Australian Friendship Circles: Expats and Locals Debate 'Gatekeeping' Social Dynamics

A recent social media video has sparked a conversation about the perceived 'gatekeeping' of friendship circles in Australia. The video, uploaded by user @laylasubritzky, features a woman detailing her experience as an expat in Australia for nearly 15 years. She contrasts the social norms with those of the United Kingdom, where she claims new acquaintances are more readily welcomed into existing friend groups. "Why do they gatekeep friendship circles in Australia?" she asks in the video, explaining her confusion over the apparent difficulty in expanding social connections beyond initial introductions. She described a scenario where, in the UK, a new friend would seamlessly integrate with one's broader social circle, leading to shared activities. However, in Australia, she notes, "You don't fully get invited to actually anything that they're all doing." The video has resonated with many, drawing numerous comments from individuals, both Australian-born and expats, who share similar sentiments. One commenter stated, "No it’s hard to make friends in Australia and I’m born here lol," while another added, "As an Aussie, I share my friendship circles but they aren’t shared with me. It’s very frustrating so yes this is very real." Several comments also pointed to specific cities like Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth as having particularly 'cliquey' social scenes. The discussion highlights a broader social observation about friendship formation and integration within Australian society.

Mail Online

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