Three Ways To Meet People (That Don’t Involve Bars)

It’s a piece of advice you can find all over the relationship related blogs and sites: if you want to meet guys, you need to get out and meet people.  Still, people ask a lot of questions about where to go, and what would be the best choice, especially for non-drinker? We sat down with Alex Wise of Loveawake dating site and asked his advice about the places to meet people that don’t have a two-drink minimum.

Church

Well, I guess depending on your beliefs this has a one-drink minimum.

Did it suddenly get hot in here?

Jokes aside, it’s easy to forget one of the major functions of religious services back in the day was to get out and meet the neighbors you never saw since you spent all day performing backbreaking labor on the farm.  But even now, it’s still a good socializing opportunity if you’re religious or are at least willing to spend a few Sunday mornings listening to sermons.

If you’re already a regular churchgoer, look into volunteering that your church offers its congregation, especially youth groups.

Animal Shelters

I’m big on volunteering to meet people in the first place, but I’m especially big on animal shelters for two reasons: one, they really need the help, especially in the current economy.  A lot of people can’t afford their animals, so there are a lot of animals in shelters right now. And, two, it’s pretty much the perfect environment to relax in.

Think about it: you’re spending all day with dogs and cats, many of which are compulsively cute, many of which you’ll be walking, feeding, and playing with.  You and anybody you meet will probably be in a great mood, which is half the battle right there.

And if all else fails, you can adopt a furry little wingman.  More on that next week.

Community Theater

Despite what you may hear, in community theater, drinking is optional.  Unless you’re the stage manager, in which case, you’ll be driven to drink anyway.

“But I can’t act!” you may be thinking.  Well, so what?  Community theaters need every hand they can get, and a lot of people go to see the shows.  Even if you’re just an usher, you’ll still be meeting the cast and crew and hanging out with them, especially if there are technical delays.

If nothing else, this is one of the greatest icebreakers in social situations ever.  You can just mention you work in the local community theater, and people will bombard you with questions about it: for some reason, everybody finds community theater endlessly fascinating.

Also, despite the stereotypes, you will meet a lot of straight guys.  In fact, you’ll probably be helping them lift heavy objects: theater’s like that.

How about you, readers?  What’s your best place to meet guys that isn’t a bar?