You're not alone - lots of women wonder how to meet men and how to strike up a conversation. Whether you're newly single or have been single for a while, you're probably wondering what steps you should take to meet and chat to guys.

If you're wondering how to get a boyfriend, it won't come as a surprise that the first thing you need to do is meet a man. You might think that this is easier said than done but it's actually much simpler than you think. In fact, there are some things you can do right now which will bring you closer to meeting an awesome guy.

Knowing how to flirt with a guy is a great advantage, but it's not essential. This is because being yourself is the key. With that in mind, let's jump into the steps you need to take to start meeting men.

Why is knowing how to meet men so important?

You might think this is a silly question, but really it isn't. The world would be a perfect place if we could all sit back and let our ideal partner find us. But, unfortunately, life isn't like that and we all need to be pro-active in getting the things we want.

If you've said to yourself "I want a boyfriend" then you've already taken the very first step on your journey to meeting a man. But you can't expect him to just knock on your door one day. Instead, you need to put yourself out there, put in some effort and find him. This is why knowing how to meet men is important - you won't find an amazing guy without trying.

How to Meet Men

The good news is that meeting men isn't rocket science, it's a simple case of right place, right time. But this means that you need to put yourself in the right place. Thankfully you don't need to go too far out of your comfort zone, you just need to give yourself a little nudge.

Below are some super easy and actionable things that you can do to put yourself in a place where you're super likely to meet men.

1. Try out new hobbies

Trying out new classes and joining groups are super easy ways to meet new people, and that means that they're also great ways to meet guys. If you start a new class you'll all be in the same boat which means you're on a level playing field and you'll have lots to talk about. If you join a group, such as a writer's critique group or a running group, you already know that you'll have similar interests to the people there.

2. Sign up to be a volunteer

Being a volunteer sets you up for meeting loads of new people while also helping out in your community. Whether you choose a dog shelter, soup kitchen or local event, you'll have lots of work to keep you busy while you chat to the people you meet. If you hit it off with another volunteer, you'll know that they're a motivated and kind person.

3. Ask a friend to set you up

Your friends know you better than anyone and they really care about you, which means they'll only set you up with people that they really do think are suitable. Asking your friends or colleagues to set you up can lead to some fun encounters and awesome dates. Going on a blind date can be scary, but what do you have to lose?

4. Join a dating site

Dating sites are the obvious place to meet men - it's literally what the men are on the site for. You might turn your nose up at dating sites, but there are lots of devoted couples who met through online dating. But, if you're serious about meeting a guy or getting a boyfriend, choose a site that requires people to pay a subscription fee - this helps sort the wheat from the chaff.

5. Know where to meet men

If you're hoping to meet men and strike up a conversation, you'll need to know where to look. You can't expect to just bump into the man of your dreams on the street. In fact, the sidewalk isn't a brilliant place to meet great guys. Knowing where to meet men means knowing where to meet the right men and it's far easier than you think.

Tip 1. Meeting men at your favorite places

The first place to look for men is at your favorite places. Guys who frequently make trips to these places have the same interests as you, so you'll already have something to talk about. You might enjoy hanging out at the library, in the park or at a coffee shop - making more trips to these places means more chances to meet men that you can chat to.

Tip 2. Meeting men at work

This might differ depending on your job but chances are that there is some aspect of your work that allows you to meet new people. Maybe this could be by chatting to more customers, visiting a new area of the office or hanging out in a communal area of your building. If these aren't possible, why not ask your co-workers if they know any guys who are interested in the same things as you?

Tip 3. Meeting men in bars

Bars are classic places to meet new guys and they're certainly great venues to practise your flirting skills. But the only thing you're guaranteed to have in common with these guys is that you both like drinking and talking to strangers. Plus, there is no point trying to meet men in a bar that plays pop music if you don't like pop music. But, choose your venue well, and you might get chatting to men with a similar music taste to you, which is a starting point.

How to Start A Conversation With A Guy

Finding a guy is often half the battle, it's knowing how to start a conversation with a guy that can be the tricky part. Knowing how to meet men also includes knowing how to talk to men. But, thankfully you can get them to do most of the work - just follow the tips below:

Tip 1. Smile

Smiling at a guy is the universal symbol that says "you look nice, come and talk to me". Sometimes all it takes to get a guy to say hi is a smile, while he'll often be much more receptive if you approach him after smiling in his direction. A smile isn't just for the start of the conversation, it's the key to showing him that you're happy, confident, and interested in what he has to say.

Tip 2. Ask questions

You can get the guy to do most of the talking and find out more about him by asking thoughtful questions. He'll think that you're interested in what he has to say and you just need to respond politely so you don't have to worry about feeling like you're in the spotlight. The question you use to get the ball rolling could be as simple as asking about his pets if you met in the park or asking for a drink recommendation if you met in a cafe.

Tip 3. Talk yourself up

When speaking about yourself, remember to focus on the good rather than the bad. This doesn't mean boasting, it just means showing the guy you're talking to that you're interesting, passionate and motivated when it comes to your work or studies and your hobbies.

More Ways To Get The Guy

By now you should be feeling confident that you know how to meet a man and get a conversation started. But if you need a few more tips, we have loads of relationship advice below.

  1. Into someone at work but not sure if he likes you back? Find out how to tell if a guy likes you at work and what to do next.
  2. If you've already met a great guy and you'd like to take things to the next level, you'll want to learn how to get a boy to like you.
  3. Chatting to a new guy can be a bit daunting, but it's so much easier with these awesome funny questions to ask a guy.

In Conclusion

Now that you know how to meet men, you can probably see that it's far simpler than you thought. All it takes is a little effort and motivation to help you on your way to finding a fantastic guy.