I'm friends with a lot of 16-23 year olds

[porkchoppa]

Im friends with a lot of 16-23 year olds that I’ve met at various hang out places (they’re all safe). I’ve told my friends about them and the only reactions I get are “OH HE’S A CREEPER!” “HE’S GOING TO RAPE YOU!” But the thing is they don’t know them at all. I’ve developed close friendships to most of them and they are good people with good intentions. They even volunteer at places and have mental disabilities like I do. I understand some smoke, but they’re the age to smoke in the first place. They are old enough to drink too. That doesn’t mean I’m going to be “influenced,” unless of course I’m forced to, which won’t happen. They have even said to me “never do what I did!” “you’re like my little sister I will look out for you.” I am fully aware that I have to “look out” for things they could do, but I am positive nothing bad will happen. I know them well enough, for half a year I’ve known them. Yet my friends can’t get over their thick-minded thoughts that they’re bad people. How can I help my friends understand that these older people are also my friends and are completely safe?:yummy:

[Miserabilia]

well you havent told us how old you are,
but if they are mature and you are too, then theres nothing to worry if you are just casual friends

[zeebo]

Depends how long you've known them. Only time can tell if you really are influenced by them or not.

[jaxian rhyder]

Just tell them to meet them

[MoonMan]

Sounds like the friends your age are just immature, so their opinion on this shouldn't count for much. Who cares what they think, I'm not sure why you had to tell them about your other friends in the first place. It sounds like you have two sets of friends, you should try to keep it that way because it seems like they wouldn't mix well together anyways. Their reaction could also just depend on what age you are, if you're like 14 then you should be well aware that it will frowned upon to hang out with people who are that much older you. And, despite what you may think, half a year is not long enough to tell if you're really influenced by them or not. We are all influenced by our constant environments (including longterm friends and family) one way or another. Smoking and drinking is unhealthy no matter what age you are, so I'm not sure why you would mention their age as some sort of consent unless we're speaking strictly on legal terms here.

[notsure101]

Just bring one or two of your friends around the older group of friends to show them that there harmless and are good people.