Where to go for stranger (non-sexual) chat?
July 20, 2022 6:14 AM Subscribe
I have a problem my friends are tired of hearing about, but that is still weighing on me heavily and I want to talk to people about. Is there any place on the internet where people who want to chat about things realtime can pair up with other people they do not already know who want to talk about actual things other than pairing up?
I realize the irony of my asking this here, but I am not looking for forum-type discussion, whether here or Reddit or any similar location. I am thinking more like something which opens up instant-messaging type conversations that are meant to happen immediately. I looked at some of the 'random stranger chat sites' but they seem to be mainly used by people trying to start sexual conversations - which I don't have any judgment of, but it's just not what I'm looking for.
I realize the irony of my asking this here, but I am not looking for forum-type discussion, whether here or Reddit or any similar location. I am thinking more like something which opens up instant-messaging type conversations that are meant to happen immediately. I looked at some of the 'random stranger chat sites' but they seem to be mainly used by people trying to start sexual conversations - which I don't have any judgment of, but it's just not what I'm looking for.
I have wanted this sort of thing in the past when I realized my hope to stop talking shit about people was fighting my need to vent. I am happy to listen if you want to message me.
posted by InkaLomax at 6:22 AM on July 20, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by InkaLomax at 6:22 AM on July 20, 2022 [2 favorites]
"Peer text support" might be a useful keyword. I have used services in the past that describe themselves that way. You may be able to find a service in association with some community you're part of.
posted by mekily at 6:24 AM on July 20, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by mekily at 6:24 AM on July 20, 2022 [2 favorites]
"warmline" might be a good term to search for. similar to a hotline, but less for acute crisis and more for just needing to talk.
posted by carlypennylane at 6:35 AM on July 20, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by carlypennylane at 6:35 AM on July 20, 2022 [2 favorites]
Reddit has several sub-reddits for this purpose. A couple of examples: r/chat and r/MakeNewFriendsHere
You will get responses. As with anything on reddit YMMV.
posted by Justin Case at 10:58 AM on July 20, 2022
You will get responses. As with anything on reddit YMMV.
posted by Justin Case at 10:58 AM on July 20, 2022
some of the team behind Meetup recently launched this 1:1 peer support channel called CheckIn, which is maybe exactly what you are looking for.
posted by wowenthusiast at 12:25 PM on July 20, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by wowenthusiast at 12:25 PM on July 20, 2022 [3 favorites]
I’ve had truly atrocious experiences with 7 cups of Tea, fwiw. Just horrible victim-blaming, sex chats, people pushing religion, people trying to sell shit, etc. You can block a bad listener, sure, but then the next one will be worse.
posted by Violet Hour at 4:46 PM on July 20, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Violet Hour at 4:46 PM on July 20, 2022 [2 favorites]
this happens in World of Warcraft and other online games all the time
posted by Jacqueline at 8:52 PM on July 21, 2022
posted by Jacqueline at 8:52 PM on July 21, 2022
I’ve been going through a hard patch and have been feeling the exact same and even had the thought the other day that I wished I was an addict of something so I could go to a support group. Please feel free to message me.
posted by monologish at 6:02 PM on July 28, 2022
posted by monologish at 6:02 PM on July 28, 2022
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posted by Bella Donna at 6:20 AM on July 20, 2022