# Are you aware of any networks for people shut in their home? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 13, 2016, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073 "2016-01-13T21:35:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/1 "2016-01-13T21:35:59Z")
The word is shut-in or [recluse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recluse) – a person unable to leave their home. I do travel a little – like shopping but not that often. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/2 "2016-01-13T21:46:43Z")
Meals on Wheels pops to mind. Lots of churches do outreaches. But these are for people who CAN’T leave the house, not for people who just don’t like to. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/3 "2016-01-13T21:47:57Z")
Thanks – I am not looking for any charities – just friends. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/4 "2016-01-13T21:52:55Z")
World of Warcraft, or some other online game? ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/5 "2016-01-13T21:54:48Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > World of Warcraft, or some other online game? I am level 99 (maximum) in Range, Magic, Constitution, Summoning, Slayer in Runescape. Still no friends. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/6 "2016-01-13T22:10:05Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > I am level 99 (maximum) in Range, Magic, Constitution, Summoning, Slayer in Runescape. Still no friends. Anyone who thinks MMORPGs are about friends either doesn’t know what an MMO is or doesn’t know what a friend is. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/7 "2016-01-13T22:12:33Z")
LinusK is your friend here! But seriously, what exactly are you looking for? Online friends? Very occasional real life meetings? Email pal? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/8 "2016-01-13T22:22:09Z")
You do know recluses are able to leave their homes, don’t you? They prefer to shut themselves away from the world and aren’t exactly looking for friends. Your desire for friends marks you as the opposite of a recluse. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/9 "2016-01-13T22:24:58Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > LinusK is your friend here! LinusK is a lawyer – he helps many men who are unjustly treated by the courts. Unfortunately I do not have comparable achievements. > [@CarnalK](#): > > But seriously, what exactly are you looking for? Online friends? Very occasional real life meetings? Email pal? Mostly telephone friends. Now I have an alternative 1-800 number. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/10 "2016-01-13T22:27:15Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > You do know recluses are able to leave their homes, don’t you? Very bad public transportation in my area and I do not drive. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/11 "2016-01-13T22:28:28Z")
Go online and set up a profile as an inmate in one of our nations many correctional facilities. I’ve heard that there are many women that love to correspond, pen-pal, talk with incarcerated individuals. Some even end up marrying these people. Worth a shot. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/12 "2016-01-13T22:31:08Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Go online and set up a profile as an inmate in one of our nations many correctional facilities. I’ve heard that there are many women that love to correspond, pen-pal, talk with incarcerated individuals. Some even end up marrying these people. Worth a shot. I am serious – I am not into jokes now. I am not an inmate in my home. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/13 "2016-01-13T22:31:09Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > Very bad public transportation in my area and I do not drive. Lack of transportation does not a recluse make. Being a recluse is a conscious decision. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/14 "2016-01-13T22:32:14Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Lack of transportation does not a recluse make. Being a recluse is a conscious decision. That is why I am trying to change my situation. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/15 "2016-01-13T22:39:37Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Lack of transportation does not a recluse make. Being a recluse is a conscious decision. Being agoraphobic or having some social phobia is not a conscious decision. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/16 "2016-01-13T22:40:37Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Being agoraphobic or having some social phobia is not a conscious decision. No social phobia here – just long distance to urban life and no transportation. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/17 "2016-01-13T22:49:38Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > No social phobia here – just long distance to urban life and no transportation. Ok then just go on Facebook for God’s sake. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/18 "2016-01-13T22:53:47Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Ok then just go on Facebook for God’s sake. No anonymity there? Are there places to search for phone friends specifically? Maybe people here know more about the newest stuff on the Internet then I do – some things I got from SDMB are quite useful. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/19 "2016-01-13T22:57:15Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > The word is shut-in or [recluse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recluse) – a person unable to leave their home. I do travel a little – like shopping but not that often. You’re no recluse. But look at Facebook. Try social online games like Bridge at Bridgebase Online. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/20 "2016-01-13T22:59:29Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > But look at Facebook. Maybe I should. The problem with Internet is that there is no privacy – everything we say is for our future employers and dislikers. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073.md?page=2)