Stan: I know many good
men and women who are at an age where they want to start a relationship,
especially one that leads to marriage, but they don’t know how to meet people.
What are some good ideas they can do to meet that special someone?
Good question, Stan.
If you’re the type of person who saves orphaned puppies, re-posts
thought-provoking memes, or prepares elaborate meals of
obscure ethnic origins, you are awesome. If you spend hours playing World of Warcraft with someone else's grandmother or volunteer at the local Walmart, you are
awesome. If you like to sing, write, dance, watch TV, listen to music, play
music, sleep….etc. you are awesome. However, being awesome is not enough to
find that special someone. It takes awesome to find awesome.
Below
is a list of places you can go to search for awesome people like yourself
because let’s be honest, chances are not great that you’re going to find the
love of your life at your niece’s birthday party or the McDonald’s drive-thru. Just
because you frequently spend time at the gas station does not mean you are
destined to meet your match while pumping fuel into your 2003 Toyota that probably
needs a bath, a vacuuming and some air fresheners. Check this list out, take that first step,
and talk to strangers!
THE PRE-TECHNOLOGY METHOD
For those of you who still refuse to join the masses on
Facebook, loathe texting and always hang up your phone as soon as you hear
someone’s voicemail, you will benefit most by taking the pre-technology method.
Search for your matches at these three places…
1. The Park
Necessary items: Paper and pen (for writing your number or e-mail)
A dog (for providing a topic of conversation with that cute
guy/gal)
Wallet with cash (for giving money to the local
inhabitants)
Suggested conversation starter: My dog likes your ankles. Do you
mind if she sniffs them?
2. The Library
Necessary
items: A bookmark and pen (for writing your number or e-mail)
library card (for "accidentally" dropping on the ground)
A
hamster in a cage (because who wouldn’t talk to you when you’re holding
that?)
Suggested
conversation starter: Do you like “Choose Your Own Adventure” books? You
do? Okay, then do you “A” ask me to coffee, “B” ask me to dinner, or “C” do
both and then take me to a movie?
3. Club/Bar/Lounge
Necessary
Items: Napkin and Pen (for writing your number or e-mail)
Driver’s License (for comparing awkward DMV photos)
A wingman (because four eyes are better than two)
Suggested
conversation starter: Where’s the bathroom?
THE ONLINE METHOD
For those of you hooked on WiFi like a patient hooked up to
an IV, the online method is perhaps the best way to go. Maybe you enjoy
expressing yourself with a vocabulary impossible for spontaneous speech, or talking
and making eye contact requires too much energy and breath. If you would rather
read than listen, prefer emoticons to facial expressions, or simply type faster
than you speak, try these three social dating sites.
4. eHarmony: Sounds a bit like “eat our
money.” Costs a little, but you get to talk to strangers!
5. LinkedIN: It’s like eHarmony, but for
career oriented people. Good for like-minded workaholics. Update that work
history, like all those “causes,” and fill up on “skills,” then the website suggests
new connections based on similarities! It’s a free digital matchmaker.
6. Facebook: Great for stalking, but
really it’s for people who are face-to-face and phone-phobic. Best strategy is to set up an event
and invite all your potential matches. Take care to comb over personal information,
interests and hobbies before making an invite list.
Suggested
conversation starter: LOL. Who knows how to do Tweeter?
THE PLACES OF FAITH METHOD
For those of you who are set on marrying a person of the
same faith and are convinced it’s IMPOSSIBLE to find a good match outside of
spiritual gatherings, this method is for you.
7. Young Adults Group: Also known as a
mixer for single people who aren’t married yet but aren’t supposed to act
interested in finding a life mate because that would look desperate, and you
shouldn’t show too much interest while searching for someone to love for the rest
of your life, otherwise it might distract you from your spiritual journey...right?
8. Mission Trips: A lot of people find
their life mate on mission trips because that’s pretty much the only time you
have a chance to get to know someone in a church setting, but you can’t act
like you like each other until after the trip otherwise it takes away
spirituality points.
9. The Leadership Team: It’s the cream of
the crop, the most well-balanced, spiritually stable people you’ll ever meet,
but also the most unattainable. Unless your first name is “Mary” and last name
is “Me,” your chances of matching up with someone from the “Core Group” are pretty
small, but it doesn’t hurt to try.
Suggested
conversation starter: Look into my eyes for two minutes, and I’ll pray God gives
me a “word” for you.
In conclusion, there are many places to look for that
special someone. There’s really no excuse NOT to go out and find them. Just
remember, finding an awesome person is just step one, talking to him/her is
still required…another topic for another day.
Stan—If all else
fails, pay a matchmaker to pair you up and hope for the best.
