Meeting someone new can be one of life’s most exciting experiences. But it can also be the most challenging.
If you’re struggling to find new friends, try a few of these strategies. They’ll help you break out of your shell and make connections in real life.
1. Join a group
Whether you’re single or not, joining a group can help you meet someone new. The best way to do this is to look for groups that interest you and go to their events.
Groups come in all shapes and sizes – some focus on like-minded discussion, while others take on current world issues. Some groups even focus on specific minority groups looking for a community to connect with.
Groups are a great way to meet people because they usually include regular attendees who want to add some more people to their social circle or get involved in a particular activity. They also reduce the awkwardness of dating and make it easier to socialize with a variety of people.
2. Go to a social event
If you are a social person, attending a social event is a great way to meet someone new. However, it is also important to consider whether the social event is worth your time and energy.
If it’s not, you may want to consider staying in and chatting with your friends via social media instead.
If you have trouble making decisions about what to do, take a look at your calendar and prioritize the events that matter most to you. For example, it’s usually a good idea to attend social events that are significant for loved ones.
3. Go to a public speaking event
Public speaking can be a great way to connect with new people and grow your business. With practice, preparation, and research, you can develop a strong foundation of public speaking skills.
You can go to a public speaking event as a guest speaker or as a participant. It’s a great way to build your confidence and meet other people with similar interests.
You can also join a public speaking community online. MeetUp is a good place to find public speaking groups in your area. There are thousands of amateur speakers and professional speakers who can help you sharpen your public speaking skills.
4. Go to a coffee shop
Coffee shops are a perfect place to meet someone new. You can get a drink and chat about everything from the quality of your espresso to the best desserts on the menu.
The atmosphere is also very important in a coffee shop. It should be welcoming and cozy with a comfortable seating area.
The next step is to focus on the service that your customers receive. Make sure that they can easily find sugars and sweeteners and that baristas are friendly and available to answer questions.
5. Go to a restaurant
A restaurant can be a great place to meet someone new. Try sitting at the bar and making conversation with the people around you.
Asking about a menu item is a great way to break the ice. Or if there is a sporting event on TV, you can chat about that too.
If you’re a first-timer, be sure to take the time to look at the menu and choose something from it that’s interesting and fun to eat or drink. This will get you and your date talking in no time.
6. Go to a bar
It may sound like a romantic cliché, but people actually do meet someone new at bars. The reason is simple: They are a self-selecting crowd.
The bar is where people go to blow off steam, drink and have fun. This makes it easy to start a conversation.
However, it can also be a bad place to look for love. There are plenty of reasons why you should not meet someone at a bar.