Dating

Science says: in these places you meet your true love

By Sophie Rietmulder | #!31Wed, 10 May 2023 11:45:29 +0200+02:002931#31Wed, 10 May 2023 11:45:29 +0200+02:00-11Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam202331 10am31am-31Wed, 10 May 2023 11:45:29 +0200+02:0011Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam2023312023Wed, 10 May 2023 11:45:29 +02004511455amWednesday=9#!31Wed, 10 May 2023 11:45:29 +0200+02:00Europe\/Amsterdam5#05-10-2023#!31Wed, 10 May 2023 11:45:29 +0200+02:002931#\/31Wed, 10 May 2023 11:45:29 +0200+02:00-11Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam202331#!31Wed, 10 May 2023 11:45:29 +0200+02:00Europe\/Amsterdam5#

Are you looking for true love? Forget dating apps. No, really. Research shows that 60 percent of married couples met in real life, and only 17 percent of all swiped right profiles end up in a serious relationship. From a probability perspective, it makes no sense to injure your thumb in the name of love. And let's be honest: there’s no Tinder match that can compete with a real-life meet cute, right? I hear you thinking: where is that love hiding then? The trick is to do things just a little differently than usual. I'm not saying your next successful date is currently picking out unblemished apples at your local Albert Heijn, but if you do what you always did, you’ll get what you always got. In this case, that probably means just a waste of makeup because you thought your 584th supermarket run would be a success. So what should you do to finally catch that true love? I’ll tell you.

Say yes more often
You don’t need to tell me how nice it is to stay home in the never disappointing company of your couch and your remote control, but that partner on the white horse unfortunately doesn’t just appear under your balcony. So try to say yes a bit more often when friends or family want to do something with you (yes, even if you really don’t feel like it that day). You never know who you might meet.

Try a new coffee place
‘Okay, but my regular coffee place has the best oat milk.’ I don’t want to hear it. Your regular coffee place also attracts the most flavorless singles or has been completely taken over by young families and double strollers. Not the ideal place to bump into your new love. Break the routine of your daily coffee run by visiting a different café. Maybe he or she is also looking for you there.

Sign up as a volunteer
I know: yawn. I also understand that signing up as a volunteer is one of the most sexless things you can do, but look at it this way: you’re giving back to society and maybe your new love is hiding there. And let’s be honest: who doesn’t want a sweet, thoughtful partner who also wants the people around him or her to be well? I do.

Visit local events
Another reason why we will never delete Facebook. It’s the only agenda you need to find out what’s happening in your area. Whether it’s a festival, a cooking workshop, or a night of dancing: try to visit one of these events soon, and you can be sure that there will only be people who at least share this interest with you.

Try a new sports class
Warning: this is not for everyone. If I want to impress a potential new flame, I make it a point to avoid exercising in his presence for as long as possible. If you do like sports? Book a class that you normally wouldn’t book. If there’s someone you have your eye on, book the same class a week later and wow your crush with a newly purchased outfit. You’ll have an excuse to shop right away.

Go on solo dates
Understandable: solo dates are probably the last thing you need when you’re looking for love, but think of it this way: if you take yourself on a date to places you don’t usually go, there’s a good chance you’ll meet someone you’ve never seen before. If a nice conversation happens, you only have to consider yourself and you won’t feel guilty about leaving your friends waiting in a corner. It’s worth a try.