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Occupying Your Freetime on a Business Trip?
Eric asks: "I just learned that my employer is sending me on a project abroad, in a medium size city for 3 months, starting early August. This will be a 12-hour flight from home and I have friends just an 8-hour drive from there. This is not the first time I am being sent on a remote location, but it used to be short trips (one week, typically), so I didn't have time to get really bored. What do you do while on a long business trip? how do you meet people when you cannot use your network of friends and don't have months to waste on building a new network?"
"Getting to know people from the opposite sex would be nice, but I'm also looking for chaps to simply share a beer with. I'm your average geek, with normal social skills, but it usually takes me a long time (around 3 to 6 months) to make friends in a new area. Hobbies that do not need to be pursued thoroughly are good too.
Here are a few things that I've thought about:
- join a sport club, though the sports I'm into (swimming, rollerblades, hockey on rollerblades) aren't the best for meeting people or aren't practiced everywhere
- lurk in clubs and bars, but going there by yourself spawn images of sorrow drowning in my mind
- take dancing lessons; a good way to meet girls, and it doesn't usually require to get a yearly membership
- learn a new skill; I've registered on a distance Spanish course some time ago; not very successful so far (mostly due to laziness)
- the geeky way: join an open-source project, though I'm not sure if I'll have a proper internet connection at the hotel
and start stockpiling the pornography now. Trust me, it'll come in handy later.
Ultimate frisbee, soccer, basketball, and so on. There are always people playing pickup games, and it's a great way to meet community minded people. I would be lost in my new home without the local Ultimate scene.
The middle mind speaks!
I could finally play Baldurs Gate! I hear it's good but haven't had time to play it yet. I have about 30 videogames I need to get caught up on. You are sooooo lucky.
You could always be productive and expand your knowledge base as well. Maybe work on some economics theory or learn to program in a new language (or an old one like assembly). Find the time to work through that Quake II code.
I have a list of about 4 years worth of stuff to do when I retire (which is hopefully soon). It's sad when people cannot find something to do with their free time.
I agree with the pornography post as well (unless you want to start a second family, or a new family).
Hookers
or Call Girls if you prefer the luxury of your hotel to the back seat of a rental car.
Nothing.
I work at home, I never leave but to go grocery shopping; even that is sometimes done by my wife.
I have some friends from highschool, but I see them only once every few months.
Of course, I'm terribly lonely; if it wasn't for having a wife, I'd have gone mad a long time ago.
You should have said where you were being sent. There's probably a /.er living there or close by.
For the rest of it, if you're religious, find the closet church and go the first sunday you're there. They'll love you.
Other then that, figure out what interests you, and try googling for "interest and city and state" or something.
Karma: Food Fight (Mostly affected by Date Plate).
Seriously dude you don't need to network everything INCLUDING people.
.
Keep it simple
The message on the other side of this sig is false.
I'm your average geek, with normal social skills...
Um, don't those two statements contradict each other?
GMD
watch this
Dude do the "hi, I'm out of town, can you show me around" routine. If you can't do that then keep doing what you do best, spanking it.
-----
One is born into aristocracy, but mediocrity can only be achieved through hard work.
...read the following books:
Girls In A Nutshell
Life for Dummies
Idiots Guide To Living With Humans
I'm not sure why you needed to ask *us* to know that.
You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
I was working in Africa last summer and found that for me the best way to meet people was by joining the local Hash House Harriers. I won't get into too much detail, but it basically bills itself as "a drinking club with a running problem." The runs were typically on farms and in the woods just outside of the city where I was staying and the landscapes were beautiful. Plus, the runnning was good and the beer was insanely cheap. :-)
You didn't really give any details about where you're going, but if it's anywhere internationally, chances are there's a local HHH. It's got a lot to do with the whole ex-patriot community.
-Gameboy, Lusaka HHH
Most large cities have a thriving internet-based escort industry. Most small cities have a relaxed attitude about 'massage parlors'. So long as you stay away from the street talent, and visit with well-reviewed ladies the risk of you getting busted is virtually nil.
If you're in town for three months, you're looking for 'no strings'. No one wants fewer strings than your friendly sex worker.
Plus, it's legal in Canada and most of Nevada.
If you're freaked out about diseases, get thee to a massage parlor. Usually you can a massage and a handshake for less than $100. Cheaper and quicker than dinner and a movie.
If you're not interested in 'for pay', then you check out the BDSM scene, Adultfriendfinder (for MILFs), or the singles ads in the local alternative paper.
If you're not interested in recreational dating, then I suggest you check out the local music scene. Either way, you shouldn't be bored.
what is this "friends"?
...what is this "free time"?
hold up...
your post both frightens and intrigues me.
Walking. This is a wonderful activity.
Walk around. Talk to people. Ask them questions.
Exercise. "Street level" social/cultural interactions. It's all there. Just get up and go. You'll find people with interests that will keep you busy. Coffee shops. Book stores. The street corner. Make random friends. Exchange numbers. Get together next Tuesday here or there. Talk more. Get introduced to friends, friends of friends, etc.
Ask. Ask. Ask. And you shall learn.
You ever see In the Company of Men?
In a previous post, someone mentioned that if you are religious you should join a church. If you are not already a member of a organized religion, you might want to try finding a Unitarian Universalist church near your destination. They usually have lots of activities and sermons that are are not focused on a particular belief system. I know a lot of interesting and geeky people who are Unitarians.
I would do the obvious: Take a stack of books and music with you, and if something happens, then that's great, otherwise you can get plenty of reading in.
I'm not sure why you needed to ask *us* to know that.
You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
for social advice? Are you insane?
IRC Seriously, I have many irc friends, and keeping up with them is a full time job by itself .. you have access(24/7 net I would imagine between work/hotel) get on irc and chat - I personally can be found at irc.worldassault.net # damit - ask for Zipster :)
Slashdot, where armchair scientists get shouted down and armchair theologians get modded up.
- Do some warchalking with your PocketPC/Zaurus
- Get your amateur radio license and join the local club(s), even if it's only for a few months they'd probably welcome you.
- Since when does developing opensource projects require a lot of bandwidth? Just wget all the documentation you need and CVS the source and after that you shouldn't need much bandwidth.
- Paintball is fun.
- Bars & clubs are fine if you can find ones that have like-minded people. Maybe coffee shops and cyber-cafe's are more your speed.
- Play music in the park or at open mics.
- Read, watch TV, IM/IRC with your friends, surf the web (obviously). Try to get a hotel room or whatever where you can leech 802.11.
- Get a part time job on the side.
Hope this helps!-73, de n1ywb
www.n1ywb.com
I picked up some modeling clay and started sculpting. Easy enough to pack when you head back home -- sqish it all down back into a lump.
I brought a laptop of my own, to toy around with software.
Gentoo Sucks
You seem to like interacting with Slashdot readers so why not check to see if there is a Slashdot Meetup in the city you'll be working in? If you meet one person you click with you'll be set as they will introduce you to their friends who you are likely to get along with. Instant circle of friends.
And of course, if you're socially inclined (unlike me), some or all of these are likely to lead to you making new friends. Just don't tell them that they're a temporary expedient!
And if you absolutely have to have familiar company, bring a cell with an all-you-can-eat long distance plan. Try not to drive your friends crazy, though.
Hop on Friendster and find someone in your social network
who lives near your temporary location.
-I like my women like I like my tea: green-
I was in Vienna for 8 weeks, no TV, working 3 hrs a day. I perfected; beer drinking, pidgin German, and, most satifying, whistling. Not the normal kind, but the loud, through the teeth, no fingers call a dog or taxi type. I sat in my apartment and practiced until I could rattle the windows.
I mean, hell, you want friends, it helps to have something in common with them. Personally, I was a military brat, and the military folks tend to be much more welcoming of any new person, as they're used to being the new person themselves, but most people aren't so used to getting thrown in a new place every few years.
... look for a local newspaper, and see what sort of things there are going on in the town. If it's a big city, look for an independant newspaper, like the Baltimore or Washington City Papers. You might also check colleges in the area, and see what sort of events their student papers have listed.
If you're in any professional/hobbyist/whatever organizations, look to see if there are any chapters where you're going...for those geeks, maybe a linux users group, perl mongers, whatever. There might be a lego users group, or something else where you can meet people, if that's what you're trying to do. Of course, there's also the chance that these people are obsessive freaks.
Do some research before you go... for all you know, you have relatives living in that same town, or friends from high school or college who are only an hour or two away from where you're going. Ask your friends if any of them have been there, any maybe they have recommendations on things to do, places to go, whatever. Check online
You can also check out DMOZ by region, and you might be able to find something of interest. You might check the local phone book for independant bookstores, comic book / game shops, whatever sparks your interest.
Without knowing what sort of people you're trying to meet, it's hard to give any useful suggestions as to where to find them.
Build it, and they will come^Hplain.
Check out the architecture (probably irrelevant if you're stuck in the midwest)
Learn the language (or any language)
Read a book
Get in shape
Pick a relevant exam, and study for it
Ask through your network of friends if there's anyone around there you should meet
Work on some personal projects on a laptop (takes discipline)
Find a cafe, buy a newspaper, light a cigarette, and relax. It's summer. Enjoy it.
Write letters
The best thing about working somewhere else on a project is that you don't have to worry about all the mundane crap that normally takes up all your time at home. Commuting, dealing with bills and cleaning, cooking, all fall by the wayside.
Unfortunately, this is usually offset by the longer hours; also, on most remote projects, I've been on teams; the focus was on getting the work done as quickly as possible, which results in long hours; if we did get some free time for meals and so, it was usually spent grabbing a quick bite with the team.
If you have the opportunity, don't waste the time futzing around the hotel.
Cole's Law: Thinly sliced cabbage
1. A Gameboy Advance is a good way to pass some time.
2. Basketball or soccer. There are always people ready and willing to play.
3. Learn arabic. I've tried for the fun of it, and it's no picnic. But looks from your co-workers as you read Al-Jazeera every morning would be worth it!
What, me Tweet?
* strip joints
* casinos
* strip joints
* in-room porn movies
* did I mention strip joints?
Free time should be spent off the computing grid. Go remind yourself what boobies feel like.
Dude give us a few more details. The plans are extremely different depending on where you are going ... things that work in Columbia don't translate so well to Saudi Arabia, and none of the above are nearly as fun as Moscow.
Glonoinha the MebiByte Slayer
always go geocaching. There are caches all over. Take some cool USian trinkets to leave in the caches, and you could probably find some cool local trinkets to keep.
Tiller's Rule: Never use a word in written form that you've only heard and never read. You will end up looking foolish.
Find a coffee shop (or a similar place) that usually is on the medium side of busy (usually has a couple of people in it, but isn't packed) and show up every day around the same time. After a couple of days, the employees, as well as the other regulars, are bound to start recognizing you and making friends with them should become relatively easy. It may not generate the best friendships, but it's good in the (relatively) short term.
Just get bent.... every night.... That's how people in my town pass the time.
meeting people is easy
It's 10 PM. Do you know if you're un-American?
Pick up a GBA and a bunch of games.
"Getting to know people from the opposite sex would be nice,
:-)
Salsa, Tango, or whatever is there for you, could be a keyword. You do not need to be a womanizer to nicely spend some time dancing. More to that, learning salsa is even geeky. Man really have to think and plan how does he want his partner to move, otherwise it won't work. It's not just jumping around to the music
--
And remember:
...a stunned silence fell upon the hall.
A couple of things that you might try are taking classes and volunteering.
There are lots of various classes that you can take. You've already identified dance classes, but any sort of class in something that you have some vague interest would be a good way to meet people. I've met some really nice people in pottery and cooking classes. In Houston, there's an outfit called Leisure Learning that serves as a clearing house for some classes on various topics. There may be something similar wherever you are going.
I'd stay away from the distance learning stuff mainly because you don't actually get out and meet people that way.
Another option is to find some volunteer work todo. For example, volunteer at a local hospital or shelter. You'll feel better going out, meeting people, and helping others. Seems like there are more women than men who volunteer anway, so if you're a guy who wants to meet women, that's a good avenue. For example, the most recent orientation class at the animal shelter where I volunteer had about 40 or so new female volunteers and one new male volunteer.
Good luck!
But I would suggest hiking and cycling to get to know the local area not to mention much needed exercise...
What to do on a business trip? One word, my frein. WHORES!!!
Are you that GiMP who lives in the box? You know, the one from "Pulp Fiction"? Wow! First Will Wheaton, now the Gimp! You meet the most interesting people on slashdot!
"Bring out the Gimp" - Pulp Fiction
Every city I've been to has pleny of things to do that you could wonder for 3 months and not see the same thing twice unless you wanted to. Just visiting all the historical sites within driving distance of my midwest town should take you more than 3 months if you spend time to really look them over instead of running through it. (And we consider many things less than 75 years old historical, perhaps the city you visit will be much older)
Check out the zoo - nearly all cities have one, but in some cases the locals don't know it. Check out the theme parks. Check out the city's web page, that should help, and then the page for all the nearby towns.
I found my church was most helpful. Once I got in touch with them, my entire day was planned for me, including people who spoke my language. (In theory I know spanish, but in practice I don't) Picked up to go to church, lunch with a family, a walk in their park. They showed me local stuff I wouldn't have seen. Of course I'm a shy geek so I like having that level of work done so I can be socal without having to go through too much effort. (Don't join a church just for the socal life, but once you find God, time with God's people is worth spending)
Last of all, try walking. I walked a bunch of sidewalks when I had a free saterday and I found a lot of things that were interesting, but I wouldn't have found out about otherwise. Street bands, art shows, an old church open to the public. A cool public clock several turns down a blind alley. Just explore. They say it isn't safe, and you need to be aware, but most places you will be left along if you leave people alone.
When traveling I work, work, work, drink a beer at the same bar everynight, work, work, work. Of course I bill hourly, so it pays. Then I get home and don't touch a computer for weeks. Drinking a beer at the same watering hole everynight helps you feel like you have friends if you need to discuss something (if not, drink more beer), like "my wife just called from her boyfriends house...". If you don't work hourly, build some sort of product. I built an OO database on one trip (I planned on selling it and retiring). It was pretty nice. Now sits quietly on a lost harddrive. The real result was that I learned a lot about how to write a DB. Last week I needed a custom DB and my old designed fit the bill. I wrote/tested a DB from scratch (hash on a disk in Java) in about 3 hours due to the experience gain years ago. Joe
Joe Batt Solid Design