Moving, whether it be to a new neighborhood, city, province or country, can be alienating.
In this fast paced world we live in, sometimes we don’t make time to socialize or don’t know how to meet people to socialize with. As a result you sit night after night watching TV or spending your time on the computer.
The computer, you say, can help you meet people. Sometimes it can, but more often than not, it’s just faceless, meaningless chat-room conversation. It’s better to get outside of your home, see people face-to-face, socialize and have fun!
There are many reasons you may not get out to meet people. You’re too busy, too tired, too shy, or overwhelmed by it all. The alternative to making an effort to getting out there to meet people is to be alone.
Listed next are places and ways to meet people. All you have to do is leave your house! You have nothing to lose and so much to gain: FRIENDS! Change your attitude, be open to possibilities, relax, and have fun. Bars and nightclubs are not mentioned as there are better and preferred ways to meet people.
1. Join a health club: solves two problems; you’ll become less of a couch potato and more fit. Think of all the people you will meet. The friends you meet here will most likely be healthy, athletic and attractive. You’ll look better and feel better at the same time.
2. Take a class, any class: again a two in one tactic; you’ll learn something new and make new friends with similar interests. Conversation is easier if you have something in common.
3. Go to Museums: Many museums have special events and members only events. Become a member and meet lots of cultured people.
4. Got to sporting events: Go to sporting events of any kind; soccer, football, basketball etc. Go to professional games or college games, guaranteed to have fun.
5. Go to Flea Markets and Antique Shows: While you’re browsing the finds, you can people watch.
6. Play a Sport: Have you ever wanted to play soccer after watching a game on TV? Lots of towns have adult sport programs. Volleyball and tennis are common town recreational sports you could join.
7. Join a Book Club: Check this out at your local library. Reading books and sharing them is another great way to get to know people.
8. Join a Singles Group: Self-explanatory, there are many singles organizations out there that plan singles dances, get-aways, etc.
9. Volunteer: Help build houses for Habitat for Humanity; give out beverages at marathons, or join one of the many volunteer organizations.
10. Have a Party: Invite your friends and have them invite two friends and so on and so on.
11. Learn a craft: take craft classes at your local community center.
12. Join a Business Association: If you are a professional, join your local association. Network for your business and your personal life.
13. Go to School reunions. A great way to reconnect with your old best friend!
14. Get a dog and walk everywhere. Dogs are great people meeters!
15. Go to every party you are invited to: even if you don’t want to go…go. You never know who you’ll meet.
16. Join an Investment Club: make money and friends!
17. Travel and talk to everyone you meet. Learn about their life, culture, etc.
18. Go to seminars: lots of people go to seminars alone; great place to start a conversation.
19) Go to Wine Tastings: sometimes local restaurants have a wine-tasting night.
20. Go skiing, snowmobiling, snowboarding
21. Take a yoga, Tai Chi class: relieve tensions and meet other enlightened people.
22. Get a job. A new job is a great place to make some new relationships.
23. Join a women’s or men’s group
24. Take up acting; go to acting workshops, help create scenery.
25. Talk to everyone, everywhere. Remember, you can never have too many friends!
Hello Sheila!
I think that’s philosophical question, because it’s a problem 21 century. We are afraid to meet people and don’t know how to socialize with them. But anyway, we should try to do something for our future. Thank you for advice!
Hello Sheila!
Thank u so much 4 this wonderful information, it’s even not information but a great plan all of us should strive for. Most I liked the points 10 & 15, but to tell the truth all the ways r excellent & they always work!
Thank u.
In writing the article I realize I need to follow my own advice. I am an introvert and always marvel at people who are extreme extroverts. They cannot be alone for 5 minutes without seeking someone to interact with. One thing I try to do, however is to talk to everyone. If I am stanidng in line and have a comment to make about what is going on I will talk to whomever is around me. I have had some of the best conversations just by doing that. I recently spoke to a man in Sears who was going on a 50-day cruise around South America. One thing I know for sure is that people love to talk about themselves. So if you take nothing else from the list talk to everyone and be prepared to listen.
Thanks, Sheila. I agree with Vita — I think our modern life in the Western society might present some challenges here. I know I am making excuses when I say I am too busy, too tired, to apprehensive about sharing my problems… OK, the latter perhaps is a topic for a different discussion. However, when I came here over a decade ago, I did find some significant differences in the way people interact. This was (and continues to be) an extra challenge for an introverted person such a myself. I know my mistake right after coming to Canada was not doing the things you suggest — it would have made things easier and way more fun!
Hello Sheila!
Some time ago I asked Victoria about average price of membersip in sportsclub and she answered that she didn’t have such information. Could you tell me the middle price of annual membership? Is it exspensive to do sports?
Valentina
There are many different facilities (i.e. public, private) and plans but here is the average price:
Drop-in rate — $10.00
10 visit pass — $75.00
Adult montly pass — $55.00
Yearly — $589.00
What will also affect the price is having to work out during peak time which means a more expensive visit. Peak times are over the lunch hour and right at the end of the work day.
11+. Teach a craft
If it’s possible 🙂
Hello Sheila,
Thank you very much for your articles. I haven`t been comment but I read all of them and got just positive emotions. It must be said that your assays as well as answering our questions are really helpful for us. And I am really glad to hear that your reasoning are helpful for you too 🙂 I am talking about your recognition that you have to follow your own advice.
Concerning this article and all advices 🙂 I believe that I have already started to realize one of the most important of your advices — to be open to possibilities. Frankly speaking it was easy to do and now I can`t stop to find more and more great facilities in Calgary. It looks like I have a problem what to choose. Obviously, the reason is that there is no such possibilities in our town and my head goes around after reading great amount of booklets, sites and so on about Calgary. It is hard to realize that all these possibilities are available 🙂 and I am going to do my best to try everything! Wish you to follow your own advice too! Oh, one more thing: You have a chance to start earlier than we because you are there and we are still here 🙂
Hi FloE (Elena)
Another Elena — obviously a popular Russian name. Nice to hear from you. I am glad that you are open to trying new things. Too many people are afraid of anyting new and unfamiliar. They miss many interesting and wonderful experiences by rigidly sticking to the familiar. Yes, I try new things all the time. I am presently learning to play Squash. It is not easy but I will keep trying. Good luck on your future endeavors.
Yes, Elena is popular Russian name 🙂 After reading your answer I decided to read a little bit abut Squash. I`ve never seen it in real and after getting some information and analyzing photos I found that it is really difficult. You are a courageous person! 🙂 I have a strong wish to go to swimming pool. It is not so exciting as to play Squash but it is really what I need right now: relaxation! Moreover my 2 years old baby is crazy about swimming and I always promise him that very soon we will have a chance to go to the pool. I have to keep my promise.
I have one interesting question to you but it doesn`t concern this topic. My husband likes very much to drink Kambucha. I found this English equivalent here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kombucha and I am just curious if it is well known drink for you or not 🙂
FloE
I had never heard of Kambucha prior to your mentioning it. I will certainly read more about it.
Hi Sheila:
That is a great article. When I am teaching people how to find a job I tell them to network. In other words talk to any one and everyone about what kind of job they are looking for. If they say they are afraid to talk to strangers I pass on a Will Rogers quote — «A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet.» You and I were strangers before we met. This quote will get people over their shyness.
Darlene ( a long time friend)
Hi Sheila,
Yours seems to be one of the most useful threads in Vika’s blog! perhaps it would be worth to stick it up somewhere?
It’s my deep belief that friends are among the best human capitals, being second only to good physical health. Many of your list items should form a daily or at least weekly agenda on every newcomer’s diary.
Perhaps I could comment that for people in the former Soviet Union, networking was not the widely used concept. This might be explained by generally low mobility within the country, by a command structure of the state, by a number of restrictions that a former Soviet use to live with, etc. So networking might be a sort of challenge for new Canadians from our country, albeit a very exciting one 🙂
I’d be curious about # 24. How to locate the acting workshops? I am going to move to T.O., but would like to know how do I locate them.
Hi Lilia,
Thank you for your comments. In our busy, fast-pased world it is hard to meet true soul mates (people that you really connect with). We all have a lot of acquaintances, people that come and go in our lives and add a bit of flavour but not the true essence.
In our society networking has become more important than ever. It is often how one is able to get a job. Overall networking is easy if you are able to connect with prople. A simple conversation is often all it takes to open doors.
Regarding the acting lessons. Look for this information at the local community colleges. All offer Continuing Education classes. Also some of the small theatre houses might offer acting classes.
You will enjoy Toronto. A truly vibrant city and yes, a great place to get into acting as Toronto has many theatres. You will also love Ontario, a beautiful province that just invites a Sunday drive through the countryside stopping at one of the quaint towns for brunch and an afternoon of shopping.