Friendships are formed in Portland based on common interests. Get out and participate in activities you enjoy and friendships with like minded Portlanders will be formed.

[Leisesturm]

Originally Posted by GreenMan50

For the record, I have a wide circle of friendly acquaintances and a small base of genuine friends . . . . it's just that very few of them are west coasters. Perhaps if more Oregonians weren't so complacent, got off their asses and RECIPROCATED, instead of mooched off of others (you know, what psychologists call a vital part of any HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP) they would enjoy the benefits of true friendship with others.

I am neither native nor am I a welfare slacker. And <gasp> I have friends. Your continued attacks on natives is very telling. I stand by my earlier remarks.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Originally Posted by FuturePortlander

........The one thing I am worried about is making new friends. ......... how can I meet people? I'm very active and enjoy exploring new parts. I would love to join a few sports teams. .......

If you enjoy outdoor activities, there are walking clubs, hiking clubs, skiing clubs, and mountain climbing clubs. If you fish, there are forums for fishermen where people sometimes get together.

A good way to meet people is to sign up for classes at the junior college. Sign up for the sort of class where people must interact. Foreign language is a good choice, and so are public speaking and art classes. If you do that, though, wait until you can enroll as a resident of Oregon. Out of state fees are huge.

You can volunteer. The local humane society is a good place, if you like animals. I don't know what is available in Portland, but in my area they have things like horseback riding for the handicapped and that requires a lot of volunteers.

I think that if you look on Craigslist, there is a section where club meetings and activities are announced.

[GreenMan50]

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

I am neither native nor am I a welfare slacker. And <gasp> I have friends. Your continued attacks on natives is very telling. I stand by my earlier remarks.

I never said you were a native, nor a welfare slacker, nor even friendless, for that matter.

Employing that feverish imagination of yours - unfettered as it no doubt is by the constraints of fairness, truth or fact - think of what you could accomplish if you didn't squander your time trolling this site picking arguments and stuffing words, prejudices and ideologies into the mouths of others. Your tone and approach gives the game away: what you don't say is far more telling than what you do. If the substance of what you say is fallacious, then the shrill, defensive way in which you proclaim it undermines what scant credibility you have left over in the aftermath of this debacle.

In summary, I demonstrated empathy towards another member of this forum and while doing so made an observation on a wider trend and pattern in our society - an insight of which is shared by several noted authors and activists. I did not attack anyone. My intent was clearly and manifestly focused on a constructive, supportive act of compassion and shared insights.

Based purely on the evidence and without any due provocation, you have charged in, flailed about and made a lot of spurious accusations and allegations regarding my character and, now, politics. The emphasis of your actions have been wholly divisive, petty, spiteful in intent and destructive towards maintaining a spirit of community.

It is people like yourself who have made the internet a moral no-man's land with your lack of good critical thinking, knee-jerk responses, narcissism and a total lack of empathy for anyone else's feelings or perspectives but your own. Learn to agree to disagree like a gentleman or a lady or be relegated to sit at the kiddie's table until you can learn to act like an adult.

So, in conclusion . . . . feel free to stand by your previous remarks. Please, double-down and do so with my blessing. You are merely exercising your Constitutionally protected right to act like a braying jackass. And in this you have the fellowship of legions of trolls, griefers and bullies here in the cold, amoral void that is cyberspace. Enjoy.