Approaching people to make friends in “a different culture and a different language” was difficult, Vik said.
After two years in Belfast, Nidhi realised how isolated they had become.
“I suddenly realised that we have no friends, no social life, and as a mature adult, I didn’t know how to make any.”
Back home in India, they loved cooking for friends and inviting groups over for celebrations.
Wanting to recreate that sense of connection, they created an Instagram page, Masala Talkies, and posted an online form for anyone who wanted to come to dinner.
People of all ages and backgrounds, from Belfast and beyond, filled it out, and Nidhi chose a group of ten who she thought would mix well with each other.
Inviting total strangers into their home wasn’t easy.
When applying to attend, people are asked about their personality and interests.
Do they like to sit back and soak up the atmosphere? Do they prefer deeper, one-on-one chats? Or are they the life and soul of the party – the kind that could make a group of strangers feel like family?
Nidhi and Vik use that information to curate the mix around the table.
“You’re going by what they put on the form, and you’re going with your gut,” Nidhi said.
“We’ve been very fortunate to make a lot of friends so far, but it is nerve-wracking.”
