How do I make make friends/connections here?
I’m originally from New Brunswick, but I moved to Charlottetown for college 4 years go and have decided to stay. I’ve made a few friends here, but I’ve also been trying to meet more people and find more of a community.
Lately I’ve been spending more time in cafes because I feel like the people who hang around coffee shops, galleries, and similar spaces are more my crowd. I became a regular at Leonhard’s, The Shed, and Receiver.
Leonhard’s is nice but usually packed, so it’s hard to find a seat on the days I’m available to go. The Shed is alright, but I’m not huge on the coffee. Receiver is probably my favourite overall for coffee and baked goods, but I’ve noticed a certain vibe there too. It feels very trendy — one of my coworkers described it as a “to see and be seen” kind of place and that’s why she stopped going.
The staff were mostly polite and personable, but even after going there regularly from September to February, sometimes twice a week, I still felt like a complete stranger every time unlike the other cafes back home where they would at least initiate small talk and remember my order. Meanwhile other regulars at Receiver would come in and immediately sit down and chat with staff and other people. There’s nothing wrong with that obviously, but it did make me feel a bit on the outside looking in, especially when I did initiate conversation with no luck. Honestly, the staff and regulars seem like the kind of people I’d naturally get along with, which made it feel a little more disappointing.
One of my friends even had a crush on one of the baristas, so getting her to come wasn’t difficult, but eventually we both stopped going months ago because her schedule changed and I didn’t really feel like going alone.
I’ve started realizing that it can be hard as a 20-something to break into social circles on PEI. People are friendly, and I’ve gone to events, cafes, shops, and other community spaces, but friendliness doesn’t always translate into actual friendship. I know it’s not impossible, but it definitely feels harder here sometimes. Anyone got any tips or have had a similar experience?