Ask HN: I have always wondered...

[Ardit20]

The point of this thread is for you to ask HN what you have always wondered.

I'll start. I have always wondered why are there no real life chat rooms. Like, when I am bored I can go to a chat room online, and talk to complete strangers. I have always wondered why isn't there a room or area in every community where everyone can go and it is actually acceptable to speak to a random stranger and you can make friends, etc.

What have you always wondered?

[brk]

I have always wondered why are there no real life chat rooms.

You have no bars/pubs/clubs in your area?

[Ardit20 → brk]

You can't just go to a bar or pub or club on your own and talk to a stranger. Well you can, but thats the exception not the norm.

[btilly → Ardit20]

Most people don't, but try it anyways. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised.

Most people don't go to chat rooms online either. You shouldn't judge what is possible by paying attention to what most people do.

[Ardit20 → btilly]

Yeh but you would feel weird. Why not just have a place where it is conventionally acceptable to talk to other strangers.

Anyway, what has everyone else always wondered?

[btilly → Ardit20]

Why not just have a place where it is conventionally acceptable to talk to other strangers.

Suppose you created this. A certain core of people would go. Before long they would know each other. After that any newcomer would find that they are in a sea of people who know each other. And given our culture, would feel awkward going up and talking to them. Even though those people are nice and actually would be welcoming.

This is a surprisingly good description of many clubs, bars, various kinds of meetups, and so on.

[AmberShah]

Bars. Networking events. Niche groups (ie. Rocking Climbing group, Java User Group, etc)

This reminds me of: http://mylifeisaverage.com/story/2282043

[Ardit20 → AmberShah]

That was very funny. I am scared to try and find out what a blue waffle is :P

[amccloud]

http://www.meetup.com/