u/Burnt_Apple3232

The 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s, and 2010s seem so extroverted compared to now.

Everywhere you go almost 90% of people have massive noise canceling headphones on, earbuds. Of the remaining 10% half of them are looking into their phones.

Many people ambling with their heads down in the middle of a sidewalk unaware or too inconsiderate to acknowledge the other person coming their way.

Fully grown adults averting their eyes, seemingly afraid to acknowledge other human beings in public.

Small talk - a thing of the past most of the time, unless you come across older generations, and even then, half of them clearly are not interested.

Part of it is the New England and Boston area, sure, but something bigger is going on, because even the people in once extroverted regions seem impacted.

Is this real? What are we doing here when we can’t or are too afraid to interact with strangers? This seems unhealthy now. Can we all make an effort to open up a little and let our guard down for some small talk? It might just make a difference.

This is genuine - (edit: thanks for the legit responses it is appreciated)

All my friends either have kids or focus on work. This is it - literally nothing else.

This leaves things like…athletic clubs, that men-walk I see posted around here, work, and, dating?

There are other things, sure - concerts. The gym. Hobbies, those are easy.

In the end, is it just an age thing? Is it just this region and city? Age of internet and introvert culture? There doesn’t feel like many things to do here with people. Or maybe there technically is, but it feels almost impossible to amass a group of friends in proximity who interact regularly.

A combination of it’s all been done, straight guys are singular entities who focus on work, and maybe some other here and there’s like an art function…sports game…drinking is old at this age of course.

Does anyone relate to this? Like at some point it just seems like: get a SO and work. This is what every single guy I know this age does for the most part! Like we don’t socialize the way other demographics do. It is beginning to feel forced to try to do otherwise.

I’ve also tried interacting with my neighbors, inviting them over, but it’s mostly blank looks or not interested. I’ve gone to other membership athletic clubs (regularly) and notice people almost don’t talk to each other! At this stage in life it feels closer to, maybe just accept this fact of life.

Thanks for reading. What is your experience as part of this demographic?