I’m not alone in wanting more chances to meet new people and make better connections. I feel like nearly anyone with a real heartbeat will tell you they are exhausted by online dating, we feel unseen and the world over, we're distracted by our phones. And this feeling resonates across all age groups, in fact last year, The New York Times reported that 80 percent of 18-to-54-year-olds said they had experienced emotional fatigue or burnout from online dating.
Today with the world in a state of rising flux and confusion, we are all beginning to feel a little discombobulated and disconnected with what's real and what's not. How do we make sense of it? Especially, if we continue to have the same or similar conversations with people that already know us so well. What I find is that a simple way of getting a wider, clearer view on the world, is to literally go out and speak to people outside your normal social circle. It's a quick and simple make to make 'things' feel more real and helps sharpens our focus and understanding on what's really 'happening'.
What is the Social Eating App Scene all about?
Many that are new to the Social Eating App scene, really wonder what it's like. Whether you'd be paired with people your age, or a completely wide range. if the conversation would get stuck or simply bore you.
So many of these apps are popping up Timeleft operates in 45 major cities in around the world. Every Wednesday night, the app organizes group dinners for sets of six algorithm-paired strangers at a mystery restaurant in your city, kind-of a blind dinner date for meeting new friends. Then there's Groupvibe, for women only: After5Co, &theTable, the Offline Club on a broader and unmatched scale, there is of course: Meetup and Facebook groups.
Most apps try and match you somehow - some have more advanced tech and AI driving the background data. Yet those that have used the online dating apps - we know this is not a perfect formula and no guarantee to meeting someone you'll be able to connect and chat with. This is luck - yet it also about your commitment and openness to transforming your luck and your social network.
istency matched with effort is key!
It takes not just time nor courage, yet an openness and willingness from both parties to pursue and maintain contact, real and consistent effort and consistency to build a friendship, or a relationship.
A lot of apps offer subscriptions: why should you subscribe?
If you join a club - you're committed, you've made a decision. We know that seasons bring different moods, activities and food tastes, so you will of course meet and connect with different people. Subscriptions enable the app to also expand the foundations of the network - so this in turn helps you.
Benefits and pitfalls of a Pay-As-You-Go option
Slightly more expensive - yet a-pay-as-you-go option, of course offers you flexibility. Yet remember anyone who has a flex or free gym pass, won't value it and simply won't go (often enough to get the value). Your expectations are also saying, well I'll try it once and see what happens - yet life doesn't work like that! New habits / experiences need time and the harder, awkward moments, the challenges are important to help you shift. Staying in your comfort, safe zone, is well safe and comfortable and at times very monotonous. It ultimately keeps us on one place and a little stuck.
What I've learnt
As the Founder of Share-A-Table - what I've been surprised and appreciate how much more this platform or 'app' has given me. As an example, I climbed Rinjani with a Duma - we'd never met, yet she hosted a few dinners in Singapore on behalf of Share-A-Table. This is now a solid friendship and I appreciate that she opened up to me. It only takes one person to initiate and make the effort for the next step to happen.
Just last week on my recent trip to Paris, a highlight was brunch at a Parisian hotspot with a Share-A-Table member - Ayca, it was great to have an opportunity for a one-on-one and the openness and appreciation to try a good food spot made that happen. The very next day, a coffee with a Parisen friend, Marc, who I met via Share-A-Table. I've since shared many meals with him while they were living in Amsterdam. What I notice and what is true each and every time, is there is an easiness there - as you already know that there is a natural openness between you.
What you find at these dinners, is there is a simple energy of wanting to 'to better' and therefore you put your best self forward. This makes for engaging and rewarding conversations. The chats flow easil and the conversation will always surprise you - by its simple nature that its different. This will give you a buzz, a real social buzz and sense of discovery and spontaneity that is often very difficult to find these days.
I encourage you to join a few different Social Eating Apps to find your vibe, find your tribe or just meet one new friend - what it's promises, is to transform your social network so you can thrive locally.
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