meetups, conventions, conferences, concerts, bars, hobbies, etc. It might be easier for me because I live in a very populous region, but I’ve found it pretty easy to meet people. 90%+ of those people don’t end up becoming long term friends, but that’s just how it is.

Also, the easiest way to start a conversation is to ask a question. “Hey what’s that?” “What are you doing?” It takes time to get a good feel for whether or not someone is actually looking for a conversation based on their response, but it is a skill anyone can learn and there’s generally no harm in short chats with strangers in public spaces.

I met my partner in a queer bar for a kink event. We made eye contact a few times and when I approached them, we started complaining about our chronic pain and fucked up bodies.

If I’m shopping online I try to avoid anything fast fashion. It’s usually made worse and mostly polyester. Otherwise there are few small designer brands I check sales for regularly.

In person, brands aren’t as important as checking the seams and the materials tag.

I used to say my goal is to live hard and die young. I’m not so nihilistic anymore, but I’d still say I’m living a good life if I’m pushing myself to my limits to have fun and experience new things.

It’s not totally clear in your story, but is “A” doing this just to mess with these guys or is it like a closeted gay thing? The first case is kinda messed up, but the second is more complicated. Either way, drugs, alcohol and partying makes everyone do stupid stuff. I pretty much always advise my friends not to take anything that happens at a club too seriously if they’re new to it. On its own, the idea of flirting with people and sharing your number while you’re seriously fucked up and then going “oh shit” and blocking them the next morning doesn’t seem especially cruel to me.