Hi all!

It seems this UK forum isn't particularly active, but I was wondering how many of "us" there are. I actually don't mind if other Brits want to chime in/be friendly, but I would like to know how many people are genuinely about to befriend others with similar interests, not just sh*g about.

I'm from the outskirts of Manchester (hence the title) and I'd naturally like to develop friendships up this way, but I'm not closed to meeting friends from other regions too at some point since I do eventually plan to move further south (outskirts of London) after my degree, if my current plans work out.

A lot could change over the next couple of years so, who knows?

In case you want an abridged version of who I am without reading my profile:
*I'm 29 years old
*I'm an Open University student studying English language and literature whilst picking up random courses through government run schemes and FutureLearn (a partnership between OU and 'local' universities).
*I currently work in hospitality, but I'd like a cushy 9-5 job as that would fit in nicely with my course/social needs (suggestions welcome).
*I'm a little artsy, what with my love of literature, writing and occasional attempts at drawing and painting.

My favourite area in Manchester is the Northern Quarter.
My favourite bar in Manchester is FabCafe.

Share a little about you and where you're from!

Kelly.

You'd be nearer to me then.

Daaahn sarf?

Good one.

I'm not interested in making friends, I just want the flesh. But you seem real nice so I'd be willing to play the waiting game. I don't think we have much in common though, not that it matters. The way I see it, if you want friendship you can have girlfriends for that.

Unless you have a tendency to not get on with "girlfriends", which is the case here. I definitely do not have a good track record with them. I don't fit in cliques, for a start. It goes way back to primary school and even now in my current workplace. I don't really care about the clique thing though, so I won't be losing any sleep over it.

And I'm afraid I'm not really one for giving my flesh to someone I have nothing in common with. Thanks for the thought though XD

I wonder why that is. Are you argumentative? A tomboy perhaps?

No, not really. I'm not really a girly-girl, I guess. But I've had those tomboy girlfriends before. They're not much different, just less talk of makeup (which is fine by me). I think it's mostly that I don't really go for the whole bitching and gossiping thing, which isolates me from about 90% of the women I meet. It's really a matter of finding the right fit with the 10%. I've had girlfriends I got on with for a while, but we just grew apart.

I think the main problem up here is that many of the girls I meet are stuck in that vicious cycle where they're almost feeling pressured to settle down but aren't happy with their life/partner/job. I'm a "if you don't like it, change it" kind of person, which has pissed some of the girlfriends off. Apparently it's OK for them to moan about disliking things, but it's not OK for me to offer suggestions on how to problem-solve. I am a clear reminder of the mentality they don't have and are scared to try (sticking with what they know seems preferable to an outcome they can't predict).

I'll stick with the guy friends. I do miss female company outside of work though.

I think the best course of action is to get out into the world and involved in activities I enjoy and seeing who I come across. I just don't really have the time for that with my current shift patterns. :(

Way to go. So many people are scared of isolation and will do anything to prevent it. Isolation is the way to individualism. Or madness...

Alright troops? Well i'm from Glasgow, but I did my apprenticeship down in London, after I left 6th year at School. My Aunt stays down there and that's where I met my sons mum too. Broke up with her and had to bring my boy up myself. So we moved back to Scotland. My sons 22 now and working as an accountant, down Canary Wharf, inLondons Docklands. I've got my own Roofing company that I started 2 years ago and I employ 4 of my mates now. Anyway, that's me - Jon.

@red6mist: Can I be both?

@Jon: What did you miss most about Scotland when you were in London? I know I'll miss all the trees of the north since we're about 5/10 minutes drive from woodland. There's a few parks scattered about through London though, right?

I missed square sliced sausage, tattie scones, going for a wee drive here, as there is some stunning scenery around where I stay. Getting a laugh and a joke with my mates also? It's never the same getting a laugh in London, as it is getting one with your mates, who are tried and tested and know everything about you. My family also, my football team Celtic. I used to drive back to Glasgow, every couple of weeks for home games and an excuse for a saturday night out with the lads. London, is ok, but more hustle and bustle than Manchester. Keep your wits about you down there though Lost?

Square sausage! I wonder if it's the same stuff we used to have has kids... just basic sausage meat, without out the skin, formed into squares?

What are tattie scones though? I've heard the expression, but I'm unsure of what they are.

I don't have many of those tried and tested friends these days, so I know the relocating thing won't be an issue. I'd just have to return every once and a while to appease The Mothership and Stepdad.

Thank you for the advice though, I'll certainly take it on board :D

Hi I was born in Manchester bit moved to Scotland when I was on primary two. I love going back to see relatives. I also love seeing how diffrent England looks compared to Scotland, I think it's the red bricks houses in Manchester.
On the topic of isolation, I hate the thought of having no one to care about me. I had very few friends before I started college so I was a little isolated from the usual things teens do and now I have them im still a little overwhelmed by how much they actually care about how I am.

There seems to be a lot of people on these forums who run off to Scotland. Do we smell? XD

I can imagine it is nice have a pretty solid group of people rallying around you and you'd not want to leave them behind.

What have you got against intimate encounters? I was going to send you lots of saucy messages.

haha. Thanks for the thought. I have nothing against them, I'm just not in the mood for one. Plus, the people who usually state they want intimate encounters have no interest in an actual conversation and I don't really go for sex-chat. xP

Anybody from lancashire hee

Hey group. Im Ian, originally from Devon and now living in Durham. I came here for college and liked it so I stayed. Im looking for someone special and online friends to chat with.
What I miss about Devon is the wide open countryside, Dartmoor and warmer winters

another northern quarter regular here, shame about the hipsters

I actually quite like it - adds colour! We're fortunate enough to be a place where people can pretty much wear or be what they want and have to deal with nothing more than a bit of eye-rolling at them. That's one of the things I love about Manchester. It may not be 'our' cup of tea, but there's lots of interesting people to look at if you're into people-watching.