femalenetwork.com

My girlfriends and I were having lunch one afternoon when one of them said, “You know, you’re so lucky you have a boyfriend. It’s hard to meet a good man these days. No one goes out anymore.” I found her remark hard to believe—those eligible bachelors must go somewhere. So I set off on my own secret man-spotting mission (with my boyfriend’s permission, of course). The result? A revealing Where-to-Go to Snag-a-Beau Guide.

Wax Boy
In my experience, the best place to meet guys is a car shop. Many car-crazed hot bods spend hours in the shop installing new sound systems in their metal machines. Some even bring their four-wheeled babies in for an entire makeover. And what can they do while waiting for the finishing touches? Why, talk to you, of course!

Grab his attention with a catchy one-liner like, “Hey there! How’s your engine running?” Or simple introduce yourself and discover interests. Sometimes, a simple “hi” does the trick. On the other hand, a curious question about “car troubles” will start a conversation rolling.

Now, I don’t advise making your local talyer a new hang-out, but if you do have to have your car washed, repaired, or waxed, don’t delay. Get the job done pronto! You just might find gold under all that grease. Not to mention it gives you a great opportunity to check out your new prospect’s set of wheels—before you go for that ride.

Man on the Street
Whether he’s out for a morning run or taking his dog for a walk, you’re bound to meet a man outdoors. After all, the adrenaline rush and the fresh air is enough to lure any homebody out his front door.

So rise and shine, sleepyheads! Get up for that 6 a.m. jog. And what do you do after you’ve spotted that special someone? Simply run casually past him in something more elastic than those baggy sweats. He won’t be able to resist the view! And if you’re a little uncomfortable about revealing your rear, his cute canine can also make a good conversation starter.

But joggers beware! You don’t want to attract trouble so choose a safe place to run like a secure subdivision or sports complex.

Bummin’ Yuppie
Is it lunch time already? Then keep your eyes peeled and prepare yourself for more than just a quick meal. Men eat lunch out too.

Lisa, a 23-year-old entrepreneur, met her boyfriend while waiting for a client at a café. “I had my nose buried in a book, so I didn’t notice him until he tapped me on the shoulder and asked if he could borrow my ketchup,” she relates with a smile. “we share a lot more than that now.”

Take advantage of a crowded café—share a table and get to know that sweet-looking stranger. Coffee joints like Starbucks, Figaro, and The Coffee Beanery make a mean brew and draw in caffeine-hungry yuppies by the dozens. And if you’re bored of the cappuccino-and-biscotti scene, kill a couple of hours at arcades like Timezone. You’d be surprised: even busy execs make time for a game or two.

Buff Body
Want a man with more muscle? Believe it or not, most gyms have a 4 to 1 guy-to-girl ratio. It’s close to impossible not to see a fresh face. A little tongue-tied? Bench weights, workout routines, and even diets are always welcome topics for small talk. Or if you’re feeling really creative, think of something more original.

Just last week, I was in the middle of my ab-workout when Aga Muhlach walked in to bench a few. He greeted everyone with his signature smile, and as usual, I was too shy to say “hi.” He sat down less than three feet away from me and caught me staring at him in the mirror. I figured now was the perfect time to throw his way the line I’d been practicing for a week now. And as soon as the opportunity presented itself, I stuttered a faint, “Ummm, so Aga,…I heard Mark Katigbak did the tiles in your new house. He did the tiles in my boyfriend’s house also…” Okay, so my topic wasn’t earth-shattering, but at least I mustered up enough guts to say something to The Heartthrob himself. And I learned that he liked his tiles.

If weight training is not your style, try something more adventurous, like indoor rock climbing. Since it’s a male-dominated sport and it takes two to climb, you’ll surely find a partner. Feeling competitive? Join a cycling race or a triathlon.

Kayla, a 24-year-old copywriter, met her fiancé, Paolo, at a charity bike race to Baguio. “We kept passing each other on the way up. By the time we reached the finish line, he was just a short distance ahead of me. He told me he enjoyed the competition and I took it from there.”

Sporting events like these are ideal for getting a date and losing some weight. Check local newspaper for upcoming events that may interest you.

Cute Collectibles
If you’re looking for a man with outside interests, your local specialty store is the place to be. You’ll find anyone from the kid-at-heart collector of comic books to the deep-sea dreamer with a fondness for fish.

Myra, an avid wine connoisseur, was searching to stock up on some vintage reds when she met Mark. “It wasn’t hard to start a conversation because it was obvious we already had something in common. He asked me for my opinion on a good year since he was looking for a bottle to bring to his boss’s dinner. He didn’t have a date daw and he didn’t want to go there empty-handed. Since medyo obvious yung style niya, I told him I was free…so he ended up bringing me along with the wine.”

Aside from getting some great gift ideas, you may just find a man with a passion for something other than his collectibles.

Extended Relations and Friends of Friends
Just because your best friend is getting married doesn’t mean all her relatives are taken. One of her new in-laws may just be cute enough to catch your eye. Gatherings such as these are often the most ideal because you don’t have to worry about awkward introductions. Have a mutual friend nonchalantly get things going by mentioning a common interest. Or if you’re brave enough, ask him for the next dance.

I once met three Frenchmen at a friend’s despedida de soltera. Each had his own soap opera style. Jean-Marc was tall and broad-shouldered. His features were sharp and his eyes were a deep, almost silver color—a true Italian stallion. Jean-Luc was a blonde cross between Antonio Banderas and Fabio. And Paulie was your typical boy-next-door, a bit on the chubby side, with a smile that could make any woman blush. They introduced themselves to everyone at the table—they were relatives of the groom, here to witness the grand nuptial. And I’d thought the dinner would be boring. Sharing a bottle of wine with Jean-Marc, Jean-Luc, and Paulie certainly helped to liven up the festivities.

The point: you never know where you might meet someone…from the younger brother of your friend’s sister-in-law to the officemate of your sister’s boyfriend. Don’t skip out on a party or function…even though you “don’t know anybody”—you just might meet somebody. And if you’re calendar is not booked with a barrage of social events, try attending an upcoming business seminar or workshop. You could learn more than how to make the most of your money—like how the guy running the seminar has been looking for a girl like you.

It may be hard, but it’s not impossible. All it takes is a fresh perspective and a dose of gal-guts. Like the truth, there are guys out there, you just have to find one nice one…and more important, help him find you.

Tips for the Timid
Fast fixes for the shy side in all of us.

Think positive. You have nothing to lose by making the first move. Think of it this way—you didn’t have a date with the guy to begin with, so even if the small talk doesn’t lead to a cup of coffee, you don’t lose anything.

Start with a smile. Okay, so your stomach’s doing flip-flops and you can’t think of anything to say. Flash those pearly whites. A smile is an open invitation to conversation. Not to mention, it makes you look ten times better.

Take it day by day. If you spot someone interesting at the gym or on the track, take note of the time. He’s bound to be there again within the week. To avoid coming on too strong, simple eye contact is enough for him to take notice. Then, start a conversation at your next “chance” encounter.

Add an air of confidence to your aura. Hold your head up high and don’t slouch. Just because you feel nervous doesn’t mean you have to look it.

Exude friendliness. Look approachable. Don’t pout or purse your lips. And avoid negative body language like crossing your arms in front of you. You might intimidate anyone who takes an interest.

Be yourself. This is the golden rule. No one wants to date a fake. So no matter what you do, don’t pretend to be something you’re not. Give the guy a chance to get to know the real you right from the start. It’s the key to beginning a successful relationship.