So, is everyone on here friends?

[teenster3]

Blowing off some steam here...
Is this a place where many people come to chat to one another? Or, do you just have your selected people that you talk to and that's it?
It seems that many times I try to get advice,it's either just looked over several times (and that's ok) or if I'm lucky a few people will respond. Sometimes, I'm just looking for someone to talk to. I try to jump in when I've either experienced something or think a picture is cute or whatever. I just feel that this isn't a very "warm" environment. I even signed up for the gift swap (never even hearing or knowing much about it). Now, I'm starting to wonder if I should have. I'm not trying to feel sorry for myself. Maybe there's just not many people in my age group (late 20's) on here.
Hmmm.....well, I've been trying & now that I've signed up,I intend to keep my name in the swap and fullfill my part of the agreement. I just hope that goes well.

[Kfamr]

I'm rather confused by what you mean.
Personally, i've never even seen any threads made by you. And maybe that's my fault, although I do view and try to respond to mostly everyone's threads.

Some of my bestfriends on here are in their late 30's, and i'm only 16. Just stay around for a while, share your pets with us, and i'm sure you'll make alot of friends.

Pretty much, everyone's friends with everyone here.



BTW, I'm here if you'd ever like to talk.
also, I really appreciate you signing up for the Gift Swap.

[Aspen and Misty]

Originally posted by Kfamr
I'm rather confused by what you mean.
Personally, i've never even seen any threads made by you. And maybe that's my fault, although I do view and try to respond to mostly everyone's threads.

Ditto. I try to respond to everyone's threads. But I also have seen no threads made by you (that I can re-call).

Signing up for the gift swap was a good idea. It will help you to get to know and become closer to the person you send the gift to.

I am also 16 like Kay and I have to agree, some of my more closer friends on here are older.

Just keep posting. Post lots and lots! Thats my biggest tip. Also, people LOVE when you comment on there pets. And although it may not seem like it, people do notice when you post.

Ash

[lbaker]

It took me awhile to feel "part" of PetTalk, it seemed like everyone knew everyone's real name and I had no clue. Don't fret.. it comes with the time you put in I guess. We do support our own a bit more than "newbies" maybe, but everyone welcomes everyone - if that makes sense.. Sometimes it's days between when I come onboard and I miss alot, it doesn't mean you are being ignored. We are a very large family and you are welcome to it!
Laurie
By the way, I'm in my upper 50's but have met Ash and several other PT'ers at meetings and that's the BEST way to become real friends. If it can be managed. * hi Ash *

[Pam]

I'm sorry you feel that way because this really is a very friendly board. I don't think I have ever read one of your posts but would certainly like to in the future! I am in the same age group as Laurie, and I do believe that there are more folks here your age than us "older gals." (Sorry Laurie! LOL!) Stick around and I know you will grow to love it here. Us Pet Talkers love pictures so if you could post a few it would help us get to know you quicker. Sometimes it helps to place a furry face with a human so we can make that "family connection." Once again, my apologies to you for feeling left out. Please stick around.

[lynnestankard]

Teenster sorry you're feeling 'left out'. Stick with it and you'll soon feel one of the family! I must admit I'm a 'cat' person and tend to only go to the Cat section and General - oh and if I remember Dog House on Thursday for a chat in the pub! (Darn - I forgot last night!)
Please stay with us and I hope the 'newie' feeling soon wears off!

WELCOME.

Lynne

[anna_66]

Well I wouldn't say everyone on here is friends but one thing we all do have in common is our love for our pets

I looked back at some of your posts but didn't see you mention the names of your dogs (but then I seen them in your profile-duh). For me that's one thing that really helps me remeber people and their pets is hearing their names. Do you have any pictures of Wicket and Waffles? As I'm sure you know by now we just adore pictures too

I'm glad you signed up for the gift swap, maybe that will help you feel more like part of the group & get to know people.
I think you just need to post more (ok maybe not as much as me-I'm a big blabbermouth), that also helps.

Hope to see you around more

[Katiesmom]

I don't know I have been here for about 6 months now and haven't made one friend and I have posted but I still like it around here....I love to read the post and look at the pics....So I just don't post much anymore don't see much use in it...sometimes I posted to get things off my chest and sometimes I posted hoping to make friends but that never happened so I pretty much stay in the background lurking around.....

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

I have loads of really great friends here, and most of them are not in my age group. PT IS a great place, but it does sometimes take a while to feel at home. Not sure if anyone else agrees with me, but I have found the boards have been VERY quiet lately!!

I may not have seen too many of your posts, as I tend to "skim" through general and spend most of my time on the "Cat Side" as I have two cats (I notice you have two dogs - so we probably havent bumped into each other much!)

KEEP POSTING!!

[sirrahbed]

Hi Teenster,
I can understand the feeling It does take awhile to get to know people and many have been here a LONG time! Some have even met in person! I tend to stay in Cat General myself since all I have is cats - but coming here to General has been great to meet new people. Already you have some good advice-
1) admire people's pets with a comment - everyone likes that! and it isn't hard to do with all the cute ones here!!!
2) if you can, help us get to know YOUR pets - either with stories or pictures.
3) one thing I do is actually keep a list of screen names and as I learn real names I write them down with notes about which pet belongs to which person and what their age is, etc
4) *I* am 49
5) the gift swap was a great idea! I never did that before either and I am also signed up.
6) I have been here almost a year and I still don't know very many people
7) start a brand new thread or poll! That is always fun

[cali]

I think what she means is that some people can post something and get 30 replies in 1 hour, while other can post something and maybe, just maybe get 2 replies. I have noticed it a lot too, only certain people get replies while others are all but ignored.

[teenster3]

I have to agree with "Katiesmom" on this one but, I don't only want to "lurk around" in the background. I agree it's great to comment on someone's pet. Or when people even ask for prayers, I will respond not even knowing them & they seem to appreciate that. All that I'm asking for is, to get the same respect as someone that has been on here for a long time. It just seems like when someone you know writes it's easier to respond right? That's fine too. But, what about us who ARE new that do not have any "friends" here. I'm just speaking for myself here but, you tend to feel a little left out. (like your story isn't as important)
Some of you have said that you haven't seen my threads. That's ok but, obviously I have made some attempts & there have been times like I said, that people will respond, like here!
I don't know maybe I'm getting too wrapped up in this. I just thought it'd be nice to chat with people you don't see every day & maybe click with someone, blow off some steam, etc!

[teenster3]

Thank you "Cali".....
That's exactly what I feel a great deal of the times that I post. Now I know it's true because, many of you haven't seen a thing I posted and some of them were "BIG" issues to me! (dog abuse, my dad having prostate cancer, what to do about my dog's nose, etc.) I have even done polls, asked questions to get people to open up. Yet still, many people "look" but, don't say a word. How am I going to meet anyone or "get to know you" if you don't even respond???

[teenster3]

blah blah blah.....see I can really talk when given the chance.
Just wanted to add....I LOVE the pictures all your pets!!!!! I don't have any pictures yet, still have to learn how to do that.

[Randi]

teenster3, don't give up yet. When I joined PT, I started with a thread about rescuing cats, and soon after, I got replies. I was thrilled about it, as I'd never been on a Forum before.

Within a month or two, I started getting PM's and got to know people a little better. Of course, you'll always get to know the ones best who have the same animals, or interests as yourself, but that's just fine - so keep on posting and tell about yourself and your pets!

If you want to talk to memebers about your own age, take a look at this thread where members tell what age they are.

What age?

There are a few more.

Also, if you see someone post and you feel "connected" because of the same interests etc. you can always send them a PM and see what happens.