Don't Lose Your Groove Over Break: Where to Look for Winter Romance - Part 2
Coffee Shops
This one is the sober, more intellectual and artsy version of a bar. Find a table, and don't be scared to sit down next to someone who piques your interest. In most coffee shops, people are more than happy to tell you exactly what sort of brilliant concoction they ordered, so ask! "Is that a triple venti soy, no whip, no foam mocha?" you'll say. "Actually no," they'll reply, almost proudly, "It's a venti soy caramel macchiato." Compliment them on their beverage choice, and you're off and running. If this isn't your style, or you aren't familiar enough with the subtleties of coffee, just ask your target what they're reading, or what they're so engrossed in on their laptop. From there the conversation can evolve into musical tastes, literature classics, and what the two of you should do on your first date.
Online Dating
There is definitely a bit of a stigma attached to online dating. Odds are you've laughed at someone for using a dating website - I mean, really, how desperate can someonebe?! But embarrassing or not, they've stuck around for a reason: they really work. There is a variety of dating websites out there to choose from, but they vary in prices, clientele, and effectiveness, and it can be difficult to pick the right one for you without any experience. For a college woman interested in meeting new people, not paying anything for the site service, and staying safe while doing so, I'd recommend either Plenty of Fish (plentyoffish.com) or OK Cupid (okcupid.com). Plenty of Fish is definitely the most straightforward and the easiest to manage - it's totally free and quick to set up a profile, but it seems a bit less professional than OK Cupid, and you miss out on some of the features offered by other sites. OK Cupid has the same design as Plenty of Fish, but it's a little more organized, it includes an Instant Messaging function, and it matches you to people based on your profile and answers to questions. As a former user of OK Cupid, I have to admit it really works - several friends of mine have had great relationships as a result. Even if you're not comfortable actually meeting up with any of the people you talk to, it offers a little ego boost during the depressing winter months.
Music Stores
Thanks to iTunes and all sorts of pirating programs, music stores are catering to a very specific clientele: the people who still care about getting integrity with their music. They want the CD, case and all, not the iTunes download, and they're sticking to their guns. You immediately have an advantage in a CD store because you can tell by looking at the person what sort of music they like and whether or not you have any hope of discussing it with them. For example, if I see a hot guy holding up a copy of Metallica's Death Magnetic, I know I don't have a shot in hell of keeping a conversation going. On the other hand, if I see a guy looking at Girl Talk's latest album, I'm going to ask him what he thinks about it. Once again, don't be shy - music is something most people love to talk about, and you already have an advantage in this setting.
A Club
If you're home, bored, and looking for a fun one-nighter or something that probably won't turn into anything serious, get some girls together and head to a club. Most likely there's some sort of dance venue within a 20 mile radius of you, so hit it up. Not only will you have the chance to dance with a few attractive guys, but you also have an opportunity to pull out your sexy clothes and get dressed like you would for a weekend at college. That's the worst part of winter break, after all - nowhere to wear all your hottest outfits. Roll through the door feeling great about yourself and the guys will be flocking to you. Just be careful - don't compromise your safety or no one will have any fun. In this situation, it's best to always stick with a friend and play hard to get.
Work
It's sad but true: some of us have to become working girls over the winter break. But don't get too down about it. Your job may not be the most glamorous, but it's a chance to engage daily with other people, and they're probably just about your age. Whether you're a cashier, a waitress, a receptionist, a dog-walker, or babysitting, make time to interact with the customers, your fellow employees, and the people around you. Smile at the cute guy you're ringing up or serving, and if you're stuck watching kids for the day, take them on an outing. No matter what, never be afraid to be friendly and talkative. Just don't let a relationship with a coworker get in the way of doing your job.
Winter Break relationships are hard because you know they probably won't last. But that doesn't mean you should become a hermit and refrain from talking to anyone you could possibly be interested in. No, on the contrary. Instead, talk to everyone! Don't limit yourself to one love interest; have a whole slew of them! Be up front about your intentions and what you're looking for, as well as the fact that you'll be returning to college in a month, but then go ahead and have fun. Just be careful and stay within your comfort zone. The holidays are a time to enjoy yourself, and finding a guy to kiss on New Year's Eve definitely sounds like a good time to me.
