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What do young people do nowadays in the evenings?

(15 Posts)
Grammaretto Sat 23-Apr-22 12:25:40

I host volunteers from around the world and the girl here now has just turned 19. Last night she asked me where she could go to find other young people, dance and listen to music.
I thought of all our local pubs and realised there isn't anywhere unless she caught a bus into the city, and a night bus home, and being by herself, I wasn't going to encourage that.
Today I asked people my age and we reminisced about youth clubs and dance halls of our youth.
What do young people have really?
My older DGC are just in their teens now so I am also thinking of them.
There seems to be a gaping hole to fill.

Galaxy Sat 23-Apr-22 12:42:38

Why cant she go to the pub? Or does she not drink?

Grammaretto Sat 23-Apr-22 12:49:51

The trouble is our local pubs are full of "old" men watching football on giant screens and going out for a smoke or are gastro-pubs with dressed up couples sitting and eating.

It's the music/dancing/socialising/ceilidh type places which are missing.
Maybe they exist in England?
Here in Scotland they don't at least not outside the cities.

Casdon Sat 23-Apr-22 12:50:52

As teens my two were in YFC, they meet every week and do all sorts of stuff, including discos etc.
Other options are dance and fitness classes which often run early evening, sports teams like netball, hockey, football etc., running clubs, walking groups etc.
Some pubs and cafes do board games nights too.
Mine did just often go to the pub too, but hard to do that if you’re on your own, do you know anybody of a similar age to go with her?

Grammaretto Sat 23-Apr-22 12:59:04

Your youngsters sound well sorted Casdon .
She didn't seem fazed by the idea of going alone but it was just where to?
I did actually ask a friend who was with her son if he would like to show her around but he mumbled something and seemed a bit cross. grin

Jaxjacky Sat 23-Apr-22 13:59:39

We have a lot of local pubs with live music, in the day I’d have gone on my own as my children used to/still do. If there’s a local college, perhaps they have or organise evening events?
Otherwise cinema, bowling or around each other’s houses, not much different from from my own youth, but it depends what’s in your area and it’s difficult doing the latter as she doesn’t know anyone.

paddyann54 Sat 23-Apr-22 14:01:00

My GC go you Youth Cafe in a small village in the West of Scotland from age around 10 to 18,theres a custom built park beside it with ramps for skateboarders or bikes .Dont know if theres dancing but I know theres a pool table ,because my 11 GD is top of the league on it and shes so chuffed with herself as a lot of the other players are a lot older than her .They are about 15 miles from the nearest town

Grayling Sat 23-Apr-22 14:18:01

Do you have a leisure/swimming pool centre in your town?
There is usually more going on there than swimming and she would meet people her own age who would know what else goes on. Most towns that I know off in Scotland have badminton, tennis clubs, etc. Your local library should have a list of these.

BlueBelle Sat 23-Apr-22 14:53:23

It’s keeping them in that’s the problem for my guys ???
But the problem is what does ANY girl do in a strange place a strange country and no known friends
My guys all go to gigs raves ( if that’s what they call them now) pubs and clubs
The problem for you is you sound in a small town or village environment and the girl knows no one so she will struggle

As she’s a volunteer isnt she working with other volunteers Next time you take a teenager take two

AreWeThereYet Sat 23-Apr-22 15:08:39

Are there any evening classes nearby she can sign up for to meet people?

Callistemon21 Sat 23-Apr-22 15:23:38

But the problem is what does ANY girl do in a strange place a strange country and no known friends and on her own too

Pubs around here have a music scene but this is a smaller town and it's not far to walk into town, it's not like travelling into the city on her own.

Mine went travelling years ago with one or more friends, not on their own.

Callistemon21 Sat 23-Apr-22 15:24:53

How's her English? Can she join an EFL class where she might meet others?

M0nica Sat 23-Apr-22 15:53:23

It is easy to talk about a 'music scene' but music in pubs and other venues theses days is more various than it has ever been and you need to know exactly what kind ofmusic she is into and where she can hear that kind of music.

Ironically the best way to get to know people in a new area, is to volunteer to help with some project. If she is already avolunteer, why ian't she finding people to go out with in theevening there? Usually projects to enlist foreign volunteers go to great lengths to provide a social scene as well.

Grammaretto Sun 24-Apr-22 13:12:08

It is her last day volunteering with me. We both went out to explore the city last night and found 4 pubs which were either serving folk music, piped music or the final one, the student union bar - a nice quiet atmosphere where we could hear ourselves speak.

She doesn't already know any youngsters here and I don't know of any volunteer programmes where social activities are arranged unless you are thinking of something for much younger children or a Christian summer camp? M0nica

Nannashirlz Sun 24-Apr-22 15:07:48

When I was her age if I wasn’t at work I’d be in pub with my friends. And I never drank maybe she got a hobby she likes doing she can join a class or join a group online friends in your area