There’s no predetermined set of places where you must meet people. However there are different stereotypes that may make you believe that there’s such a set.

For example, you may think that people ‘should’ or ‘are supposed to’ be met in bars and nightclubs, but that’s nothing more than just a viewpoint, imposed on you by society and culture.

The obvious truth is that people can be (and should be) met at any place at any time.

But! Despite a social interaction is possible anywhere, for beginners and socially insecure people it’s easier to build communication in some context.

No need to argue that making a conversation with a random person in the street is harder than with someone who attends the same gym as you do. In this example the gym creates a context for you and other person, thus making it easier to establish a communication with each other.

The context is easily created with identifying yourself with some social group. In plain words, joining it.

By entering a social group you get access to easier, more natural communication with its members as people around are using the same context, i.e. they share similar or identical opinions and goals which are in alignment with the group goal, when some external factor influences the group, every and each member feels it, and so on. In other words, you have something in common.

When seeking for a group to join make sure it’s in alignment with your goals/passion and outlook on life – it’s easier to interact with like-minded people. Also pay attention to the size of the social group.

For example, if you try talking to some person in the street, it probably will be hard to sustain a long dialog. Although you both belong to the same group – you are citizens of the same country, the social group which context you’re trying to use is too big.

However, if you talk to someone of your age, it’ll be easier to interact, as the social group you both belong to is sized down.

It’s like putting filters on a search in on-line store. If you do not apply any filter, you’ll be given a long list of all the goods the shop may offer to you. It’ll be hard to get what you want. And vice versa: the more filters you put on the goods you want to see, the more productive and satisfying your shopping experience becomes.

So try to narrow it down to some degree. Use your interests, your points of view as filters to identify that social group you may gain from and contribute to the most (i.e., receive and give a high-quality fulfilling social communication).

I don’t need to tell you what kind of places I’m talking about: gyms, educational courses, hobby clubs, various workshops where you can master some skills (like cooking) – they all are at your disposal and are easily available.

Instead I’ll try to identify some reasons, some barriers why you may refuse going there and joining them.

I’ll be telling from my experience, and the chance is you can relate at some point.

When I was younger, like about 18-20 years old I was having that problem – in spite of diverse set of opportunities and places to meet people available to me, I did not use any. I was sitting at home, in front of my computer, trying to figure out how and where I can meet people.

I think the issue was that I felt like a school student, a child in comparison with ‘adult’ people who attended those places. I was less experienced in life overall and thus felt myself inferior to other members of social groups I could be interested in joining. It, in its turn, created a barrier for social communication.

While, in fact, it can be true, that you are less experienced than, for example, your peers, or older people, you are still have a right for social interaction. And the truth is that in most cases it’s not them who violate this right, but you.

Recalling my past, I realize that I was that person who didn’t let social experiences happen to me.

Such places (like gyms, hobby clubs) may gather people of various age. Don’t let it discourage you. My social interaction opportunities also were limited with a prejudice that I can not interact with even slightly older people.

As I was becoming older, it appeared to be that that was only my inner barrier, which did not correlate with reality. The truth is that when I go to some club these days and meet a young person there, a teenager, I do not relate to him as a young inexperienced, inferior person. Well, I can relate to him as a person from another age group/generation, but it doesn’t decrease my interest in social interaction with that person.

If you really feel like a beginner at such places, start with asking for some advice. Many people would be more than happy to help you.

Perhaps, you may be kind of dismissive toward such clubs, thinking it’s a waste of time, it’s boring, and that people who go there are nerds, etc. But try to be a little bit less preconceived and judging and more open toward all these hobby classes and people who attend them. Give it a try, and perhaps next time you meet a peer you’ll be the one who is more experienced socially.