The Friend Stigma

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I am different from most everyone here. I have a ton of acquaitances, but no real close friends.

I have met tons of people from getting involved in church, and involved with other activities. I also try to pick and choose the venues that I participate in with places that meet by philosophies and interests, hence meeting similar people.

Where I still struggle is how to move friendships out of the venue in which I know that person, and in to something closer. I have been told off a number of times in the past when I have tried to do this to people, that I don't know how to tell someone that I would like to do something with them, etc.

I've always been quite lucky when it came to friends. There are, right now, about five people whom I would call good friends. They're the ones I can laugh with, cry with, or just sit around doing nothing. They're the people who visit me, who I dare to call (I hate conversations on the phone so much), who accept me the way I am. Yes, they're all misfits; they never fitted in. Even when we don't stay in touch for a long time, the friendship will still be there (experience!).
There's also my group of friends who aren't really good friends but amazing people whom I love to hang out with. Those friendships are mostly based on convenience. They're nice people, it's just that we're different in many ways. Some of the people in this 'group' used to be really good friends, but just faded into the background. Most of them I've known for 3/4 years.
I also have a lot of acquaintances. The people you run into every now and then and get along with pretty good. It's never a scheduled meeting, it just happens. Sometimes we decide to get a cup of coffee somewhere, or something like that. Sometimes we just have a small conversation and go on with what we were doing.

I am the oldest of four children, which means that at a young age, I already got used to having people around me all the time. The neighborhood I grew up in - my parents still live there - was lively, with many other children my age. We used to play together all the time. This may have helped me with being able to meet people and make friends.

It doesn't mean I'm always happy with my social situation. When I see people meeting because of me and getting along greatly, I always feel a bit left out. It happens all the time. The good friends I have are not only misfits, three of them (all aspies) got one interest they share and put most of their time in, about which I don't care that much, which leaves me out a lot of the time.
At least I'm not alone. Even if I feel like it, I always have my brother, sisters and parents, who feel like friends most of the time.

I too have many acquaintances and maybe 2 or 3 friends but not really close friends. I also attend various of groups and meet many people who I may or may not see again. It took some time for me to feel comfortable to even go to those groups. I gradually got better with social skills the more I attended those groups. Now I get along pretty well, as long as I don't stick my nose where I shouldn't and get that was a bad thing to do situation.

As far as, being asked about the weekend. If I didn't really do anything then "Not much." If they laugh then I don't let it get to me. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I am not big on being social so this is how I am. You are who you are and if they laugh then that's their problem. If they didn't say what they did on the weekend, then I might ask.