Making online friends is relatively easy, thanks to social media, Discord channels, and MMORPGs. However, sometimes you just want to have a board game night with people who are in the same room as you. When it comes to making IRL friends as a nerd, things can be challenging, especially since many of us have gotten used to quarantining and social distancing. Check out these ways for nerds to make more in-person friends.
Get a Job in a Geek-Related Field
One way to make more local friends is through work. If you have a remote job, you might consider switching to something in-person. Some businesses that put you in proximity to other nerds include:
- Movie theaters
- Game stores
- Craft stores
- Book stores
- Graphic design
- Information technology
While there’s no one definition of “nerd” or “geek,” these jobs may help you meet coworkers or customers who share your interests. They tend to attract people interested in computers, creativity, entertainment, and games.
Go to Cons and Ren Faires
A “con” is shorthand for “convention” in the geek world. Conventions are places where people with geeky interests get to hang out, meet vendors and celebrities, and shop. Going to local cons is one way to rub elbows with people who share your interests and live nearby. Another route can be going to Ren Faires. These have a different vibe from conventions, but there’s a lot of overlap between people who are “Rennies” and con-goers.
Join or Start a Club
Clubs and organizations help build communities of like-minded people. If you’re looking to make friends with the same hobbies as you, check places like Facebook Groups and Meetup to see what hobby groups are in your area. And if you don’t see what you’re looking for, you can always make your own club. For example, you might start your own model train club to meet more people interested in model railroading.
Organize a Tournament
If you try all the other options on this list and they don’t work, you could try organizing a one-time event. Some bars and restaurants will happily let you schedule a geeky trivia night or video game tournament, as long as they can make money off the event.
As you can see, there are many ways for nerds to make more in-person friends. While there’s nothing wrong with having online friends, often it’s good to have friends in both worlds.
