Yesterday someone asked me where women meet men in this city. Perhaps I have spent too much time glued to the computer. My immediate response was online dating. According to MSN’s Love Online: A Report on Digital Dating in Canada, I am not alone. The amount of people meeting online has increased.

The top four reasons were:
1. A growing proportion of the population is composed of singles, the main pool for online dating.
2. Career and time pressures are increasing, so people are looking for more efficient ways of meeting others for intimate relationships.
3. Single people are more mobile due to the demands of the job market, so it is more difficult for them to meet people for dating.
4. Workplace romance is on the decline due to growing sensitivity about sexual harassment.
That was not the answer this someone wanted. For a moment I was stumped. I asked if I could get back to him. After mulling over the possibilities, here is my response.
Q: Where to Meet Men in Vancouver?
A: Anywhere.
Start your quest for Mr. Right by looking at yourself. Ask yourself the following questions: What part of the city do I live in? What parts of the city do I enjoy spending time in? What activities do I enjoy? When someone asks me for a date, when do I have time to date?
The answers to these questions help guide you to someone that has similar lifestyle choices to you. There are many places to meet men. You need to know if they are the right type of men for you.
* S told me that she met tons of guys at a cowboy bar in Langley. So why doesn’t S date these guys?
1. She lives in Vancouver.
2. She doesn’t like to drive outside the city.
3. She doesn’t like country music.
4. She hates suburbia.

It comes down to lifestyle choices. When I asked S what type of activities she enjoyed, she told me fine wine, martinis and shopping. When asked who she could recruit as a wingman, she decided to call on the family. Her brother brought her to one of the special men’s shopping nights at the Bay Downtown. She spent the evening meeting her brother’s friends, sampling martinis and checking out a fashion show. Through her brother’s friends, she found out about a social networking site that holds events for like minded people to mingle.

She joined www.urbanmixer.com and participated in several of their events, where through one of her new found friends, she met her husband.
Body Language: Creating the Approach
Smile. Smile. Smile. Holding eye contact with someone you find attractive lets someone know that you want him to approach. Double check your body language. Good posture is not only great for your health, it also portrays confidence. Occasionally the potential Mr. Right might not approach. He might be in a relationship or he might be shy. Sometimes the opportunity for him to approach isn’t possible based on circumstances.

* C told me that she should start going to church so she could meet a “nice” guy. She wasn’t entirely kidding. She spent some time singing in a gospel choir. When her best friend called and invited her to watch the choir perform, she met a guy who caught her eye. C spent most of the concert, singing and dancing from the audience. While she remembered how much value this particular activity brought to her life, she continued to make eye contact with the choir guy. After the concert, choir guy approached her. Unfortunately she was bombarded by other choir members who were delighted to see her. She smiled at choir guy who introduced himself and said good bye.
Taking Initiative
Usually I recommend setting up the opportunity for a man to take the initiative. Historically men are hunters and it is important to let them make the first move. Occasionally it is worth taking the initiative and seeing if you strike gold. C decided to rejoin choir. Although she found choir boy intriguing, this was not an attempt to stalk him. Depending on your point of view, C cyber stalked him. She found the facebook group set up by the choir members and there he was. She sent him a facebook message telling him she enjoyed meeting him.
CG (choir guy) returned her message and asked her if she would like to go for a drink. When they met for a drink, they talked. After one date it is too soon to decide if it will result in love and marriage, but the date may not have happened if C didn’t take the initiative.
So next time someone tells you there are no men in Vancouver, tell them to check out Kittyn’s top 5 tips:
1. Do your homework – decide what suits your lifestyle.
2. Go out and check out events that genuinely interest you and support your lifestyle choices. Even if you feel shy, be open and friendly. You never know who you might meet.
3. Create a support network. Let friends and familly members know that you are on the market.
4. Don’t be afraid to show that you find someone appealing. They might feel the same way.
5. If that doesn’t work, go back to the drawing board. You may need to hire a lifestyle or dating coach.
* Or talk to me. Happy Hunting!