The journal of open connections
Where to meet new people: choosing places that make conversation possible
Find activities and public settings that fit your interests, your comfort and the kind of connection you want.
Mad2Moi is the adult dating app from the same owner as this journal.
Choose a shared setting, not a magic location
No café, club or app can promise that you will meet a compatible person. A more useful starting point is a setting where you have something to do and are comfortable taking part. Think about whether you want friendship, dating or simply more social contact before choosing an activity.
Use an activity as a conversation starter
A class, a volunteering session or a cultural discussion can provide a subject without requiring an elaborate introduction. Check the actual purpose of the event and respect it. People who join an activity are not automatically available for romantic attention. Keep an exchange appropriate to the setting and the response you receive.
Observe the context in cafés and cultural places
A public place can be welcoming without being an invitation to interrupt everyone. Someone reading, working or talking privately may not want a conversation. A brief, relevant question can be enough to find out whether an exchange is welcome. If the answer is short or the person turns away, give them space.
Consider an organised group outing
A group activity can make the meeting point and shared plan clearer. Read the organiser's conditions, cost, accessibility information and cancellation arrangements. If you are arriving alone, ask how newcomers join the group. A listing is an opportunity to investigate, not proof that a certain number of people will attend.
Find current options near you
Look at venue programmes, association notices and event calendars, then confirm the details with the organiser. Select a broad area you can reach comfortably rather than publishing an exact home address. You may prefer a regular activity that fits your schedule to a one-off event chosen only because it sounds popular.
Offer a next step without pressure
If a conversation is mutual, you can suggest another public activity and ask whether the person is interested. A fictional example is: “I enjoyed talking about the exhibition. Would you like to visit the next one together?” Leave room to decline. The French public resources below are further reading, not a directory of verified local venues.
Sources and resources
Portail national : sortir de l’isolement et retrouver du lien social (FR)
CNIL : protéger son intimité sur les applications de rencontres (FR)
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