| "body"> | | | | 2. A class. I know, I know. You've heard this one |
| So, you're convinced that you have zero | | | | before, but have you ever tried it? Let me tell you a |
| opportunities to meet men. | | | | story: My friend Brian's longtime girlfriend dropped him |
| Are you stuck in an office all day with the same | | | | for another guy. After grieving for a while, he dusted |
| stiffs day in and day out? Have you tried singles' | | | | himself off and signed up for a cooking class. See, |
| dances, only to leave feeling worse than when you | | | | Brian loves to cook, but he put off pursuing formal |
| went in? Did the last loser your aunt set you up with | | | | training while he was with What's-Her-Name. Once |
| squash your Chihuahua when he screeched up the | | | | she was out of the picture, though, he decided to |
| driveway? | | | | register for a course, figuring he'd meet many |
| Well, don't fret. I have some ideas for you. While | | | | likeminded women there. Sure enough, he did. I |
| advice columnists steer single women into churches | | | | advise you to write down a list of hobbies you'd like |
| to meet honest, loyal, and successful men, I wouldn't | | | | to explore and figure out which of them would also |
| dream of it. Church is great for communing with God, | | | | appeal to men. Then sign up for a class or join a club. |
| but it never struck me as the best place to meet a | | | | See what happens. |
| man. People, including me, are on our best behavior | | | | 3. Throw a party. While Brian did meet lots of |
| at church. If you'd rather meet a man where he's | | | | women at the cooking class, he didn't fall in love with |
| more likely to be himself, here are my top three | | | | any of them. So he threw a party where he could |
| recommendations: | | | | show off his new skills. He wasn't picky about who |
| 1. A bar, specifically during Monday Night Football. | | | | he invited and told everybody to bring a friend or |
| Football season is a great time to meet men who | | | | two. The result? A woman he'd never met showed |
| flock to taverns to watch the NFL. When I was | | | | up. They fell in love and have been married now for |
| single, I loved going to Monday Night Football (even | | | | two years. But even if Brian hadn't met his future |
| though I didn't really understand the game) because | | | | wife that night, hosting that party netted him plenty |
| the bar was filled with mostly single men, there was | | | | of invitations to others, providing opportunities to |
| a free buffet, and the atmosphere was merry. | | | | meet many more people. A caveat: When you plan |
| Advice columnists usually tell women to stay out of | | | | your party, don't exclude married friends from the |
| bars if they want to meet suitable men, but I | | | | guest list. You don't want your big night to feel like a |
| disagree. It's important to see how a man drinks, and | | | | singles' mixer. Instead, invite couples and encourage |
| how he behaves under the influence of alcohol. Does | | | | them to bring a friend. |
| he get wasted and drive home? Or, does he have a | | | | Remember, the trick to meeting new men is to |
| couple of beers and switch to water before he | | | | break up your routine. Step one: Put down the |
| leaves? Does he smack the bartender in the head | | | | remote. I assure you that the world is full of great |
| when his team loses, or does he remain amiable? | | | | single men like Brian who want to meet someone |
| There are things you can learn in a bar about a man | | | | special, and for one of those men, that person is |
| that you never will in church. Bring a friend with you | | | | you. Seek and create new social situations. Act |
| and make having fun, not hooking up, your first | | | | naturally. Smile. Whatever you do, don't keep twisting |
| priority. You may have to show up three weeks in a | | | | your neck like you're casing the place for a live one. |
| row before anybody shows interest in you (or, then | | | | Maintain eye contact with whomever you're talking |
| again, maybe not). Keep in mind that different bars | | | | to, whether it's a man or a woman. Having fun is key. |
| attract different types of people. If you don't like the | | | | When you're having fun, you'll attract men like a |
| crowd in one bar, try another place next time. | | | | magnet. |