The journal of open connections
Weekend activities: finding plans and meeting new friends
Compare the activity, group size, cost and practical details before joining a weekend outing.
Mad2Moi is the adult dating app from the same owner as this journal.
Choose the activity before choosing the app
Start with what you would like to do: visit a museum, play board games, walk in a public park or try a workshop. Then look for a way to organise it. This keeps the activity at the centre of your decision rather than making the number of available events the only criterion.
Compare several ways to join in
Local associations, cultural venues, clubs and community apps offer different formats. Read the actual event description instead of assuming that every listing welcomes newcomers in the same way. If you are attending alone, check whether there is an organiser to greet participants and whether joining requires approval or advance booking.
Read the details that affect comfort
Check the meeting point, duration, accessibility, expected effort and total cost. Ask what happens if the weather changes or the outing is cancelled. A listing does not confirm that a particular number of people will attend. Avoid paying an unfamiliar individual simply because a message creates a sense of urgency.
Arriving alone does not require a performance
You can start with a small question about the activity: “Have you tried this workshop before?” or “Which part of the exhibition interested you?” These fictional examples are invitations, not techniques for demanding attention. Listen to the reply and allow people to return to the activity or another conversation.
Organise a small plan of your own
A clear invitation can include the activity, public meeting place, approximate duration and costs. State any booking requirement and how people can withdraw. If you are organising for strangers, do not publish participants' contact details or photographs without agreement. Keep the initial plan modest enough to explain and manage.
Treat the outing as a beginning
You may enjoy the activity without making a new friend immediately. If a conversation is mutual, suggest a next plan or ask whether the person would like to stay in touch. Participation does not create an obligation to exchange numbers. The resources below are French-language references; check local venues directly for current arrangements.
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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