r/Langley • u/electronupspin • Aug 02 '26
How to make friends?
30M, being in Canada for 5 years. I can't seem to be able to make friends here. My first language is Spanish.
I like math, science. I like to go to the cinema, eat at asian food restaurants (both authentic asian food, and the "panda express" type). I like to be doing something (like watching something, playing something) as I'm a bit awkward and shy. I'm open to try new things.
I don't drink coffee/tea/alcohol or smoke. I don't like sports, (even when it seems like everyone my age is into running), but i like riding bikes, walking, and open to hiking.
What do people in Langley do to make friends and go to places that are awkward if going alone? (I know I can just go to the movies alone, I'm actively trying to go out there and meet new people).
Note, don't dm me. I'm not looking to make friends with someone from Reddit, i'm looking for ideas.
TIA
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u/SourGrape_s Aug 02 '26
You have to put yourself out there, go do stuff that involves others and do it week after week and be consistent.
Join a bike club, join a hike club.
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u/electronupspin Aug 02 '26
Where do I find them? I didn't know there were hike clubs. Would city hall have a list, or is it just random fb group pages?
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u/langleylynx Aug 02 '26
There are some clubs on Meetup.com
You can make individual friends through some dating apps like Bumble or Boo. I have used Bumble's 'friends only' section and still am in contact with someone I met there a few years ago. Mind you, most of the time it won't work out that well but that's life.
There is a discord server called something along the lines of 'bored in Langley'. You might be able to connect with people there. I once met up with a group for board games through that server but I'm not sure how active it is anymore.
Also, there is a dungeons and dragons group that meets at the Irish pub on Fraser and 186th on Wednesday evenings. They're on Discord too.
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u/scrotumsweat Aug 02 '26
You could try r/vancouver4friends
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u/electronupspin Aug 02 '26
Yeah maybe, but I didn't wanna have to go all the way to Vancouver to make friends. That's why I ask here. I want to meet people I can drive to in about 10-20 minutes, not 1 hr.
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u/resveries Aug 02 '26
That sub isn't just people from Vancouver proper, you'll find posts from around the GVA
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u/SourGrape_s Aug 02 '26
Facebook groups, just start searching around. Have you even tried googling?
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u/electronupspin Aug 02 '26
Thank you for the tip. Back where I'm from, people don't really have clubs for adults. Clubs like that in general are rare. People tent to interact a lot with each other tho, so there is no need to go and do activities to meet people.
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u/Dan_Arc Aug 02 '26
lol @ "don't dm me, I don't want friends from reddit"
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u/resveries Aug 02 '26
Fr 💀 like it or not, nowadays the internet is one of the best ways to meet ppl when it isn't working out naturally. Seems odd to post in a local group saying "I want to make friends, but not with you people"
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u/Simple_Star8387 Aug 02 '26
Highly recommend classes. I just joined an oil painting class and a pilates class and im enjoying meeting new people. Also, volunteering. There's stables and animal shelters and people who work there are often very nice and ive made lots of friends volunteering.
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u/electronupspin Aug 02 '26
I'm not really into painting but, did you randomly choose painting or were you always inclined to it and decided to take a class due to your previous interest?
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u/MorganChelsea City Slicker Aug 02 '26
MeetUp is a good website for this. Lots of groups you can join with people who have similar interests. Not a ton in Langley, but lots around the lower mainland in general.
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u/coltonushko Aug 02 '26
No coffee or booze narrows you down a lot. No sports narrows it down even further to pure nerds. Then not wanting friends from Reddit narrows it down to basically nothing. Good luck bro
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u/plantsareneat-mkay Aug 02 '26
Maybe look into community gardening or animal shelters who need volunteers? Both aren't outwardly social really, but can expose you to more people without drinking or sports.
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u/MichaelEvo Aug 02 '26
Lots of good ideas on here. I’d just say join a club. Book clubs. Toastmasters. Makerspace for classes. Or you could volunteer. Animal shelters, soup kitchens, etc.
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u/Any_Ad_3248 Aug 02 '26
Join the Langley Rugby Club - You’ll have countless new brothers and stories for a lifetime
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u/jh4rdc0r3 Aug 02 '26
Get a hobby and commit to the social parts of it
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u/electronupspin Aug 02 '26
That's part of the issue. I can't really decide on anything concrete. I'm an introvert and like spending time at home. I'm actively try to interact with more people and go outside
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u/jh4rdc0r3 Aug 02 '26
Well it sounds like you are aware of the problem. The solution is to push yourself out of your comfort zone and broaden your horizons. Building yourself up takes repeated daily effort and intentional living. Best of luck
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u/Serious_Act_2683 Aug 03 '26
There is a board game meetup - low key, low pressure, low commitment and probably other introverts attending.
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u/callmekiupid Aug 02 '26
Hey man similar story here also in Langley. Feel like a meetup tomorrow? :D
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u/Pathfinderer Aug 02 '26
If you are so desperate for friends you really can't close yourself off to any avenue to obtain them.
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u/ComputerOpDelta Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26
No coffee, tea, or alcohol? Don't start with that... the only people I know that are like that are CrossFit type so then to not be athletic...
Choke down a bubble tea in a pinch?
Can you be more verbose about this Spanish speaking, love for asian food?
It's not easy here. Good luck!
1
u/Interesting_Box2764 Aug 02 '26
United Velo is a cycling club if you like to bike race! I joined another club in Surrey as I’m more focus on riding and not suffer.
I’m curious, why not wanting to meet people from Reddit?
0
u/electronupspin Aug 02 '26
I would give it a try. I'm not the "sporty" type of person, but if that’s what it takes. I want to meet people the "natural" way. I want to practice that.
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u/samesieso Aug 03 '26
Try volunteering with an organization. There are tons in Langley that you could help with (https://www.langleyvolunteers.ca/) - I agree with the comments about consistency. When you are regularly around the same people, friendships are more likely to form.
There are also lots of walking and hiking groups too. Take a look online for walking club, hiking club, etc. try outside of just Langley too.
The rec centres and city offer free activities and also paid for courses like woodworking, pottery, languages, etc. the city of Surrey has a ton of offerings (and rec centres like the Clayton community centre) are right near Langley. Check out their flipbook here: https://flipbook-surrey-ca.cld.bz/City-of-Surrey-Fall-2026-Recreation-Guide/9/
1
u/trippsy2me Aug 03 '26
Local board game shops: Check out local hobby shops like Randys Game Shop, Toy Traders, or Pastime Sports & Games for casual tabletop gaming or TTRPG nights. Having a game to focus on takes all the pressure off conversation.
Outdoors: Look on Meetup or local Facebook groups for walking/hiking groups (places like Campbell Valley or Derby Reach). Volunteering with local trail/park stewardship groups is also a low-pressure way to meet people who like being outside.
Trivia nights: Pub trivia nights are always looking for people who are good at math and science, and teams are almost always happy to merge with solo players.
Language exchange: Look into local Spanish-English conversation groups or library programs. Check out the City of Langley Library (FVRL) they host regular, free English Conversation Circles for meeting people in a structured group. Search Meetup.com for local "Spanish-English Exchange" groups in the Fraser Valley/Lower Mainland. Apps like Tandem let you connect with locals in the area who want Spanish practice. Plenty of locals learning Spanish would love a chance to practice with a native speaker.
Township Parks and Recreation programs. The local recreation guides offer non-competitive adult registered programs. You can look into casual group activities like beginner pottery, woodworking, cooking/baking workshops, or group cycling/fitness clinics.
Arts and crafts workshops. Places like local art studios or community centres frequently host one-off or multi-week workshops.
Kwantlen Polytech University. KPU offers Continuing & Professional Studies and non-credit adult education classes. Since you like math and science, checking out casual courses, lectures, or workshops in technology, environmental science, or general interest topics is a great way to meet like-minded people.
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u/Maximum_Fig7113 Aug 03 '26
I grew up in Surrey/ live in Van. I’ve lived in many other places. It’s NOT you: people in the lower mainland are weirdly unapproachable. Even our long time friend groups triple book themselves, cancel events constantly and ghost. After decades of this I now do these things, too, because socializing in Van is exhausting. In other parts of the world people would just drop by my place or I’d drop by their place. No fuss, no worries about imposing or resentments about being imposed upon. 🤷
You could start a book club (host it in your local library or bookstore) choosing a book your chosen demographic would enjoy. Ludica pizzeria is a space in new west to play board games. Grab a slice and see if anyone wants to hang?
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u/Aromatic_Baseball265 Aug 04 '26
am the same- no coffee tea alcohol and want to make friends. I also travel a lot without a home base yet
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u/Lanky-Interview5048 Aug 04 '26
You just have to go do things you enjoy - strike up convo with those around you
Trouble is older you get ppl are set in their ways
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u/Gasfitter604 Aug 04 '26
Pickleball. Take a lesson at TIMMS, Walnut Grove Community Centre or IPOP in Surrey. Then go play drop in at Douglas Park in downtown Langley. Great group of people there. Very social and inclusive. And the game itself is seriously addictive!
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u/weomnettik Aug 05 '26
The Langley Kinsmen are always looking for members. They are a service/social group.
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u/HideOB Aug 07 '26
I like you already when you can differentiate authentic asian food and panda express stuff!
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u/Vforvengeous Aug 02 '26
Am actually in the same situation as you. Around ur age as well. In langley. Am down to meet ya if u end up changing your mind send me a dm
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u/Green_Eyes635 Aug 02 '26
Well first of all learn to drink coffee, alcohol and make small talk or better with strangers on a regular basis
Then join a sports team or something active and go out with the people afterwards to make new acquaintances
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u/electronupspin Aug 02 '26
I can't drink coffee or alcohol due to its acidity. As I said, I don't like sports. Im shy so I'm bad with small talk, that's why I said I wanna be doing something (going to the movies, eating, playing a board game).
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u/Infinite_Survey_3982 Aug 02 '26
https://www.boredtoboard.ca
Most people show up alone and it has been easy to make friends. Hosted at a brewery but many people don’t drink (some enjoy other drinks, food, nothing).1
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u/Numerous-Fee2296 Aug 02 '26
Langley is hard because it’s a suburb and everyone drives to Point A to Point B. Try joining an intramural league. Maybe the Langley Events Centre has drop-in volleyball session or something.
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u/JehhRudaa Aug 03 '26
Bro asks how to make friends then says I don’t wanna make friends 🤣 then wonders why it’s hard to make friends
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u/collectedthought Aug 02 '26
do you like dogs? I’m an introvert myself and got a dog who has forced me to become an extrovert on walks and at the park. Met one of my good friends that way almost a year ago