Friend Date

posted April 18th, 2014 at 11:33 PM

Why isn't there a site that exists that's like an online dating site, but instead of setting up romantic connections, you meet up with a potential platonic friend and see if you hit it off? I'm relatively new to Vancouver (been here about 7 months) and have had trouble making friends. I know there are sites like Meetup, which I've attempted to get involved in, but I can never bring myself to actually go hang out with an entire big group of strangers I don't know. I feel much more comfortable getting to know people on a one-on-one or very small group basis, and if I could even just make one friend here who could come along with me to something like a meetup, I'd feel a lot less anxious and scared to meet people. It just feels very intimidating doing that stuff alone, at least for me. Being able to "friend date" one-on-one would be a nice option to have :)

6 Comments

post your handle

Apr 19, 2014 at 12:09am

Funny you should write this, I was just grazing through the Meet up sites for hiking and was thinking the same. Send me your handle and we'll email.

Angie

Apr 19, 2014 at 12:30am

I've been to MeetUps that I've found on the site, and everyone is super friendly. Maybe try to find an activity that would be based in small groups, like a sport or game night?

Yes

Apr 19, 2014 at 7:40am

So...try your own Meetup group? It does cost a little bit to set it up but perhaps that would be worth it for you. There are little things you can do - like limiting the number of people who can attend an event - so that it doesn't get out of hand. The only problem with being the organizer is that, well, if someone you're not keen on signs on for the event, you still have to go....

@Angie

Apr 19, 2014 at 8:45am

Totally agree about Meetup. I know it's kind of strange at first, but everyone is so nice and friendly and all in the same boat as you. Give it a try with one of the smaller groups first. Trust me, it certainly made my life better when it comes to getting out and meeting people. I grew up here but nowadays I find it harder than ever to meet new friends - Meetup helped a lot.

eryn

Apr 19, 2014 at 4:53pm

I'm the same way - not a big fan of big groups of people and definitely found it hard to meet people since i moved out this way. I'd be down for a nice little friend date! Coffee sometime!?

OP

Apr 19, 2014 at 5:41pm

Thanks for the responses and advice all! Sounds like others are in the same boat.

As far as I can tell, there doesn't seem to be any way to private message people through the confessions, but for those couple of you that mentioned wanting to meet up on a "friend date," maybe I'll create an "I Saw You" post for this so we can use private replies to set up a coffee date or something :)