When did you last meet someone you’d never met before?

On holiday a few weeks ago. We often make friends on holiday (ie group tours) and sometimes keep in touch via email, facebook etc. Also enjoyed meeting new people recently at a GN meetup!

I was on a park and ride bus going into town an got chatting to a lady who was visiting the area. We got off at different stops and I thought that’s it. On the way home we both caught the same bus and once again chattered none stop and exchanged emails and tel number. We are going to meet up again.

When I was working I frequently met new people and many of them became regular contacts over many years. Meeting somebody new happens much less often now that I’m retired. It’s an aspect of retirement that I hadn’t considered until now. However, it may be that the people I meet now become more important and meaningful contacts in my life, as work contacts were often just work contacts.

I am a foster carer to an 11 year old child with special needs. Last week I met a new social worker. I also met a different one two weeks before. I have to go on training courses and so meet other carers some I have met before but sometimes new ones too. It is nice to meet new people to keep life interesting.

I met lots of people this afternoon at a friends 60 birthday celebration, it was hard work, I’m very shy so feel socially inept

Today! I went on a one day painting course and met 5 new ladies. No lasting friendship options but new people to talk to for a while

it was just fantastic!

I joined a walking group and one of the lovely things is that you find yourself walking and talking and then just as easily walking on your own for a bit and enjoying the scenery and the fresh air. It's very different from sitting opposite someone having coffee and making conversation. It's a lovely way to build up friendships slowly.
I think I come across as chatty but I am actually quite shy.

Made a new friend when I was in hospital a few months ago ...on the same ward and same illness, found we had lots in common and lived quite close to each other and have struck up a friendship. More recently met a lady when I was sat on a seat in our local park...she and her husband were just moving here .....relocating for work. Ended up going for coffee together and exchanging phone numbers...possible new friendship.

I volunteer at a food bank and meet new people (other volunteers) there all the time. I don’t think I’ll socialise with them but they’re very nice people.
As far as making new friends goes I’ve made a few recently (younger than me) and it’s such a lovely thing!
Not relevant to the OP but a few days ago I met up with an old friend I haven’t seen for years and it wasn’t just fantastic!

I attend a regular adult education class. Every term some people leave and new people start so I do get to know them more than the casual chat on a day out.
I think I have brief chats with far more new people now I'm retired than I did working as then I was usually only at work or at home. Now I have time and energy to go to lots of places.

I looked it up very interesting term. Think i might start using it! Can i ask how bodach is pronounced?

Last time meeting someone new for me is about 4 years ago. Casual friends now but it has been a bit of hard work as like me cautious of new people so not very chatty at first.

Sorry for being daft - what is a Bodach?

5 years ago, met another grandma in the park whilst watching grandchildren on swings. She drained the life out of me eventually, last time I’ll pick up someone in the park!

If we go for a walk through the park we often see people we know from our road or that area, they all have dogs and as we can’t have a dog in our apartment (in the lease) we stop and chat and make a fuss of the dogs.
We often meet newcomers to the park.

I met a new lady last week at our Meet Up group, I frequently meet new people as I go out shopping (I'm the one that chats to the assistant). New Dentist yesterday (emergency appointment resulting in tooth extraction).

I moved 3 years ago to a new area so I have made a point of creating a new social circle. I belong to two Meet Up groups so often meet new people, some are becoming good friends. I too will talk to any-one despite being very shy. It's projecting an image but by being friendly & smiling I find people respond. I am still in the fortunate position that I can drive (at the moment), enjoy exploring, love meeting new people & still have enough mobility to get about.

I can talk to anyone while my husband doesn't. Living abroad you are quite often friendly with people you may not have been with in the UK. Late last year we went to a funding raising dinner and met a new couple there. We get on really well together and our working backgrounds are very similar. In fact we meet up at least weekly for a meal and went away together last weekend. It's good for my DH as since he has been diagnosed with PTSD many friends don't really understand it.

Gosh, Kitty - huge respect for you. A really meaningful job you do. It's like being a carer too - showing thought for those other carers.

“All of which” not “both” -clearly can’t count !

I find that going to things on my own is actually much more conducive to meeting new people than going with a partner or a friend. So things like NADFAS or my Art History or Literature class have all opened up my circle of acquaintances , some of whom have become friends.
I am also that “annoying woman” who likes to talk to people at the Theatre, opera, ballet or cinema, both of which I am happy to go to on my own if nobody else feels like going with me. Occasionally people even talk back (!) and I have had some interesting interval conversations.
Surprising really as deep down I am very shy, as was my late father, but he too would strike up a conversation anywhere and everywhere!

As others have said, quiz nights and voluntary work for Sams.
Being quite gregarious, I strike up friendships fairly easily, some last years, some more like ships that pass in the night. All of them enrich my life.

I meet new people quite often through the U 3A - by joining an interest group which may be only a few people, there is the chance for acquaintances to develop into friends, but it takes time and nothing can replace a friendship that goes back to your schooldays, if you are lucky enough to still have one.

Well the OP just talks about meeting new people. I assume it means talking to people other than those that make up our immediate life.

It is easy, to potter around at home, especially when you have a partner. Nip to the shop. speak to the assistant you know, walk back, meet people you know, return home. Outing done, home for the rest of the day - and repeat. never seeing a new face.

I am currently doing a class about the countryside. Until yesterday, just lectures in a classroom. A brief word to to the person sitting either side of you but mostly communication with the lecturer, whom I have known for 40 years. But yesterday we had a field trip. I chatted to a number of fellow students and then gave a couple of Chinese women a lift back to Oxford so that they didn't have wait ages for the bus. We had a really interesting conversation for the half hour the journey took and I will probably join them and chat with them next week when we are back in the classroom.

Went on a coach trip with a lovely lady from my dancing group. We sort of knew each other but have never been out together before. We had a very nice day and hope to see more of each other , then in the dancing group.

Spoke to a lady in M&S at the lunch counter. She had just finished chemo treatment for ovarian cancer. We had a chat about her illness and I wished her well.

I would like to make more friends but somehow, I feel more comfortable with those I've known for years. Not great where change is concerned!

I started learning a new language a while ago and found it very easy to find language exchange partners - sincere and educated people desperate to practise their English and teach me their language. I am now on Skype most evenings chatting sociably with people who are now old friends - I see far more of them than locals, and they are all ages too. It is much easier for English speakers to find decent language partners than vice versa, as there are a lot of bored Englishmen just looking for sex. But the whole world needs help with speaking English.