How to meet new people?

In this fast paced world we live in, sometimes we don't make time to socialize. Before you know it, your friends have all gone their own ways and often you are left alone. You sit night after night watching TV or spending 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 chatroom 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, too frustrated by the social scene, and just overwhelmed by it all. But the alternative is to be alone.

Listed next are 25 places to meet people. Some ideas to help get you motivated to go out and make some new friends. 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 many 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 High School/College Reunions: A great way to reconnect with your old best friend!

14)Get a Dog and Walk Everywhere: go to parks and the beach with your dog. 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: go to the islands; Europe; talk to everyone. Learn about their culture.

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 new job: Is your job boring, going nowhere, maybe you need a change. 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

As you can see, these are not difficults methods.

They are tried and true. Remember, you can never have too many friends!

Wanna meet people?

You're all settled into your new apartment and you're feeling pretty good. The cabinets are fully stocked, the cable's hooked up, and IKEA just delivered your snazzy new sofa. Not to mention the latest blackberry phone capable of second generation polyphonic ringtones. But let's see the facts: you're sitting on it right now, watching Walker, Texas Ranger. It's Saturday night. You're a loser.

But before you start speed-eating Oreos, you should realize it's not as tough as you think to meet people in your new neighborhood. After all, Mary Tyler Moore met Rhoda, right? With a little personality and bit of perseverance, you too can have a few wacky neighbor friends to call your own. Just follow these steps and you'll fit right in.

1. APPROACH PEOPLE

Fine. You're in a new neighborhood and you don't know a soul. But unless you've relocated to a ghost town (which would explain the "no soul" thing), chances are that you'll see people walking in and out of the apartments and/or houses nearby. These people are called your "neighbors." They also represent socializing prospects, so suck in your shyness and say hello.

Remember who it was who said "first impressions count?" Neither do we, but we think you should take those words to heart anyway. Like it or not, your first interactions with your new neighbors will determine your fate - inside of 20 seconds, they'll decide what they think of you. Mess up, and you'll forever be branded a weirdo. But don't let that stress you out. Adhere to the following, and your first impression will be stellar:

• The spotting. Check out your neighbor from a distance. Is she pushing a baby carriage with one hand and trying to keep screaming kids at bay with the other? If so, now may not be the ideal time to approach her. On the other hand, if your new neighbor is whistling as he moseys inside, hands down in his pockets, smiling at nothing in particular, the timing is probably right.
  
  
• The approach. Don't sneak up on your neighbor. Walk in view of him/her - even wave as you approach. This may sound obvious, but think about how freaked you'd be to talk to someone who scared the living daylights out of you.
  
  
• The greeting. As soon as you reach your new neighbor, introduce yourself in whatever way you feel comfortable. "Hi, I'm Sam. I just moved in," is fine (if your name is Sam, that is). Unless your neighbors are complete social idiots, they will pick up the slack at this point and offer an excited, welcoming reply.
  
  
• The conversation. Keep the conversation steered toward common ground: living in the area, neighborhood activities, things to do about town. Most importantly, watch for signs that your new neighbor is finished talking. Don't keep them there any longer than they want to be there. And don't start asking invasive questions about your neighbor's personal life. In good time, you'll learn more private details. A nice quick conversation involving something like "What's the best grocery store 'round these parts?" will be fine.
  
  
• The exit. Regardless of what was said or not said, how you finish it off is the most important part of "being friendly." Leave your new neighbor thinking that you are relaxed, easygoing, and someone he/she is going to look forward to running into at a later date. If you followed these steps carefully, odds are your new neighbor is going to say something like, "Hey, would you like me to show you around some time?"

Besides meeting and greeting people on the street, you could also "invent" a reason to talk to them. We like to call it the "cup of sugar" technique. Yes, it's desperate, but it works. Just go up to your neighbor's door (preferably at a decent hour and while fully dressed) and ask to borrow a cup of sugar or some equally non-threatening ingredient. Maybe you need a screwdriver to put on your new window blinds. Whatever the reason, seize the opportunity to start chatting your neighbor up, perhaps even inviting him/her over in a couple days to sample the cake/pie/whatever you're making with the help of the ingredient you borrowed. (Remember to actually make the dessert, or they'll be on to you.) If you borrow something, return it immediately. We're talking within the hour.