R2R is Probably the Best Source for Making Friends With Fellow Hobbyists...Have You Made any Buddies Yet?

[livinlifeinBKK]

Through my years on R2R, Ive not only gotten a lot of valuable advice and tips, but also made real connections with at least several other hobbyists located around the world that I consider to be online friends at this point. Some PMs literally have grown into hundreds of messages exchanged on a variety of topics. In fact, some discussions have gone far beyond reef-keeping topics.

Since the hobby is rather small in Thailand (not complaining though because that also has positive aspects as well), it can be difficult meeting other hobbyists in person. R2R has served as a great source of community for me!

Anyone else find R2R to be a great resource for this?

 

[crazyfishmom]

Yes! It’s not easy to make hobby related connections in a meaningful way without spending time with someone even if virtually. With work and family, spending the time in person is prohibitive but this way I can have a conversation over a couple of days and have it be extremely rewarding without the conventional constraints of timing and driving somewhere to meet up with someone, etc.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Yes! It’s not easy to make hobby related connections in a meaningful way without spending time with someone even if virtually. With work and family, spending the time in person is prohibitive but this way I can have a conversation over a couple of days and have it be extremely rewarding without the conventional constraints of timing and driving somewhere to meet up with someone, etc.

Exactly! Additionally, although it's always nice to have someone who isnt a hobbyist themselves show appreciation for your tank(s), having a fellow hobbyist who fully understands everything that's going on inside and the love and dedication that we put into our tanks is something I feel every hobbyist finds particularly special. Not only can you share advice/ideas together, but Ive found that this hobby in particular certainly makes for great discussions together. (Plus the topics om the subject are endless!)

 

[revhtree]

I've literally met some of most best friends in life through this hobby and specifically through R2R! I've had them and their family come and spend a week at my house on summer vacation! One of them I get to work with every single day! Not to mention the hundreds of special people that we get to see at shows each year.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I've literally met some of most best friends in life through this hobby and specifically through R2R! I've had them and their family come and spend a week at my house on summer vacation! One of them I get to work with every single day! Not to mention the hundreds of special people that we get to see at shows each year.

I love the fact that even the owner who obviously has to put a tremendous amount of time and work into running the site has had the same experience! Honestly, it was initially inspiration from being active on R2R that led to me writing my first article which is something that has grown tremendously over the years. R2R also played a part in helping me discover my love for writing and all that has happened due to making that discovery in addition to all th me friends I've made here!

 

[AlyciaMarie]

It really is a special place. Even with the recent loss of a beloved community member here on R2R, the members closest to her banded together and were able to help each other navigate a difficult loss. It was a hard hit, but it was beautiful to see people coming together to comfort one another in that loss. These connections go beyond reefing. It's like a family!

 

[Reefer Matt]

Not in person. Not many Reefers in my area. So pretty much reefing solo as all my old reefing friends quit the hobby recently.

 

[revhtree]

Not in person. Not many Reefers in my area. So pretty much reefing solo as all my old reefing friends quit the hobby recently.

On the contrary my friend! The "best friends" I have met live in different parts of the world! We communicate via text, face-time, reefing shows and meet at other various times. So even if you don't have someone close, friendships and even best ones, can develop through an online community. I have also met some very good friends locally as well. The first one I met when I went to his house to buy frags! HA!

 

[Doctorgori]

While not “friends” per se, I’ve seen or interacted with a few members here and even years back on other forums. Just saying it’s a small world and whatever connection made online seem to carry over and reverberate to trade shows and other online forums…
semi related:
I change my username too often and would advise it’s better to keep the same username/avatar across multiple platforms

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

While I can't say I've met my R2R friends in person (mostly due to geography), R2R has certainly served as a catalyst that has led to having both professional and personal communications with some very knowledgeable individuals (to say the least) who I have actually met in person despite them not being hobbyists themselves.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

At trade shows, I'll talk to many people I see here daily. Not to mention, there are a ton of people I interact with on here as well!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Of course. Reef2reef is filled with many friendly people. I've made friends virtually with many of them. I look forward to talking to new people and talking to friends.

 

[fishguy242]

Yes , Real life friends ,too many to list...

 

[Reefer Matt]

On the contrary my friend! The "best friends" I have met live in different parts of the world! We communicate via text, face-time, reefing shows and meet at other various times. So even if you don't have someone close, friendships and even best ones, can develop through an online community. I have also met some very good friends locally as well. The first one I met when I went to his house to buy frags! HA!

Oh, no doubt. Full disclosure, I started an online community for my region on fb that is still going strong today. However some events happened that caused me to quit my own group. I learned a lot, but just can’t bring myself to reconnect. Then my reefing sensei(s) quit after ten years of reefing. So forging new friendships is sorta difficult sometimes as I don’t have many opportunities to meet other Reefers. But I do enjoy talking with others here on R2R!

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Since 3 or so moderatirs are here, I'll just comment here instead of placing my faith in a ticket.

I'm curious as to whether there might be a way to delete some (or even all) of my old threads without deleting my account and making a new one as that would mean I'd lose all my old DMs as well.

The reason I'm asking is because I've become pretty serious about my writing over the past couple years and have honestly been successful in having my articles published in 3 countries in 2 languages despite only speaking English. Many of my former threads were written simply to pass time in the past and have discussions. However, R2R is now more of a site I use to network and connect with people and since many of my former threads aren't accurate representations, I would prefer to remove them if possible.
@revhtree

 

[aumwantanai]

hello
I'm Thai. Nice to meet you.
thank you

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

hello
I'm Thai. Nice to meet you.
thank you

Hi, how are you?? Its uncommon to meet another hobbyist in Thailand! What province do you live in?

 

[aumwantanai]

Hi, how are you?? Its uncommon to meet another hobbyist in Thailand! What province do you live in?

I'm fine, brother.
I live in Nakhon Pathom.
And what city does your brother live in?

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I'm fine, brother.
I live in Nakhon Pathom.
And what city does your brother live in?

Same actually 55

 

[Slocke]

JK
Definitely met a ton of great people on here. Great atmosphere has been built on this forum