How do I make friends?

I worked in a similar environment and tended to be excluded. It wasn't too bad until my husband walked out on me and suddenly I was quite isolated. I don't know how I did it, possibly a Google search, I joined Meetup. I know it started up in the USA by single people. I joined it and then searched for local groups. It was a bit daunting when I went along but I found people to talk to me. I am a nervous person & it was difficult at first but I have found friends along the way. I hope you are able to find friends, and I fully understand how difficult it is xxx

Why not join an organisation that raises funds for good causes? Rotary, Roundtable, Lions. All have female members. That way you could do something for others and make social friends. Have you thought about looking for other work - or speak to your line manager. As I think your work environment is having a detrimental impact on your wellbeing.

Do you enjoy walking? If so Ramblers or HF holidays are really good for people on their own. And evryone is generally very friendly. I know lots of people who have made friends through meeting them on walking holidays..

How about joining the Red Hatters? Really good fun with lots of activities to join in. I've just joined a chapter here in UK, but I understand it is very popular in US

I'd certainly recommend group learning one one setting or another, whether it be bridge, or a musical instrument, or a sport such as kayaking. It's a much better basis for making relationships than work, you get a good idea of how people function and whether you want them as friends, and you get something from it anyway in the course of learning. Don't forget you have to put yourself out to be a friend in the first place, it doesn't work just to wait for someone to befriend you. Keep it low-key, just asking someone to go for a coffee a few times is better than asking them home straight away, then you have some control if the friendship doesn't turn out as you hoped. Good luck!

Exclusion is definitely a form of bullying. They aren't really worth trying to get to know better.
In the UK there is a register of associations that can give ideas of the sort of things people can join and local libraries have piles of information about voluntary groups and local clubs.
It can take a long time to make friends at these kinds of things so you need to find something that you are interested in for its own sake.
Are there any night classes or weekend classes that you could take?
If you can knit or crochet there are often groups that meet up. If you google 'knitting for charity US' you would probably find one.
I think people have to know more about your interests out of work to really discuss it fully.

Definitely try to make friends outside of work. Work colleagues are people you 're just with because you happen to work in the same place. Quite often you have nothing else in common with them.
Join a couple of classes or maybe sign up to do some voluntary work. Xxx

Are you American by birth? I'm only asking because you say your family are all in the UK, which makes me wonder whether you were born in the UK, but settled in the US because you married an American. If that's the case, would you consider moving back to the UK? Or even if that's not the case, would relocating here be something you'd like or are able to do?

If the UK is your homeland you might feel more able to make friends here and at least you would have your family around for support and friendship.

Oh Flowergran I had the same treatment at my work. I'm not a good mixer but I do like to be nice to people. It got worse when a lady older than me retired and I was the next in line. I wasn't 'included' and I think it's a form of bullying but very hard to explain. How close are you to retiring? I was working past my retirement age and at the age of 67 realised I couldn't take it any more and retired. I have not regretted that decision for one second and I also realise they were never 'friends'.

Sounds familiar Flowergran. Making friends in new places is So Hard. I'm frequently informed how busy people are - they have friends and family from years of living in the same place. Agree with other suggestions but don't expect much to happen fast. I belong to an excellent U3A reading group but have not exactly made friends with anyone there although all interesting people. Don't think others socialise outside the group either so not excluded - they're just Busy. Good luck - I'll think of you as I make another overture to someone!

I'd recommend learning Bridge. Give it a term or two of lessons.
It's a fascinating card game, challenging, two paiR's at a table. You'll meet lots around the hobby and it puts you in company and usually you find yourself getting along withe some who turn out to be friends. You can learn nd ply at lots of levels, pkay at a club or at home.

That sounds like such hard work day in , day out . I agree with Daphne work friends are not real friends because often you find once you don't have work in common you have nothing in common.

I definitely think making friends outside work is the way to go. What do you like to do ? I know crafting is big in the US, so if you enjoy that sort of thing why not seek out a like minded group. There often older members there. Or take a class or two at Michaels or Hobby Lobby.

Church is often very social in the US . Maybe if you feel like joining some likeminded faith based groups or a local church?

If all else fails.... What about online groups......like us

Where do you live? Why not join a Gransnet meet up if one happens near you ? They are great for making new friends.I have met at least five who I can call friends (I hope !)

The place where you work sounds unpleasant. Is there any chance of working somewhere else?
That sort of atmosphere, day in day out would be wearing to anyone.

I appreciate how hard that must be. Would you be better looking for actual friends away from the workplace so that you have different company to look forward to outside of work? Now that I have retired I realise work colleagues were never real friends, and yes I was older than most of them too.
I am thinking perhaps a hobby, sport, church, volunteering in a hospital or hospice, a walking group, a book group or gardening club.
These may be wildly off the mark for you, but "friends" can turn up in the unlikeliest places - sometimes when you least expect to make them
Good luck