It’s a matter of receiving some motivation, sharing goals, and accepting training tips.
In Greece, there is a lack of ‘communal-interaction’ among different groups, and athletes in general (especially sprinters). in the U.S., experiences were completely different. I feel completely alienated in my own city in Thessaloniki, (on the track). While I have track-acquaintances and a few friends, I haven’t been able to get the help that I would want to. As if each little group is a little ‘maffia’ on its own.
In Milan, I’ve had the same problem, it might have been partly my fault, as I always went to the track on random times, and didn’t care too much for social relations. And also from the people who I talked to, no-one really ‘attracted’ me. It’s an instinct thing. I don’t bond with just anyone, if you knew me even a little, you’d understand. Need for social -connectedness? Me? Are you nuts?? :rolleyes:
Sicilians: yes, two brothers, very nice, intelligent and likeable. Their coach approached me in the first place (something that in Greece just never happens; people just look and gossip or try to extract information from third sources, there’s a ‘fear of directness’ in general, for whatever silly nonsense reason). I liked them right away, and stuck with them. They offer positive attitude and I offer it back. It’s as simple as that.