Lemons, I think this is just a common TV trope.

With sitcoms in particular, it doesn't seem to matter what any one character is doing, or what one particular couple is doing, even if-- especially in the case of a couple --they are going out for a "special night out" or a cruise at sea or a vacation or some other such thing . . . EVERYBODY from the main group in the show ends up in the same place.

I understand why it's done, but it's unrealistic and very contrived if you think about it. In the case of TBBT, with Sheldon, as grateful as his very introverted/socially-inept character is to have friends, it does seem he especially would not want to be with the group at all times, misanthrope that he is . . . and yet, he seems to want to be with the pack all the time; it doesn't really make sense.

As for real life, I think it is more likely people travel in packs when they are younger, into their twenties until about 30; after that, most people start to have family/work responsibilities that take more time away from "friend time". That's my take on it, anyway.

Sheldon especially needs to have others around him as a protective shield. If it's true that even on the show, he hasn't gotten seriously beaten up/down, it's likely because he's rarely alone. Also remember what happened when he was alone at Bozeman, etc.

Yes for a television show there is always a group so if you don't like one character there is always another to annoy you, BBT, Friends, Cheers, etc

I agree with Northcoast, when you're in your twenties there is usually a group you hang out with then they move on.

As for me either way is fine but smaller groups are better

Group: When your a Jet - West Side Story

Alone: Greta Garbo

@SpecialFlowers said:

TBBT gang has always seemed to have the need to travel in packs. Earlier in the series we saw them spending most of their down-time together, especially at dinner, and even now there are a lot of scenes with several or all of them together doing "this or that". I'm not sure what percentage of their lives that the scenes from the show are meant to depict, and I also know that scenes of them by themselves could be rather dull, but from what we see the characters don't seem to want or need much alone time.

What do you think- is the above assumption correct? Do the members of our gang feel a need to travel in packs? Is this realistic or just something that has to be done for the purposes of the TV show?

Do you travel in packs with your friends or do you prefer one-on-one get-togethers with friends? Do you heavily value your "alone time"?

I much prefer one-on-one time with friends and alone-time is also a good thing when not excessive. I need to it re-charge.

I typically hang out with the same group of friends from College, we're really like a wolf pack.

Alone time/ RnR is good but Im an extrovert , I need to be around people.

@northcoast said:

Lemons, I think this is just a common TV trope.

With sitcoms in particular, it doesn't seem to matter what any one character is doing, or what one particular couple is doing, even if-- especially in the case of a couple --they are going out for a "special night out" or a cruise at sea or a vacation or some other such thing . . . EVERYBODY from the main group in the show ends up in the same place.

I understand why it's done, but it's unrealistic and very contrived if you think about it. In the case of TBBT, with Sheldon, as grateful as his very introverted/socially-inept character is to have friends, it does seem he especially would not want to be with the group at all times, misanthrope that he is . . . and yet, he seems to want to be with the pack all the time; it doesn't really make sense.

As for real life, I think it is more likely people travel in packs when they are younger, into their twenties until about 30; after that, most people start to have family/work responsibilities that take more time away from "friend time". That's my take on it, anyway.

Northcoast, you and I think a lot alike! I, too, had thought about Sheldon in particular, as someone who would relish time to himself. And perhaps we are to assume that he does have some time alone, just not that we're shown.

And I agree with the assessment that traveling in packs occurs more when you're younger. My husband and I used to have several couples with whom we'd go out in group settings when we were first married, but these days with kids and work getting more demanding, I'm lucky to catch a friend for an hour-long coffee date here and there. I do enjoy the one-on-one time with my friends very much, though, so no complaints.

@Knixon said:

Sheldon especially needs to have others around him as a protective shield. If it's true that even on the show, he hasn't gotten seriously beaten up/down, it's likely because he's rarely alone. Also remember what happened when he was alone at Bozeman, etc.

Yes, Sheldon is lucky to have so many good and patient friends around, both for companionship and protection. Safety in numbers.

@znexyish said:

Yes for a television show there is always a group so if you don't like one character there is always another to annoy you, BBT, Friends, Cheers, etc

I agree with Northcoast, when you're in your twenties there is usually a group you hang out with then they move on.

As for me either way is fine but smaller groups are better

Group: When your a Jet - West Side Story

Alone: Greta Garbo

Your group and alone opposites reminded me of the Grover near and far routine. Sometimes you want to be near others, and sometimes you want to be far.

@CalabrianQueen said:

I typically hang out with the same group of friends from College, we're really like a wolf pack.

Alone time/ RnR is good but Im an extrovert , I need to be around people.

I think this is a perfect example of our different stages in life. You're younger, and hanging with a group of friends is very common at your age, and lots of fun!

General comment: I think this is one more reason that it's good the show is ending now. The characters are getting to a stage in life when they'll spend less time with friends and more time concentrating on work and/or family, which would make it harder and harder to show them as a group without it seeming really unrealistic.

@SpecialFlowers said:

TBBT gang has always seemed to have the need to travel in packs. Earlier in the series we saw them spending most of their down-time together, especially at dinner, and even now there are a lot of scenes with several or all of them together doing "this or that". I'm not sure what percentage of their lives that the scenes from the show are meant to depict, and I also know that scenes of them by themselves could be rather dull, but from what we see the characters don't seem to want or need much alone time.

What do you think- is the above assumption correct? Do the members of our gang feel a need to travel in packs? Is this realistic or just something that has to be done for the purposes of the TV show?

Do you travel in packs with your friends or do you prefer one-on-one get-togethers with friends? Do you heavily value your "alone time"?

I much prefer one-on-one time with friends and alone-time is also a good thing when not excessive. I need to it re-charge.

When we travel we go in packs, I Ain't called the Arctic Fox for nothing.

I'm all seriousness, we have a tight nit group that we spend time with whether it's movies or travel , domestic or international.

As Sheldon once informed us a group of cats is called a clowder. And I just learned that a group of foxes is called a skulk. But what is a group of lemons called ?

Names for groups of animals

@znexyish said:

As Sheldon once informed us a group of cats is called a clowder. And I just learned that a group of foxes is called a skulk. But what is a group of lemons called ?

Names for groups of animals

From another list...

Elephants: a parade

Really sounds like a group of animals that's having a good time.

@znexyish said:

As Sheldon once informed us a group of cats is called a clowder. And I just learned that a group of foxes is called a skulk. But what is a group of lemons called ?

Names for groups of animals

Made me about what a 'group of humans' is called--too many to list. Didn't read all of them; but it looked liked more terms than all the ones you shared—combined!

@znexyish said:

As Sheldon once informed us a group of cats is called a clowder. And I just learned that a group of foxes is called a skulk.

Or a glaring. Sheldon gave that name too, at the same time.

But what is a group of lemons called ?

A used- car lot?

@znexyish said:

...But what is a group of lemons called ?

Lemonses? Still art?