u/meownator100

I’ve noticed most people posting here seem to be from western countries, and after reading so many posts, I can’t help but think the culture itself contributes to it

In a lot of places around the world, especially in some parts of Asia, Africa, and South America, people are much more community focused. Life tends to move at a slower pace, Neighbors know each other, people check in on one another, and making friends often feels easier

Meanwhile, a lot of Western societies tend to be very individualistic and fast paced. Everyone’s busy, everyone’s working, and social connection often ends up at the bottom of the priority

Loneliness exists everywhere, but I genuinely think some environments make it a lot harder to feel connected than others

I also think social events work differently depending on the culture. In some places, if you show up to an event or hang around public spaces regularly, there’s a decent chance you’ll end up meeting people and forming connections naturally. The expectation is often that people will talk to each other and include newcomers

In more individualistic cultures, you can go to the same event and still leave without having a meaningful conversation with anyone. People tend to stick to their existing friend groups, which can make it much harder to break in and build new relationships

My advice? Travel if you have the opportunity. Experiencing a different culture can completely change your perspective on friendship, community and human connection