I know, I know - You work really long hours and you aren’t spending your Sunday mornings in church, right? You wouldn’t be caught dead at a single’s event, and you know you can’t meet anyone decent at a bar. Luckily now you have this list to refer to when you’ve run out of ideas.


The 10 Best Places

Classes/ workshops
So you’re finally taking that basket weaving class you’ve been waiting for, and the pretty woman two rows up is asking for your help on finishing her first basket. You two go out for coffee and talk for hours on the merits of caning versus rattan. Mutual interests leads to the longest lasting relationships and friendships.

On the job
Some swear against it, but almost everyone’s done it. I’d advice against romantic dinners with the boss, but that interesting person in the marketing department whom you only bump into occasionally could hold promise.

Bookstores/Coffeehouses
Going to hear your favorite author speak is one way, hanging out in your favorite section is yet another, but you’ll probably have to get up the nerve to ask the object of your desire if he has any recommendations for books on the subject of (whatever section he’s standing in). Unless he’s holding a book entitled something like "How to live with your multiple psychotic personalities" or something like that.

Friends
My friends and I have what we lovingly refer to as ‘pathetic loser dinner parties,’ How it works: One person cooks dinner for the rest of us, from appetizer to dessert, while we just enjoy. The next week it’s someone else’s turn, and so on. When the club gets too big, we pair up. The thing is, someone always tries to bring a new person into the group- to become the prey of the regulars. It works quite nicely.

Health club
After you get over that first few years of embarrassment at your love handles or giggly thighs at your local gym, and finally show signs of confidence as you hit the mark of that final tenth sit-up, then you might want to actually put down the dumb bells and check out the scene. But be careful, some folks don’t want to be bothered during their workout. So go with your instincts.

Free Concerts in the Park
What better way to search for someone in the crowd than by relaxing to Chopin or listening to your favorite Shakespeare play. You could ask the ten people between you and her to pass along a flower you’ve picked, along with a note asking her if she likes the music.

Conferences/Trade shows
This is a super way to meet people, as conferences usually consist of getting on a plane and going somewhere where no one knows you, where after a day is spent gathering or dishing out important company information, there are usually a few parties happening in the hotels around town, (depending on how large the conference is). But if you’re attending some big accounting convention, you might want to have a few drinks at the bar before attending the show itself.

Ski Lodge
It’s twilight and happy hour at Heavenly, and most people are through skiing and ready to relax and socialize by the fire. You can increase your chances of meeting someone if they happen to be in crutches by the fire as a result of an unlucky tumble and can’t readily escape.

Walking the dog
Who can resist that cute puppy bounding down the path, begging to be petted and adored by everyone who crosses puppy’s path? And luckily, you’ll be there to field the important questions, such as ‘Oooh, what’s his name? What kind of dog is heeee?’ Don’t have a puppy? Borrow one. Don’t know where to find one? Start a business that rents puppies as props to meet people.

Weddings
Something about weddings puts people in the mood to meet other people, maybe it’s the pretty dresses, the romantic atmosphere, or the eight or nine glasses of champagne you just inhaled.




The 10 Worst Places

Strip bars
The chances are, if you’re not wearing less than who ever happens to be on the stage at the time, you aren’t going to get noticed in quite the same way. Of course if you rented a large T-bone Steak costume from the Halloween shop, you’d basically be symbolizing the same thing, but probably not get quite the same results.

Traffic court
Most people are probably way too cranky to be social if they’ve actually gone to traffic court of their own free will trying in vain to fight a ticket that they were probably in the wrong about in the first place.

The Waiting Room at the Experimental Hemorrhoid Clinic
Let’s not go here, shall we?

Prison socials
Although it’s fun to dance and drink punch with our incarcerated friends, it would probably turn out to be a lonely relationship in the long run. But think of the lovely license plates you’d get as gifts!

A Convent
She might appear to find you interesting, and she's so nice to you, asking you how your day went, trying to ply you with a bit of bread, a sip of wine- but beware! I think she’s taken.

IRS Audit
Not even you are going to be in the mood to be social if you have to go through this.

First day in Rehab
If the object of your desire isn’t scared off by your incessant shivering, swearing and drooling, then you might have met your perfect match.

Baby department at K-mart on a Sunday
Somehow I don’t think the man or woman of your dreams is going to be spending even one precious second of their day off here. Unless you like the ready-made family scene. And what kind of person is going to go checking wedding rings in that aisle?

The Graceland gift shop, at the special edition Elvis decanters sale table
What am I saying? Obviously, there’s someone for everyone.

A ‘Free Charles Manson’ Rally
If you get to talking to a nice girl and she tells you her name is Squeeky, Jr.- Run like hell! But then again, if you actually are at a ‘free Charles Manson’ rally of your own free will, I guess that means you scored, huh?