Buddy Bench

[William930t]

Copied from a neighborhood group post. Good read for kids who feel left out, shy or new to the area...

Walking through my son's schoolyard, I notice a bench painted bright red. I asked my son, "Is that the only place to sit around here?" He said, "No, that's the buddy bench. When someone feels lonely or they have nobody to play with, they sit there and kids ask them to play." WOW. AMAZING! I then told him how wonderful that was and asked him if he ever used it. He said, "Yeah. When I was new I sat there and someone came and asked me to play. I felt happy. And now, when I see kids on it, I ask them to play with me. We all do. ❤️




Great idea!

[MMiller]

Love it!

[flatbutt]

That is very nice! How about a ...oh IDK a grey or white one for old lonely people?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by William930t

Copied from a neighborhood group post. Good read for kids who feel left out, shy or new to the area...

Walking through my son's schoolyard, I notice a bench painted bright red. I asked my son, "Is that the only place to sit around here?" He said, "No, that's the buddy bench. When someone feels lonely or they have nobody to play with, they sit there and kids ask them to play." WOW. AMAZING! I then told him how wonderful that was and asked him if he ever used it. He said, "Yeah. When I was new I sat there and someone came and asked me to play. I felt happy. And now, when I see kids on it, I ask them to play with me. We all do. ❤️




Great idea!

That's fantastic! And kids, at least young ones, would have no compunction about approaching someone like that. (which would probably be an issue in HS)

[911 Rod]

Got a bit choked up seeing this.

[William930t]

Rod, felt the same way and wanted to share a much needed feel-good story.

[rfuerst911sc]

What a simple but moving idea ! I think it's fantastic . May need a bigger bench .

[stealthn]

That beautiful man! Should be at every school

[thingmon]

Nice, but why is Group W popping in my head?

Dave

[GH85Carrera]

Wonderful idea!

My dad was in the Air Force, and we moved a LOT. Every year from 2nd grade too 11th grade I heard the teacher say "class this is Glen, the new boy" and everyone turned to look at me.

In second grade, I was shy and had zero friends. I still remember mom and dad driving me to the third grade school and showing me where it was and how to get there. On my bike the next day, my first day at that school I made a decision, shy is stupid. So at the first recess I screwed up all my courage, and walked up to a a group of 5 boys and said hello, I am the new kid. From that day forward, I learned to make friends. Well, except in 9th grade in Waipahu Hawaii. I was 50% of the
Haole population at that school. Every Friday was kill Haole day and even the girls took part.I had no friends and the entire school of tormentors.

To this day my wife is amazed how I can be in a group of strangers and strike up a conversation with almost anyone.

[gregpark]

What a great idea! Reading this made my day

[unclebilly]

We put one in at my kids school a few years ago. With the right culture it works well.

[LWJ]

That is amazing. We could have used it. My eldest child is on the autism spectrum. They sat on the same bench. Every day at lunch for four years of high school as they ate their lunch. By themself. They claim they were happy with it. I wasn't. What an amazing idea but better yet, the reception of the students. Wow!

[Sooner or later]

I can remember reading about something very similar a few years back. I thought it was here but a search found nothing. Must have seen it elsewhere.

Anyway, a very good idea.

[Dixie]

They need a buddy bench for older, single, men. 15% of all men claim they have no close friends. I suspect the percentage is much higher with older men.

I'm not sure if they're cranky because they're lonely, or lonely because they're cranky, but they're lonely.

[wdfifteen]

In my school, they would have called it the "Loser Bench." I went to a pretty crappy school.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Dixie

I'm not sure if they're cranky because they're lonely, or lonely because they're cranky, but they're lonely.

I was single until I was 43 years old. Never felt lonely until I got married the first time. I felt lonely, but not alone. It was not pleasant.
I can't imagine feeling lonely just because I'm alone.
Even being in a great marriage, I can't get enough "alone time."
If there is an "epidemic of loneliness" I think I'm immune.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by thingmon

Nice, but why is Group W popping in my head?

Dave

Because, like me, you're probably old.

[GH85Carrera]

When I first moved to Oklahoma City, the only people I knew were my grandparents. They were wonderful, and I loved them, but not a lot of fun to hang out with for a 20 something man. Well except Sunday afternoon when grandma would ask if I cold stay for supper. Somehow I always found the time.

Everyone at work was married, and did not want me coming over much. My salvation came from the local PCA region. We had regular events, and several single guys to be buddies with. Many of my friends from the club I have know now for 40+ years. Some are new members and as gar guys, great friends. My wife has made friends with many of the wives, and she goes to lunch with them.

Since I go to Porsche Parade every year for 22 years I have friends from all over the US.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by thingmon

Nice, but why is Group W popping in my head?
Dave

The only way to fix that is to sing a bar of Alice's Restaurant the next time it comes around on the guitar.



With feeling.