Get To Net-work

Before the arrival of the internet, if any of us can remember that prehistoric period of life, how did people arrange to meet each other? We were limited in options; the telephone was and still is a fundamental tool for contacting, but is now a trailing second place to the mighty internet. The letter is almost extinct and the fax is ‘so 1980’s’, with both being just nostalgic memories for our parents and generations before.

What is distinctive about these methods of communicating is that before we initiated the connection, we knew who we were communicating with. In the sense that even if we didn’t really know that person well, we did possess clues as to who they knew, what they did and where they were located. This knowledge provided us with reassurance, yet restricted us to meeting people within our social circles. The internet and its infinite resources has blown these limitation into tiny cyberspace particles and forming new and wonderful relationships – all around the world – has never been so easy.

So easy in fact, that the way we now communicate has changed forever. Friendships and relationships can be made in a day and can last a lifetime. Here are three illuminating case studies of how the internet helped flourish these memorable, lasting bonds.

Simon, 28 and Toby, 26, have known and lived with each other for four years. Before they met, they shared two pertinent things in common; they had great jobs that dictated their lives and; they had just discovered social networking.

“I came back from work one day and my old housemate suddenly announced he was moving out,” recalls Simon. “All of my mates were settled and I didn’t know of anyone who was looking for a room. I was fairly picky about the kind of person who I wanted living with me, so finding someone similar was essential. For the first time in my life I went on the internet to see what the social networking fuss was all about.”

“That’s when he found me!” interjects Toby. “I was also reluctant to use the internet, but I found I could be honest about myself and speak to like-minded people without any pressure or stress. I saw someone was looking for a housemate one day and this guy sounded cool. Now look at us! We’re best mates and have met other great people online.”

Aline, 26 and Emily, 25 have been best friends for two years. Aline is a fashion designer and Emily is a media consultant. They live in London and are both ardent social networkers.

“Most of my good friends I’ve met in the last two to three years have been generated through social networking,” Aline declares. “When I left University I gradually lost touch with old friends and I found myself dipping in and out of new friendships due to me travelling a lot with my job. But, while I was away, I joined a few websites and started talking to some really nice, interesting people. Then I met Emily and our friendship blossomed!”

“We did get on very well from the off-set,” recalls Emily. “I knew of people who used the internet to meet people, but I was never drawn to it. Then I joined a local networking website, as I was working very long hours and felt my social life had almost vanished. Aline was in the same boat as me and we just made each other laugh. Not only have we got each other as great friends, we managed to pick up each others friends too!”

Jess, 31 and Kris, 28 met while travelling around Australia. They both arrived in the country as single, happy travellers and they left as an even happier couple four months later.

“You obviously meet lots of people when you travel, particularly if you go on your own, but the intrigue of meeting people like yourself on the internet was too hard to resist,” Jess says. “People are very honest and candid online – in a good way – so when I first met Kris he was cheeky, but lovely. We were both in Brisbane at the time, so after about a week of chatting a group of us met for drinks.”

“We all got on really well, especially Jess and I, and it all went from there,” recalls Kris. “We decided to stay in Oz for a while longer as we didn’t want the experience to end. Jess and I will never forget that part of our lives and we are both advocates for meeting new people on the internet. Give it a try!”

Six people, three very different scenarios, but one reason why they’re all together: social networking. The internet is a vast space where people can meet and talk openly and freely.

One social network that brings together outgoing people across the UK, both online and offline at social events and activities is CitySocialising – a hub of 20 to 30-somethings that are experiencing a restricted social life due to relocating and accumulating work demands.

Sanchita Saha, CEO and Founder, says: “Life for young professionals is now more fast-paced and busier than ever, mostly due to increasing demands at work. There’s often just not enough time to organise your social life and create opportunities to meet new like minded people beyond the office walls. CitySocialising’s success at connecting people with new life-long friends comes from creating a trusted community of users from similar backgrounds, who can connect firstly online according to shared interests, and then meet and socialise in the real world to forge genuine friendships, joining in with local social events and activities that appeal to them, without the hassle of organising it themselves.”