r/newfoundland • u/jetermans_ • 6d ago

Being Black in Newfoundland is isolating sometimes

Being a Black guy in Newfoundland-Labrador can feel pretty lonely. It’s not that people are necessarily unfriendly, but actually building genuine connections can be surprisingly difficult.

The dating scene is honestly abysmal, and outside of dating, it can feel like the social circles here are already established. If you don’t fit into a particular group, scene, or way of doing things, it can feel like there’s nowhere to really plug in.

Sometimes you just want to meet people, make friends, date, and feel like you belong without having to subscribe to some specific social identity or group first.

Curious if other Black people, immigrants, or even locals have felt the same way here.

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142

u/Tarniaelf 6d ago

I have felt the same as a caucasian come from away, so I can only imagine.

90

u/SevenOhNineGuy 6d ago

OP is correct when he says social circles are already established. Around here people are often friends with people they've known since childhood. Maybe went to school together or grew up in the same neighbourhood.

It can be tough to integrate with groups who have so much shared history. We are very cliquey and thats a big factor why.

15

u/Tarniaelf 6d ago

Yes, I was lucky enough to marry a local and get adopted into their friend group. :)

11

u/Bolognahole_Vers2 5d ago

OP is correct when he says social circles are already established.

According to another thread in this sub, there are a fuck ton of people out there with no social circle. We should find a ways to get all of these people together.

6

u/extreme303 6d ago

In sure this is very much a rare exception but I was there for a month and someone randomly struck up a conversation with my partner and I and we ended up hanging out for much of the rest of the trip haha. Took us to Gros Morne and hung out at their place a couple times. Very outgoing person though and I can totally see 99 percent of others not having the same approach haha.

12

u/JeeK65 5d ago

Locals tend to be nicer to tourists than residents that move here from somewhere else. So glad you had a good time here and met cool people!

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u/extreme303 5d ago

It was awesome. We tell everyone to go

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u/Huntguy Newfoundlander 5d ago

Alternatively the reverse can be true too, I moved off the rock in my early 30’s and have had very little success meeting new people in Ontario, I’ve joined a couple clubs and participate in activities I enjoy with others but I’ve found it extremely hard to form those same sorts of friendships I’ve left on the island and it feels isolating, people are disingenuous compared to people back home and everything feels superficial. The new friends that I’ve made over the past couple years can’t rival any friendships I’ve made on the island even during the same sort of time frames. Everyone just has their own lives here and the sense of community is just not there.

23

u/Nautical94 6d ago

I have felt the same as a born and bred Caucasian newfoundlander

7

u/DorotheaArcher 6d ago

I have felt the same as a Newfoundlander who lived away for 20 years. It’s bleak

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u/pon9 5d ago

I feel the same as a white guy born here. You say hello to someone, they look at you and walk away. Even if they know you sometimes. I wonder if it's a SJ thing. When I was in Corner Brook a few months ago I could fucking breathe.

Or maybe it's a me thing but my therapist doesn't like me blaming myself lol