Love or hate online dating, it is slowly becoming the most common way to meet new people. But if you do despise the world of apps, profiles, and swiping, there’s no need to panic. It’s still totally possible to meet someone new without online dating! Is it harder, particularly in a post-COVID world? Maybe. But it is possible! Check out these ways to meet guys or girls that have nothing to do with an app.
- Attend work networking events. Some say that dating and work doesn’t mix. True, you can get in a sticky situation if you date someone at the office and it doesn’t work out. Still, it’s a good idea to attend all the networking events that you can. This can not only help your career, but also broadens your wider social circle. The more friends and acquaintances you have, the more people you know who could potentially set you up with the one. That is if you don’t meet the one at said networking events. Stranger things have happened!
- Go to every party you’re invited to. You have to put yourself out there when your goal is to meet someone new. But that doesn’t have to be on a dating app. Putting yourself out there can honestly be as simple as attending the parties you’re invited to. Again, social events like this are good because they can put you in the path of absolutely anyone. Even if you think you know all the people who will be there already, you never know when someone new might turn up unexpectedly.
- Get to know your friends’ partners. Friends’ partners can be a great way to meet someone new to date. Don’t be afraid to ask them if they know anyone they can set you up with. Or if your friends live with their partners, maybe they can host a dinner party and invite all their friends at once. These opportunities will give you the chance to mingle with new people. And if you do hit it off, you’ll be able to double-date with your friends!
- Grab a coffee on your own. Yes, it can take courage to go to a restaurant or café on your own. But Her Norm recommends getting a coffee on your own as a great way to meet new people. When people see you sitting on your own, they’re more likely to start a conversation with you. It might be another patron of the café who’s also by themselves. Or it could even be someone who works there!
- Take your dog to the dog park. As if we needed more evidence that dogs are magic! Your dog gives you an excuse to get out and socialize with other people who love dogs. Take your pooch to the dog park, and as he mingles with other pups, you can chat to the owners. Alternatively, you could take your dog to puppy school, obedience classes, day care, or anywhere else that other dog parents will frequent.
- Join a club. Clubs are effective ways to meet new people that you’ll actually hit it off with because you tend to have the same interests as them. If you join a club for photography-lovers, for example, you’ll meet a bunch of people who have the same hobby as you. That common ground makes it easier to bond from the beginning.
- Take a new class. By signing up for a new class, you can kill two birds with one stone: meet someone new, and learn a new skill! Many classes naturally involve lots of interaction between students, so pick something you’re interested in and enjoy yourself. Again, even if you don’t meet anyone in the class you want to date, meeting new friends leads to a wider social group, which increases your chances of eventually meeting someone you do want to date.
- Volunteer. Along with giving back to the community, volunteering is a wonderful way to meet someone new to date. And that person will probably be really kind too! Pick a cause that you’re genuinely passionate about and take the volunteering seriously. Don’t just use it as a pick-up place! But in most cases, you’ll naturally connect with others who share your values.
- Talk to your neighbors. Bustle lists talking to the neighbors to meet new people to date. And it’s great advice! You never really know your neighbors until you take the time to get to know them. So don’t brush them off just because they don’t look like the type of person you would date. They might have a friend, brother, nephew, or cousin who’s single!
- Treat every outing like a possible chance to meet someone new. Wherever you go to meet guys, you’ll have a better chance of connecting with someone if you feel good about yourself. So always take the time to put that extra effort into your appearance. It’s not about impressing with your looks, but about feeling good within yourself. The better you feel, the more likely it is that you’ll attract someone amazing to date.
