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Articles
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Places to Meet Singles
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Bonny Albo
http://www.new-dating.com
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Where to Meet Singles
One of the easiest and least expensive ways to meet singles is to spend time where other singles hang out. Yet, many singles avoid this kind of interaction, either because they've "tried it before and it didn't work," or they feel silly doing nothing while trying to look available in a public place. These are both valid points, but neither are reasons to not try out some of these places to meet singles on your own. Perhaps a change of venue or attitude will make all the difference, but without trying you'll never know. In fact, you probably wouldn't be reading this article at all if you weren't in need of new ideas to jump start your current efforts, as whatever it is you are doing now isn't working to your satisfaction.
So grab a paper and a pen, get ready to jot down some ideas for later, and let's get started.
Coffee shops are one of my personal favorites when it comes to places to meet singles. It may seem obvious to some or completely alien to others - but it works. Find a busy coffee shop that you feel comfortable in, and take up a space near the main door. Don't bring anything to distract yourself with if you can manage it, although this may be more difficult for some than for others. The point is this: try not to involve yourself into something so completely that you send off 'I'm busy' vibes. You want to seem approachable, and hiding behind a laptop or an book doesn't help!
Then, make a point of 'greeting' each person who comes in the door, whether with a smile, comment or friendly hello. There is no need to make your introduction rote or sounding like you're a Walmart greeter however; just try and be yourself doing something that may not come naturally. By doing this you are not only making yourself known to all of the other patrons, you are also making yourself available to anything that comes your way - which could be a recommendation for a new book to read, a compliment about something you're wearing, or maybe even a date. Worst case scenario? Someone doesn't say hi back, and another person walks through the door ten seconds later. You've lost nothing in the process, and have opened yourself up just a bit further.
Separate from the obvious, there are several social events you can attend to increase your chances of meeting someone new. Try planning a weekly movie night through your friends and see who shows up every week, making it clear that new people are welcome to join at any time. Accept every party, wedding or social networking invitation you are given and attend. Another idea along this same vein would be to host your own party, where each invitee brings a potluck dish and a single friend (of the opposite sex for heterosexuals or same sex for gays and lesbians). This way there will be an evenly-matched number of singles, all interested and ready to meet someone new.
Meet Singles at Hobby, Special Interest and Support Groups
For those truly passionate about a particular hobby (i.e. writing, archeology, model trains, or motorcycles), look for a community group that services other people with similar interests. Your geographic location will determine whether or not there are readily accessible groups already ready and waiting for your membership. For those in smaller communities where the resources may not be as comprehensive, try talking to the owners of local shops you frequent to buy hobby-related materials and ask if they know of others to speak with regarding starting a group, o if you can post notices looking for other interested participants. Another idea would be to contact national organizations overseeing smaller local chapters to see if they are planning any speaking engagements or are looking to start a chapter in your area. Other ideas along these lines include attending LGBT film festivals, single parent organizations or meetings and health-related support groups.
Whether as a spectator or a participant, sporting events are also a frequent and commonly-used place to meet singles. Cheering on your favorite team or sweating it out to win a game, sports build camaraderie and companionship between people that sometimes have nothing else in common and would never meet otherwise. There are even singles sporting groups popping up that cater to an even smaller niche market, with the ultimate rewards for a single looking to meet new people: a larger cachet of singles with which to interact with and potentially date. A note for heterosexual ladies: attending a sporting event with other single friends will surely net you a conversation with a stranger if nothing else, since single women are usually in short demand.
Meet Singles By Taking a Course or at College and University
Whether you are taking a couple of courses to upgrade, are a full-time university student or are passionate about tole painting, every community both large and small have courses you can take that will not only net you more knowledge, but a whole new set of people to meet and interact with. If money is an issue, think about taking a class without getting credit or look into how old you have to be to receive free classes, since many universities now offer tuition-free options for seniors. And while you want to take classes that you have a personal or professional interest in, it never hurts to take something you normally wouldn't - if only because you have a hunch the type of person you are looking to meet would take that kind of class.
Meet Singles in Public Places
There is a reason why the catch-all "public places" ranks last on the list of places to meet people. It's not only vague, but also the most difficult of places to meet people, since you'll never be 100% sure the people you are interacting with are single and looking. Bus stops, laundromats, libraries, restaurants, bookstores, grocery stores and travel-related places (buses, trains, planes, etc.) all fall within the public place moniker, although there are surely many more to choose from depending on your specific lifestyle. What's to remember here is that you can meet someone special - anywhere, anytime, anyplace - and you want to be ready no matter what the circumstances.
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Bonny Albo
http://www.new-dating.com
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