How to make new friends when you are a "minority" in society

[PinkPalace]

Im trying to word this as politically correct as possible.

moving to a new city and a new suburb, it is predominantly one cultural background.
For this reason when i try mothers groups or try to initial conversations with other, i find that i am often smiled at (no response) but then left standing there while they talk amongst themselves in other language.

I am not sure what to do so that i am not inside by myself with my son all the time



any suggestions are most welcome

[Traveller]

You could try the library and see if they have storytime, or swimming lessons. You might meet some like minded mums there. Or you could post a message on the "members meetings" section on here and see if a BB member lives near you. You might be surprised, someone could be just around the corner

[LionsandBears]

That's tough. You could try 2 ways. 1) find a mothers group or similar in another area or 2) find a way to learn about the new culture. An example may be volunteering at a library or migrant resource centre, helping with english literacy or something. You could try to learn the language. That will show your willingness to integrate and get to know the locals.

With making friends, sometimes you need to be the one making the effort at the start. It can be an interesting learning experience, especially for kids.

[~clover~]

I've just started netball... Its going to kill me, but I feel a little better already. I've only played one game, but I think every one in town is involved with the winter sports, so its a good chance to get to know people better

My kids are also involved, so that helps too.

[Rouge]

I would be doing 2.

And I would be inviting them over for coffee. As a group KWIM?

[PinkPalace]

volunteering sounds wonderful but i have my children with me full time and i doubt they could come along.
there are so many dialects i would suck at learning, although dh and i have talked about trying to find out how to say the simple greetings, i just have to find out what the main dialect is spoke, and hope it is the right one when i try to talk lol... that would be a little embarressing if it wasnt.

i have walked up to people in playgroups, in parks, at school and get the same response, i keep trying but it is knocking my confidence tbh.

part of me if looking forward to starting my new job in a few weeks as then at least i know we will have 1 thing in common to talk about lol!

i have also emailed dd's new school asking at the p&f and how to get involved to hope that helps too.

[PinkPalace]

Rouge - this is a good idea, i guess i havent gotten past me saying , hi how are you and getting smiled at... i am not even sure they know what i am saying cause no one has spoken back yet? i woul dhave to look into cultural side of things too with food , milk etc, hate to offend anyone

I am going to try the library tomorrow with DS see how that goes.

DH finds it much easier being of ethnic background, he is approached more readily by strangers, but i just feel like i stand out like a sore thumb

[Rouge]

What culture are you talking about? You never know someone here may be able to help.

[PinkPalace]

I am not sure of the exact backgrounds, but mostly Indian/SriLankin or Lebanese (tbh i dont find it as hard with those with lebanese background because of DH though).