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Best way to treat a friend who's been laid off...

post #1 of 14
Thread Starter 
If your friend was recently laid off how would you go about including him in regular activities or nights out without making him feel like a charity case?

A good friend of mine was recently laid off, and from the instant it happened his demeanor fell. Everyone within my circle has done all we can to include him without making him feel as though he is putting us out, because he's not; we want him around. If that means buying him and his girlfriend tickets and drinks we feel it's well worth it to have them there. Problem is, he's no longer feelin' it, and is somehow convinced he's become a charity case.

Clearly, there is no right or wrong answer in this. But I am interested in how everyone here deals with this situation. Here are some things my circle and I have done:

1. BBQ- It's cheap! It only takes a few bucks to bring everyone to the table, and who knew they were bringing so much beer! Best of all, no one feels like a charity case.

2. Bonfire- No matter how old you get a bonfire is always fun (granted, now I have a permit). Where I am we opt for the beach, but I'm sure this can take place anywhere... campsite, sandpit, etc. Whatever your preference, a "Firestart" log, some beer or liquor, and you're golden.

3. City events! This is a great thing for not only my group due to a friends unemployment, but has opened my eyes to all my city has to offer! Honestly, I had no idea! I am absolutely loving the art festivals. And! Travel 15 minutes south and I get Hemp Fest!.. I get to be 18 again without worry of prosecution!

That's what I've got. What are all of you doing to keep your friends in the circle without hurting their ego? I'd love to hear it!
post #2 of 14
Don't worry about it. If he's your boy, it's all good.

Buy him and his gf some Jersey Boys tix and take them to Chilis.

No sweat...he'll do the same for you someday.
post #3 of 14
Take him or her out and get hammered.
post #4 of 14
Do you have any contacts that may be hiring? Keep a look out for a job for your friend. Obviously don't say I found you this job, but let him know any vacancies you've heard of and ask if he's interested. I can see why he may want to drop out of social activities, but keep in touch with the odd text or facebook comment - something that doesn't necessarily need a reply but will let him know you're there.
post #5 of 14
house party type of things is how i approached the same situation with one of my friends. pool parties, cookouts, day trips to the lake, etc. he's good at grilling so we just buy the shit and put him to work. if we go to the lake or anything, he's the driver, etc. it's hard to deal with the going out on the town things (movies, dinner, etc.) that cost more and have a direct value but we throw the invite out there anyways.
post #6 of 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by grundletaint View Post
house party type of things is how i approached the same situation with one of my friends. pool parties, cookouts, day trips to the lake, etc.

he's good at grilling so we just buy the shit and put him to work. if we go to the lake or anything, he's the driver, etc.

it's hard to deal with the going out on the town things (movies, dinner, etc.) that cost more and have a direct value but we throw the invite out there anyways.

Those are some good ways to keep an unemployed friend in the loop. We would invite our recently jobless friends over for pot-luck dinner nights, movie rentals, hang out in a park, day trips to the beach etc. Just have to make sure you keep them involved and also stay on the lookout for job openings.
post #7 of 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by H.B.O. View Post
A good friend of mine was recently laid off, and from the instant it happened his demeanor fell. Everyone within my circle has done all we can to include him without making him feel as though he is putting us out, because he's not; we want him around. If that means buying him and his girlfriend tickets and drinks we feel it's well worth it to have them there. Problem is, he's no longer feelin' it, and is somehow convinced he's become a charity case.
She's there for a reason. Get him to have her to pay for him.
post #8 of 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by H.B.O. View Post
If your friend was recently laid off how would you go about including him in regular activities or nights out without making him feel like a charity case?

A good friend of mine was recently laid off, and from the instant it happened his demeanor fell. Everyone within my circle has done all we can to include him without making him feel as though he is putting us out, because he's not; we want him around. If that means buying him and his girlfriend tickets and drinks we feel it's well worth it to have them there. Problem is, he's no longer feelin' it, and is somehow convinced he's become a charity case.

Clearly, there is no right or wrong answer in this. But I am interested in how everyone here deals with this situation. Here are some things my circle and I have done:

1. BBQ- It's cheap! It only takes a few bucks to bring everyone to the table, and who knew they were bringing so much beer! Best of all, no one feels like a charity case.

2. Bonfire- No matter how old you get a bonfire is always fun (granted, now I have a permit). Where I am we opt for the beach, but I'm sure this can take place anywhere... campsite, sandpit, etc. Whatever your preference, a "Firestart" log, some beer or liquor, and you're golden.

3. City events! This is a great thing for not only my group due to a friends unemployment, but has opened my eyes to all my city has to offer! Honestly, I had no idea! I am absolutely loving the art festivals. And! Travel 15 minutes south and I get Hemp Fest!.. I get to be 18 again without worry of prosecution!

That's what I've got. What are all of you doing to keep your friends in the circle without hurting their ego? I'd love to hear it!

Treat them to a night out drinking. Listen to your friend vent. Help them determine that it's not an end but a beginning.
post #9 of 14
When I got laid off it was the end of '08, really really bad times. My friends took me out, had a few drinks, kept me in the loop. It is actually a bit easier now as no one wants to spend any money. The other day we wanted to see either the new Yankees or Mets stadium. Neither venue could offer two tickets for below $125 and factoring in transportation and food it would be close to $100 pp to see a midweek baseball game. Instead we went to a fun midtown place that does $1 drafts and half price wings and had a bang up time and saw both games for $20 total on HDTV. The point is you can have a fun time for little to no $. The most important thing is to keep their spirits up Send an e-mail from work, even if its idle chit chat and make sure they continue to stay positive and look for jobs/leads/contacts. I kid you not, I was moving home on a Saturday and told a FEDERAL JUDGE I needed an interview date moved up from the following week. I guess being ballsy worked, and I got the job within two weeks of moving home. Lastly, offering to pay for everything is not the way to go. A beer here or there, but eventually the person will not want to go out at all.
post #10 of 14
Group sex is free and makes everyone feel included.
post #11 of 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by unjung View Post
Group sex is free and makes everyone feel included.

Don't believe everything they tell you in DT.
post #12 of 14
Be a friend. Help make sure his life doesn't spiral downward.
post #13 of 14
Stop by is house and play some x box.
post #14 of 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by rexthedestroyer View Post
Stop by is house and play some x box.

Good idea. Ive been there before, and have had friends of mine there right now.
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