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"Where do singles go to meet someone special?" I get asked that question quite a lot.
And sometimes I am the one doing the asking -- you see, I also am a single, unattached and interested
in sharing my life.
Younger people, especially those in university or college, have an advantage.
They are surrounded by multitudes of available people in their own age range. Extra-curricular activities provide the perfect setting to meet someone who shares
your interests. As well, students
often have more time to search for a significant other, if they make it a priority and don't have other commitments like family or careers.
However, as we get older, and the pool of available singles shrinks proportionally every year, the situation can get rather frustrating.
I have always maintained the belief that bars are the absolute worst place to look. Loud, smoky and high-pressure
connections between people are based on shallow foundations of looks and insincerity. Frankly, I don't even know of any
"singles" bars in the area. I am sure there must be certain bars and nightclubs where it is known
that unattached men and woman hang out, but I am really far removed from that sort of scene.
A much more laid-back approach can be found in bookstores, especially Chapters, where you can
sit back and read anything in the store while sipping on a cup of coffee. Speaking of coffee, coffeeshops are
another alternative. The advantage to bars is that alcohol is not a factor, as well, I find a more intellectual and often more mature (25 and up)
clientele seem to dominate. My favorite coffeeshops are, I have to admit, the two big ones: Second Cup
and Starbucks. But I also know there are excellent
independent coffee houses like the Sugar Bowl, and don't for get Steeps on 124 street and Stony Plain Road if you prefer
tea to coffee.
Now, I have to admit that even though I hang out in the above spots quite a bit, I have never actually met anyone.
I often use them when I am going on a first "get to know you" coffee date, but I have never had someone
approach me and ask for my phone number. It probably comes down to timing -- some parts of the day are better than others, some days of the week you are more likely to run into someone --
but sometimes it doesn't hurt to take a chance and deliberately try and get yourself fixed up with Mr or Ms Right.
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