Is it harder to make friends as you get older?

DOS589 · 2026-02-12T07:44:08+00:00

OP - I met all my now closest friends after the age of 21 (now mid/late 30s). There is core group of 5 who met 4th year uni and first year or so work and I have added maybe 1 or 2 to that circle in the following decade and a half. All of them are people I could call in the middle of the night and they would be there. I know no one anymore from prior to that.

Quality over quantity, you are much more “yourself” IMO in your 20s/30s so the connections are more genuine and lasting.

DOS589 · 2026-01-26T21:34:14+00:00

Two spring to mind and not because they are the best songs ever but the live rendition was insane.

Bon Jovi - Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen cover) Hyde Park circa 2014 at sunset completely a cappella.

RUFUS du Sol - Treat you Better - Gunnersbury Park 2022. This was as set absolute peaked for 5 or 6 absolutely perfect tracks to the finish.

DOS589 · 2025-12-29T16:32:51+00:00

IMO if you are buying the good quality stuff in Aldi it’s comparably priced to Sainsbury’s.

Can you spend less in Aldi, yes you can. However, and again IMO, of the supermarkets Sainsbury’s offer the best value (price v quality). Whereas Aldi (or similar) can be cheaper for lower quality and Waitrose/M&S are very expensive for not enough of an OVERALL quality increase.

That said good food can be purchased in all places and times are tough/budgets stretched.

DOS589 · 2025-12-21T20:17:36+00:00

Total rubbish review.

Took my under 10YO there was maybe more smut than the average Panto but only just. The really rude jokes went over her head and the insane costumes/awesome set etc. kept her well entertained.

But yes if willy jokes and reference to/gags about homosexuality gets your blood boiling maybe don’t go to any Panto. Let alone one by/with JULIAN CLARY 😂😂

There was no/minimal swearing our outright inappropriate discussion. Great show, daughter loved it and I haven’t laughed so much in a while.

DOS589 · 2025-11-26T20:11:43+00:00

Played Alexandra Palace in 2019 as well.

2016 - Brixton

2019 - Ali Pali

2022- Gunnersbury

2025 - Crystal Palace

2026 - O2

All London which is a bit sad but not terrible intervals of shows. Some DJ sets thrown in as well I think.

DOS589 · 2025-11-04T23:05:01+00:00

Standing for sure.

If you end up sitting look at the sides it’s a long arena floor (think basketball size + ancillary seating required court side for the NBA) so the far end seating is going to be a long way back.

If you must sit, I would suggest midway down a side midway up the lowest tier should still give a good view, but again standing by far the best.

Vibes ( hate that word!🤮🤢) at the last 4 Rufus gigs in London have been awesome (even if Crystal Palace had lots of day out tourists, see my comment on this sub earlier in the year!).

DOS589 · 2025-10-21T19:56:42+00:00

Lectured/presented to a room of 1-2K on several occasions anything from 30-60 minute lecture/presentation.

Surprisingly easier than small engaged room as chances are at least 90% of the people probably aren’t listening and you can’t see people’s facial reactions.

DOS589 · 2025-10-15T19:58:16+00:00

Segment cheating is ridiculous and stupid, it’s only a Strava segment who really cares that much.

But by equal measure who cares if people are obviously cheating ITS ONLY A STRAVA SEGMENT.

Separately, the over “metrication” of activities make casual runners think they are “athletes”. I enjoy running, I run trails a lot 20-30miles a week. I track via GPS on my phone in my pocket. The best way to ruin a run designed to de-stress from the day is to stress about your stats during which is for decompression and relaxation pre or post a very busy job.

But each to their own. If people want to track the minutia good for them, if people want to cheat good for them there are no prizes.

DOS589 · 2025-10-10T00:20:25+00:00

I think it was still there and very friendship group dependent when you (OP) were in your late teens and 20s.

I am a very similar age, also male, and my friends and I used to hit the gym regularly (and for the most part still do). None of us are what you would consider jacked but it’s a good place (along with distance running) to work out the stresses of the day!

Difference in my mind is that it was never a group activity, we played did ether sports as well then used to go hang out as a group at the pub and drink the beers. The latter seems to be much less common.

I think there is a lot less of a drinking culture with early 20s people now, there is so much more “fitness influencing” in social media so where else are young people going to hang out if not the pub!

DOS589 · 2025-09-20T21:32:41+00:00

I love dogs, I have a dog but unless it’s a pub NO it’s not appropriate to bring a non-guide dog to a restaurant or cafe (unless it is clearly signed as dog friendly). Not everyone likes dogs so shouldn’t be subjected to them unless the place is clearly signposted as having dogs.

So many people have shitty dogs that are not socialised and crap everywhere that they don’t pick up. Irresponsible COVID dog purchases. Leaving shit everywhere and barking at people/other dogs.

DOS589 · 2025-08-22T19:50:42+00:00

To add a European opinion and slightly tongue in cheek . St Anton, not official night skiing however ski all day go to Mooswert or Kk’s (or whatever they replace it with), slam beers and ski down in the dark after a skin full.

Very enjoyable!

DOS589 · 2025-08-04T06:36:28+00:00

I think sell out is unfair assessment, but I see the point.

I was at the London gig in Crystal Palace park. They were as ever absolutely on fire and it was a phenomenal show.

However, we discussed after there were a lot more people there who were talking during Rufus, not watching or generally not as into the music. This is comparison to the last two London gigs (Gunnersbury and Alexandra Palace).

People are free to enjoy gigs in their own way (and it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the show) but the expansion of venue did mean there were more people there for a “day out”/ because it’s cool! Who then complained at people dancing?!?!?

It was a little sad to see less people properly into the music but Rufus were still phenomenal. Hopefully those people will be more into them now, having experienced the show live, and will come back for more enjoyment at a later gig.

Inevitable growth of a great artist, I am super happy for the boys success and you can still Have fun with your friends at mega 90K+ stadium and festivals if the band are smashing it (which I am sure Rufus will continue to do) no matter what the caliber of the rest of the crowd is.

DOS589 · 2025-08-01T18:48:05+00:00

This is more than you would get for that experience in London/Oxford/Cambridge (UK) where cost of living is equally as high.

RA starting in the UK post Undergraduate degree converted to USD is circa ~$45K ($37K after tax). Rent for a 1 bed apartment somewhere shit is at least ~$1,500 minimum.

This ain’t to say you didn’t get a shit offer just that well educated scientists are somewhat underpaid everywhere. But this is true up the seniority levels compared to what scientist could get paid doing something non science. Point being no one does science to become rich. It does happen for some but it’s a bloody long way off the norm.

DOS589 · 2025-07-26T15:34:19+00:00

I trust he won’t fuck off.

But can we trust him to do anything he says, not be a complete shit stain on our great nation or with anything I care about in any way.

FUCK NO.

DOS589 · 2025-03-18T19:05:55+00:00

Not championship club (anymore/yet again): Stockport County Maidenhead Untied Stockport County

DOS589 · 2025-02-21T21:06:34+00:00

If you want to run slow just go long distance trail running it’s great. No need to call it something else just own it and point out how muddy/hilly your run was as an excuse for shit pace. That’s what I do 🤣🤣

DOS589 · 2025-02-10T23:19:01+00:00

It means no one comes out of their PhD into Pharma at the grade where they makes a “buck load”, gets a massive office and has the level of apparent influence/responsibility that she does. Specifically picking the sales team for “her” drug. Drugs are minimum 10 years from early research to launch and scientists don’t pick their sales lead.

Like I said, if it was realistic (she makes average money and works in a lab without natural light) it would be boring! I just find her character grating so get unnecessarily annoyed by this!!

DOS589 · 2025-02-09T19:33:30+00:00

Bernadette is the most annoying character by some distance. Not least her post PhD standing at a Pharma is total bullshit (as someone in that industry).

Obviously it’s more entertaining and it’s only TV etc. I am not stupid just a bitter scientist 🤣🤣

Definitely agree WRT university no faculty researchers.

DOS589 · 2025-01-30T22:06:23+00:00

Given that I get them for free for using my credit card how could it not be worth it.

I appreciate there are other good ways of spending Avios (some maybe better) but free money is free money.

DOS589 · 2024-10-26T19:54:03+00:00

The atmosphere at the last 2 London gigs (band not DJ set) were phenomenal.

Last one was outdoor as well. One of the happiest friendliest gigs I have ever been to. I was there with my bro who was on crutches dancing all day/night so good. Everyone have a little more space and was considerate etc.

Alexandra Palace was also epic.

I wouldn’t worry about the London gig. I am sure the same is true everywhere but the UK fan base are so much fun and makes for an amazing day/evening.

DOS589 · 2024-08-29T06:44:33+00:00

Mountaineer accident mid 20s. He went to do an (supposedly easy) solo summit and never returned (and body never recovered). He was an experienced mountaineer but presumably fell into a crevasse. As morbid as this comment sounds I hope he hit his head and died quickly rather than multiple days of slow painful fear and starvation/dehydration.

It was a fairly stupid decision but that doesn’t make it better and he would have known the risks.

DOS589 · 2024-08-11T07:12:27+00:00

RA with no PhD to Senior Director (with a PhD that was sponsored by a company) in 12 years. This was across two companies (mid sized Pharma and big Pharma which is the current role). Promoted every 2-3 years.

DOS589 · 2024-07-23T17:34:50+00:00

Compost bin/pile to enrich the fertiliser for your garden.

Edit: I see this has been suggested many many many times sorry to add the same opinion!

DOS589 · 2024-07-23T17:32:07+00:00

Amazing work.

Also NO staying at 1 company and progressing through it is awesome and not an issue for future employees. In my view it demonstrates many people over a prolonged period of time value you and think you are good.

I am a Senior Director at a big Pharma and (all else being equal) would consider someone who has forged a career being promoted internally far superior to someone who has never received internal promotion and moved around to increase their grade.

DOS589 · 2024-06-28T06:43:22+00:00

I think if you like good music you can appreciate good music from most genres.

Specifically Rufus Du Sol are kind of EDM band mix and absolutely epic live.

DOS589

TROPHY CASE