We bought a beautiful 2014 NC3.75. Part of the point was the benefit of being in the owners club, we visited our local group and were well welcomed by three of the local groups officials. We did take part in the record attempt at Elvington where everyone was very friendly and very chatty
Sadly at our next two club night visits not one person spoke with us. Every one was in their own groups, sat their regular tables.
So sadly we decided to leave the club.
Please when you get new members do try and talk with them, make them welcome.
5 Likes
That was my experience with another club . I donât defend the bad manners you experienced , but donât judge a club by a tiny handful of members . And donât passively accept poor behaviour - you need to take the initiative as weIl , so do what I did, start conversations . 20 years later , I can look back on being a director of that club for five years and the source of some lifelong friendships .
Try one more meeting , but this time walk over to the table , say 'Iâm Steeve , who are you ? â and take it from there
8 Likes
Sorry to hear this. It may be an international disease, particularly post-plague. I have been a member of the local astronomical society for four years, go to the monthly meetings, and still nobody talks to me!
Everybody needs to make a conscious effort to avoid this happening.
David
Thatâs people for you.
1st in Q for bog roll & pasta âŚperhaps
I had the same in Capri Club Int, and the Monza OC.
Palsy wee cabals & cliques.
Just like a primary playground really. 
Stuff 'em. 
Best & friendliest one was the Mx5OC I have to say.
I prefer them.
Loyal & loving.
3 Likes
This does unfortunately seem to happen from time to time and not just in this club, this behaviour can be experienced in any grouping unfortunately. I do agree with your last line, it does go both ways and can be difficult to make headway if not reciprocated. My experience in general is that on the whole the MX-5 OC is welcoming and itâs a shame you didnât experience that.
3 Likes
Where are you based? You could try an adjacent area before giving up. Different areas have different focuses and member demographics so you could sign up to a few nearby newsletters and reach out to one you like the look of.
Looking at your profile, you made at least one post in NEM. Iâm surprised if it was that group you found tricky to integrate with. My girlfriend and I organized a run in October for NWM to Ashbourne and The Great British Car Journey. We combined groups with NEM (coordinated by @morty) and found the NEM members that came along extremely friendly.
Could you give the Club another chance in 2023?
3 Likes
Iâve Never Actually Made It to a Meet or Any MX5 GatheringâŚYet 
So Envy Your Attendance at Elvington [Ironically Used to Live a Stones Throw AwayâŚBut Didnât Own an MX5 at the Time]
But I Still Feel Welcome and Included By the On-Line Community
Which SteeveâŚYou and Mrs/Mr Steeve Are Too as an MX5 Owner [Membership or Not] 
1 Like
My first visit was the same back in 2013, and the second only marginally better. Luckily on the second visit there was a couple of newish members who chatted. Since then things have moved on and greatly improved and the clicky group have moved on. Nine years on I am joint AC and hope that we make new and old members feel welcome. I refer to South Central Area and hope members feel welcme at our meetings. If not, please let me know (politely) and I will try and to put matters right.
3 Likes
I try to attend the Northampton group meets at least 3-4 times a year & they have them on the 3rd week each month however I am not the easiest to get on with But I have always been made welcome⌠some speak some donât but some times the effort has to come from you⌠All in all there a good bunch and have lots going on the best thing is to do a run out with them I would give it another go inject your selfâs in & if nothing happens try another groupâŚgood luck to you âŚ
3 Likes
Im happy with the Forums or online side of a lot of things but Clubs in general do get clicky its a them and us mentality in general
Its not all clubs but the majority so what the OP has experienced is not rare which is why i personally dont bother anymore , You also then get the group inside the club that wants to do whatever they want and nobody else gets a say and if you try to it generally leads to arguments and bad feeling
So basically you join in with the itinerary or leave .
2 Likes
Very well said and agree.
Itâs a bit like the House of Lords syndrome really.
Older people perhaps set in their ways and will never change it for the better.
As the gloves are off.
This Forum can also be very clicky with certain individuals supporting one another and how âdare we disagreeâ perhaps with an opinion that is actually better.
Then you get the PMâs going (yes we all have done it perhaps)âŚ
Human beings ehh!! 
Edit-
I do apologise for using the term âClickyâ and not âCliqueyâ. 
See what I mean they canât help it.
I rest my case.
1 Like
It was probably the time of year. We intended to go on any runs that were publicised, but getting into early autumn with nights drawing in, there werenât any. so by about 7.30 or so it was getting dark so no people in the car park to engage with. Members were in the pub but all sat at full tables. So my wife and I (both gregarious people) ended up just sat on our own. We did make eye contact and smile at people but we ended feeling like Billy No Mates.
Iâm sure they are a friendly group. I was just posting to make club members aware they need to consciously make new people welcome. Just a brief chat, a few words can make all the difference.
This was the only reason I decided to sell the MX5.
Then there are those damned pedants who will insist on pointing out that it is 'cliquey ; and not 'clicky â .
But seriously - clubs are what you make them . The fact that members form friendships is to be welcomed .
Shyness can manifest itself as the feeling that others are hostile. Bite the bullet and just talk to people - it nearly always works .
1 Like
Thatâs a very sad state of affairs.
We love our car and wouldnât sell it based on how other people behave.
Plenty of other avenues out there to explore with an MX5, (quite a few of us are ex bikers and still meet up with them).
Or just go on your own and not have to worry about others.
Always look after number one!
All the very best.
4 Likes
âBilly No Matesâ 
Who Hasnât Joined a Club or Started a New Job and Not Felt Like This 
Itâs Absolutely Awful 
Sounds Like You and Mrs Steeve Joined for the âSocialâ and Were DisappointedâŚSorry About That 
I Joined Because I Love My MX5âŚ[Any Social is a Bonus 
]
So Sad You Selling Your MX5 because you felt Folk didnât make you feel welcome enough as Newbies
Kindest
1 Like
Sadly the energy for impromptu socialising that used to exist, has been sapped away by modern life. If you want it, watch Fools and Horses.
Too many on here expect a car club to produce instant social stimulation and a circle of new friends. That will not happen anywhere today and never has happened at car clubs.
We are generally so bad at socialising nowadays that an event or other distraction is a prerequisite for any chance of success.
My advice is join any club for the events and other opportunities; treat any soupcon of genuine social interaction as a bonus.
1 Like
Sadly, this is another symptom of the progress (?) of modern society.
The Wiki sums it up nicely talking about EM Forsterâs 1909 short story which is seeming ever more prescient.
6 Likes
Eerily prescient. Quite amazing really, the predictions he makes.
2 Likes
I may be of 1952 vintage but I donât actually think the world has gone to the dogs , that the good old days were best and that nobody talks to anyone anymore.
Iâve enjoyed many impromptu chats with strangers this year, from venues including Cadwell Park , Santa Pod , car club meets , the local arts group and a gig at the Royal Festival Hall . Most people are friendly enough , unless age and cynicism has brought on a bad case of misanthropy . I must be immune
2 Likes