There is no tried and true formula for meeting that special someone. We must rely on either luck or the wisdom of others. Using my own experiences and those of friends, family, and strangers, I’ve compiled a list of the five best places to meet a potential mate.

At a Party
Friends (and even acquaintances) are your greatest source for matchmaking. Parties bring together people with different connections to one another, expanding your social network greatly. Talk with your friends, but also mingle with the guests you don’t know. If you’re too shy, ask the host/hostess to introduce you. “My best friend threw a BBQ,” says one man I interviewed, “and my future wife came with a mutual friend. We ended up in the kitchen alone, talking all night. We ran into each other again at another friend’s party—and again, spent the whole time talking to each other. We began dating after that.”

Join a Club
What do you like to do? Do you like to play kickball, read books, or cook a gourmet meal? Join a club! Teams or groups are a great way to meet new people while doing what you enjoy. An added perk is that you will find someone who shares your interest, whatever that may be. To find a club, look on Craigslist.org, on bulletin boards of recreation centers, in local newspapers, or in a hobby-focused store (a sports equipment store may know of leagues, a yarn store may know of a knitting circle, etc.).

At Work
You spend nearly one-third of your life at work. You come into contact with many people in your line of work, whether they are co-workers, vendors, or clients. A word to the wise, though, some companies discourage personal relationships. Additionally, if the relationship sours, you’re in for an awkward work day. It’s best to proceed with caution on this option.

At a Bar/Club
I know, I know. You’re thinking, “A bar? Really?” However, for many people, bars and clubs are a legitimate place to meet other singles. It is certainly a social scene, one in which people feel comfortable approaching one another. With so many varieties, you’re bound to come across people similar to yourself. Maybe you prefer a relaxed sports bar or a glitzy martini bar. Chances are, the people you will meet there prefer the same kind of environment. Though bars often lead to casual flings, they can also bring you to your soul mate. A single mom described how she met her future husband: “I went out dancing with a friend of mine. At the club, I saw a really hot guy, who was a great dancer and was oozing charisma. I struck up a conversation with him that lasted about four hours. My friend and I gave him a ride home, he gave me an unexpected kiss goodbye, and we started dating a week after that.”

On the Internet
More and more, people around the world are meeting their significant others online, through dating services, chat rooms, and networking sites. The anonymity of the web gives you the chance to read profiles and email with a potential match before ever meeting them. You can even reconnect with old friends and classmates. One woman described her experience with online dating: “I was looking on Craigslist for furniture. Then, because I was bored, I decided to look at the personal ads. One ad leapt out at me; he was talking to me. It was so well-written and we had so much in common that I decided ‘I’ve got nothing to lose, I’m e-mailing him.’ We’ve been together ever since.”

Nevertheless, while the Internet may bring you the cream of the crop, it can also leave you scraping the bottom of the barrel. But some risks are worth taking. Keep an open (but cautious!) mind, and the Internet just might lead you to that special someone.

Publisher:
This is a guest article from TrueLoveDirect.com, a website on dating advice & tips, which has other interesting articles like:

· How to Attract a Man

· How to Get or Find a Girlfriend

· How to Find or Get a Boyfriend

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