Safe, comfortable places to meet people?

Mostly, SL seems very cold and impersonal. This is true even of most of the RP groups I have explored. I enjoy historical RP but most of that involves rigid social structures.

What are nice (I use that word intentionally), non-meat-market, friendly places to meet people? Not interested in sex or romance. Not interested in religious groups.

Needs to be a place where people won't be weirded out by non-humans, although I look very human.

I do go to The Shelter, which is the best I've found so far.

Try the Forum Cartel hangout. It is a very nice, friendly place.

Sometimes.

Pep (And sometimes not, in my experience)

... long as pep isn't there =X

j/k I've never met pep inworld... that I know of. Luskwood is generally friendly, furry oriented, if you can stand the newbies (which aren't too bad) NCI keeps good population. and if you are really bored you can pick up tiny empires, and join the group(s)... If the grid is up, they're almost always people worth hanging out with and events through there.

I've found that most charities or non-profit groups could care less what your avatar form is.
You could look in the groups tab in Search or go to Non Profit Commons to get a feel for the different groups.

There are some great environmental groups and sims in-world.

Start taking some classes at some of the learning institutions. Tolerance and respect are their credo. You'll meet some great people in a safe location. Everything from RL studies to creating in SL.

I had much the same experience Sylvan. Try a visit to Avilion, medieval / fantasy rp, not at all heavy and very friendly people. IM me in world and I'll be happy to help.

Hi Sylvan....

As someone said, the Forum hangout is a great start....this crew has already proven themselves to be a cut above....we have some great folks here~!!!
Another thing I would try is going to art galleries and shows. As a photographer in SL I have gotten involved in some photo groups and found that the folks in the art community are so down to earth and genuine. I am a loner by nature....so this is what keeps me in the social loop in SL.
You don't have to be an artist to be welcomed into the fold....but if you seek out more cultural events and activities, I think you'll find a lot of like minded folks who just want to keep it real, and enjoy making new contacts.

He was quite nice to me...

I like to go to Sweethearts... though you need to dress up. Every time I buy a new dress I go there. It's a dance club.

/shakes head.

I tried about seven times to answer this question but always got into a bunch of speculative armchair psycho-babble (about myself). You don't want to hear that.

I have not totally overcome the cold impersonal and meat market aspects you are perceiving, but here's a few things I am trying.

1. Becoming completly non-human eliminates most of the meat market sexual tension. But then I find that non-human avatars don't always funtion well in a human oriented world. My beagle pup looks like a horror movie if I try to dance!

2. I am trying very hard to say at least one pleasantry to people I meet and try to make it all about them - their tastes, their cool avatar or gadget, without it sounding like chat up lines. (Pleasantries do not come easily to me after the work days I have and with my reclusive personality, but there I go on about myself again. Sorry.)

3. I have broken the fourth wall and finally mingled a little of my real life self into Second Life. Someone I know in real life (because I have hung out with a lot of people I think would really go for Second Life) may recognize me, and we would have that history as a basis to socialize. And - if I feel the need for anonymity again, I still have my alt!

As they say, your mileage may vary.

I also heartily endorse the Forum Cartel as a comfortable and creative group of folks.

Thank you. I have visited Avilion. It is a beautiful, mostly safe-feeling place. There is, however, that social rigidity I mentioned in my post. Also, I am sort of free-spirited about clothing, which doesn't sit well there.

I admit I never got beyond the dance circle. So I probably am not being fair.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Helpful answers. Your beagle avatar is adorable.

Thanks for all the wonderful posts. Hugz

Art galleries are great places to meet people. Cetus district (laggy though) is a wonderful sl experience and interesting types are often there.

And as I always say - if you wanan take a friend to a private place with art and a diffrent experience you can always visit my galleries in Chaska/Burandt. I have ground galleries and at 1500. Hal and I wont disturb you and you are free to just wander around. Jut tp to Jigsaw (see my profile) and fly high. And I dont care what you are wearing.

I am ALWAYS nice to everyone......... well, almost everyone.


Like anywhere else in SL or RL, there probably are times at any establishment where there will be folks that are not real friendly - or there will be someone that just not seem to click with you - or someone that just likes to be a prick/bitch. The Hangout is probably no exception and I imagine that The Shelter even has its moments and/or assholes.

Usually though, the people at the Hangout are very friendly and helpful.

While he might look a tad odd, I think he is very very cute.

They are just as rigid about clothing outside that dance area. It is a medieval RP area and they do want you dressed as such.

Me too <g>

Feel free to come on over to the Etopia sims. We work hard to make it a friendly and welcoming place.

A friend of mine that I was dancing with was once told off for emoting to me in chat by one of Avalion's Guardians or whatever they are whilst on the dance floor.
He was told to keep it in IM whilst there.
That told me all I needed to know and I have not been back since.
YMMV though.

I understand and appreciate wanting accurate medieval garb. I do not understand requiring dragons and other non-human creatures to wear clothing if they stand on 2 legs. And given the pretense of medieval accuracy, i do not understand why the ball room allows modern formal wear.

I know this will sound catty, but they come across as prudish Victorian aristocrats playing "ye olde." If you want medieval, go somewhere like http://slurl.com/secondlife/Medevil%20England/117/234/22 (aside from the market area, which pays the bills.) Watch out for the rats, though.

At home, curtains drawn, doors bolted, Mantovani on the turntable, Rohypnol in the Martini, a selection of 'toys' in the basement ...

Well, safe for me at any rate, provided I 'tidy-up' afterwards.

A young bachelor brings a date to his home. He asks her what she likes.

"Well, I love fine wine", she says. "He smiles. "Excellent, I have quite a selection. Anything else?"

The girl thinks a moment, "I just adore Beethoven. His music is so romantic"

"I have all his works on the shelf, take yoyr pick". The guy feels he migt get lucky tonight.

The girl looks at his fireplace and says: "And I love cuddling by the fire on a furry rug".

The guy thinks, frowns a bit and says: "I guess I can shoot the dog."

Jesus. There's style fer ya!

Sick, sick, sick.
lol

*chuckle*

Remind me not to go out with you