Where can I go to Meet People?

Singles ask me one question more than any other...where can they go to meet people to date?

The question seems easy to those who are in relationships...why not go to a bar and start talking to a cute guy or girl? But what happens when you do this a lot, and your dating life hasn't progressed to much more than a few dates here and there?

Well, there are some answers, but if you are serious about wanting a relationship, you have to put in some time and energy into the search process. And don't expect to meet Mr. Right at a bar, unless you're lucky. Going forward, try out some of these suggestions:

Accept invitations to all parties. That's right. If a friend of a friend you just met invites you to a birthday bash this weekend, go. Don't back out because you don't want to go by yourself. Parties are the best places to go when you're single and available, because they will force you to meet new people and expand your network.

Check out local events for singles. Many places are starting to hold networking events for singles, even grocery stores! Scan your local listings of singles mixers, whether it's wine tasting, happy hours, industry events, or speed dating parties. You're bound to find something interesting.

Join online dating sites. Instead of investing your time in just one site, join a few and compare notes. Be proactive in searching and communicating with people. Don't spend a lot of time emailing and phoning...try to get to the meeting quickly so you don't build up false expectations. This is the environment to meet a lot of people.

Do something you love, but in a group. Want to learn to make sushi or hike to the top of Mount Baldy? Check out local classes, sports groups, or whatever hobby interests you and sign up. Doing something you enjoy puts you in a great frame of mind when meeting new people, and attracts others to you.

Try a new dating experience. Heard of dating in the dark, eye gazing parties, or traditional speed dating? Why not try one of these activities out? Even if you don't meet the right person, you could make some new friends that lead you in that direction. Plus, it gives you something to talk about afterwards. New experiences are beneficial, even when they are outside of your comfort zone.