Have you experienced or observed any differences in your friendships in the aftermath of the pandemic? I personally felt that I have become less tolerant of certain topics and of some of my acquaintances who were prone to make only trite commentary. I also have created a higher aversion to narcissists. I was under the impression that my intolerance was related to tapping into my own WHY and to seeking more meaningfulness in my life. However, an article by Damian Thompson, associate editor of the Spectator, “Ever decreasing circles, The decline of male friendship,” got me thinking.
Thompson wrote: “Lockdown snapped the threads of friendship.” Thompson talked about how many of his friends have gotten worse post-pandemic in their communication skills (not calling, not writing back, ghosting…). He cited research out of Australia that found that “[m]en were vulnerable because they had fewer intimate friends than women and suffered from a ‘masculine aversion to initiating contact.’ I know that I intentionally chilled in my desire to participate in groups on Whatsapp where the chat was only one-way or not enabling more textured debate.
How has your experience been? Have you seen anything similar? I’m particularly interested on any angles that refer to how we (especially men) have changed our mode and style of communication in a post pandemic age.
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I myself have found that I’m steering away from interacting on social media and spending more time outdoors.
Connecting with nature is very beneficial!!
Yes, I so agree! 😁
Men particularly were subject to this as thier relationships often revolve around doing together rather than being together in my opinion
That is SO true!!