Some of my male and female clients are having a hard time meeting the opposite gender. Much of the problem these days is that people are overworked and they spend so much time ALONE with their computers. I don't have to leave my house for anything, groceries, hardware, anything. Step one is that you have to do something that you love, that you can do all day, that you are in alignment with. But you HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. "Nothing happens until something moves." I decided to do some research on this subject. Whatever the reason might be, if you are having trouble meeting men or women), here's some ways that you might run across Mr./Mrs. Right. This items are not listed in order of importance;
- Internet dating/Cyber connections:
Cost: $0.00 to $50.00 USD monthly
Outside activities: (for interest groups) $5.00 to $100. USD per activity
Other: Internet access
There's a lot of sites out there that can assist you in finding Mr/Mrs. right for that matter. Of course there are things like Match.com, Eharmoney.com, etc. There are also free groups that one can join such as Plentyoffish.com. My opinion and my clients' experience with these types of sites varies. One thing seems to be common, generally, one might kiss a lot of frogs before meetings someone that one likes or is attracted to.
Not all of them are traditional dating sites. Some are sites like meetup.com, which are groups that actually (in real life not cyber life) have meetings and activities. Meetup.com and other groups like it have sub-interest groups like language clubs, home repair clubs, dog clubs, single parent clubs, etc. They do not cost anything to join, however some of their activities might.
Costs: $35.00 to $100.00 USD monthly
Activities: $35.00 to $85.00 quarterly
Other: gym clothing, shoes, walkmans or Ipods
Here's the catch, it has to be co-ed and one has to participate in the gym. That means doing more than just going to a yoga class. As many of my clients know, I am committed to the gym and I go to the YMCA as I have a toddler and they have loads of activities and a wonderful children's gym while I work out. There are two different Y's that I go to depending on my work and what kind of mood that I am in. I have had dates through people that I have met at the Y. More importantly I have met people that have literally changed my life through the YMCA. It has given me one of the most important communities in my life. I have many female clients that poo-poo the idea of the gym as they don't think that they can meet people when they are all sweating and not put together. Oh contraire! Get over yourself and don't worry about that. In addition, gym clothes aren't that expensive if you go to Sam's or Cosco's, Marshall's or TJMaxx.
- Dog runs or leash-less parks or groups of animal lover:
Costs: A dog /a cat and it's paraphernalia.
Many single men have dogs. If you have a dog, most cities have dog runs or lease-less parks where the dogs can run around without leases. I have known about three people that have met their partner this with. There's also something called Singles with Pets on the web, but that needs to be research by specific cites and locations. Not a bad idea if one is worried about meeting someone that will accept (and not be allergic to) Prince the pup or Felix the cat.
Other ideas for animal lovers are volunteering for the humane society or taking up a part-time job in a pet supply store. Reportedly these are perfect places to meet men.
Costs: Whatever you are buying.
There are two ways of meeting men (and women) here. The first is going to the hardware store to buy things. The other is taking up a part-time job at a hardware store. If you do that latter, allow me to tell you that the "big box" home improvement stores aren't easy to work for as scheduling is problematic and they run you to rags. It would be probably preferable to work in smaller stores such as the local hardware store or Ace, etc.
Home Depots, Lowes, some ACE Hardwares, Menards, etc do have "how to seminars".
If you decide to meet the opposite sex this way, be prepared to spend a bit of time there. In the spring, I live at home improvement stores and frankly, I have gotten work from being there, but not met anyone that I would care to date. That's because I'm in and out of there as quickly as possible.
- Sporting and Music Events:
Costs: Tickets or admissions fees
This is including but not limited to: music concerts, boat and camping shows, hunting an fishing shows, sporting events, Star Trek conventions, memorabilia conventions (like music albums, coins, etc), home improvement conventions, outdoor conventions, etc.
One might even mood light by working in public areas of a sports arena. Go work at a driving rang or a public golf course.
- The Part-Time Job or Volunteer Job:
Throughout this article I have mentioned jobs or volunteer work and you might wish to be creative here. What do you love? Where could you stay for hours and meet people? Do you fancy books? Working in camping and sporting stores, volunteering for parts and rec departments in the community-these are proven ways to meet people. If I had time, I'd love to work at Dick's Sporting Store. The benefit here is that if you are a paid employee and sometimes with volunteer work you are entitled to a discount on merchandise!
Costs: $15.00 to $50.00 USD seasonally, dependant on type of sport
Join a golf club, a softball team or anything that is co-ed.
Costs: Usually time donations.
This is a great way to meet people that have the same political view points. There's a bunch of stuff that can be done; call centers, rallies, etc. In the U.S. this year is a particularly good year for this. One doesn't just have to work for presidential candidates. If I do any work this year, it will be for the incumbent senator of my home state.
Costs: Usually donations or tithing.
Regardless if you meet anyone here, this is another good community that might be of use to you. Think outside the box here, too. It doesn't have to be a traditional church or synagogue or a mosque. It can be the TM Centre, self improvement seminars, etc.
- Library and library functions:
Costs: Usually none.
There's actually a lot to do at some libraries: fund raisers, benefits, books clubs, discussion groups, etc.
Costs: Whatever you drink or whatever the cover is.
Personally, I think this is a way to meet someone that just wants to have fun. It depends on your goals.
Things to remember:
If you work somewhere and you wish to stay in the job, dating in the job might not be the best idea. If you don't care..then date away.
Don't date the help at the gym, at least I'll never do that again.
It's best to meet people when everyone is sober.
Meeting people while you're doing things that you enjoy and are interested in is the best way, it will insure that you will have some things in common.