Does anyone else have trouble making friends with people their own age? I'm a young person, but people my own age almost always dislike me. It's got me so scared of people my own age that in the very rare event someone my own age and gender is friendly towards me, I'm way too shy to even try to be friendly. It's a shame. Like today, I had mostly been around older people and was very happy. They were intelligent, kind people and we all had big smiles. Then later I meet with a woman about my age and this problem really came to light. I smiled at her in the same why I smiled at the others, and she didn't smile back. I turned to do something and I saw her glare at me and throw her hair back in the same way many other young women do around me when upset. Young women uncomfortably look over my body too when I look away... Seeing what I'm wearing. I'm I being paranoid? Or do young people act this way? Or is it simply your own age group that acts much more competitive?

[SnakeCharmer]

It might not be paranoia on your part. It's not uncommon for people who feel insecure within themselves to throw dagger-eyes at people who remind them of their insecurity for reasons we may not even begin to understand. I've seen it and don't like it much, but sometimes the problem is in the other person and there's nothing much we can do about it because it's their problem, not ours. If you get along with your older friends and enjoy big smiles with them, you must be doing something right!

Yes! I have never gotten along with people my own age. In high school the only "friends" I ever had were the teachers. I could always talk to people who were older than me (mostly adults), but anyone my own age seemed to think I was a weirdo or some kind of freak.

I agree with SnakeChamer. They're insecure and mean people who love looking down on others just because they feel that they can. You might have a point though Breezy, I never thought that it might have something to do with competitiveness, but when you look at it, it's kind of stupid. Life is too short for that kind of thing. I know it's hard, but try not to pay any attention to those kinds of people. It's a waste of good air and sunshine. xD

[Psykick]

I can relate because all my friendships have become acquaintences or on and off friendships from school. I'm young as well (19 years of age) and I have difficulty with maintaining friendships.

Thank you for your responses. I think you're right SnakeCharmer. I've been wondering about this for awhile. XantheoftheSun, I really used to think people were acting strange and angry around me because they looked down on me. Part of that was because I was different, and thought they must think I'm really imperfect. However, I think the reason they worked so hard to act like those more popular was because they were insecure. I think they saw you as a "freak" because you were more mature and strong, and they didn't understand why you would be like that! Ha ha, I suppose that's why you got along with your teachers well. Now that I'm past high school, I've accomplished enough to know that I'm a good, smart person. I feel proud to be myself! And especially so because I didn't break down and started acting more like others so they'll accept me. So, I began to see this high-school kind of anger as "competition." Seriously, crowds of kids and teenagers forced in groups with little adult interaction in schools is sort of begging this to happen. I guess it can't be helped.

Even by nature, people try to spread "themself." At least, I think so, sometimes by becoming what's seen as popular in order to have a greater chance for others to agree with them, or by looking down on others who don't "agree," or don't fit in their "crowd" for the same reason. Of course, if everyone went by that concept, people would be divided amongst races still as cave man.

Sorry, went off on a tangent there. Really got me thinking. I know there's less of this after high school, but I wonder if these certain adults still feel the need to stay in groups and pick on others like in high school. I think a lot of young people who work hard seem to have realized you need to accept all sorts of people to survive. If I acted angrily towards customers at my job because I didn't like what they were wearing, or weren't in the same style as my group of friends, I'd be fired, after all. I think part of growing up is being more accepting towards all sorts of people, especially if you deal with different "types" of people a lot. That's what I believe. Plus, most adults are more accepting towards others and those in that high school mindset sometimes find that it isn't required anymore to be accepted.

So... I'm sure I'll make friends some time with people my age. I think maybe my odds increase as I get older? I do feel better though talking about this. I sometimes struggle when people my own age act that way around me. I'll definitely try to just be nice and avoid them.

I've seen this behavior and not just in young people. It's very strange to me though. Perhaps this person was very sheltered from the real world? Perhaps they didn't get out much to be exposed to people from all walks of life. This might happen if they grew up in a rural town. Whatever the reason, you are best to keep your distance for your own sanity.

[pisces22]

When I was in elementary and middle school I didn't have trouble making friends but in high school, I could not relate to anyone and never knew what to talk about with people my age. I graduated 2 years ago and I still can't connect with people my age or anyone in general. I guess age doesn't matter as long as you can talk to someone and have a good time!

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[hvert]

I have always had older friends as well. Now that I am in my mid-30s, I still tend to have friends who are older than I am, maybe 20-30 years. Thankfully I have gotten better at making friends closer to my own age, but I still seem to click with the older crowd more.

Typically those of my age don't understand my past times and interests, but there are a few. Generally speaking though I get along better with the younger crowd for those reasons.