Singles - how to create a social life in melbourne

This article talks about:

• steps and strategies for creating a social life, particularly if you are single
• tips for selecting an introduction agency
• questions to ask when selecting an introduction agency

Rosaline Neville, Principal, Entre Nous, September 2001

Singles - How to Create a Social Life in Melbourne

1 Live where the action is - where it is all happening. If you are tired at the end of a hard day and have to drive for 30 - 40 minutes to hear a good jazz band or see the latest theatre, you will be tempted to stay at home. In Melbourne, singles live in the following areas - make sure you do too: Brunswick, Fitzroy, Carlton, Melbourne, Richmond, South Yarra, Prahran, St Kilda Road, Port Melbourne, South Melbourne and St Kilda.

2 Join an activity group or sporting group - that is of interest to you that has a good number of members of the opposite sex - don't join up and pay the fee until you have met a few members. 

3 Singles Parties - Check The Age newspaper on Friday and Saturday for singles parties and other entertainment for singles. A quick telephone call to the organisers will give you a fair indication of the type of people who will be attending. 

4 Too busy to go looking? - If you would prefer to spend time with a partner rather than searching, try a reputable introduction agency, some introduction agencies can provide you with partners for socialising or they organise social events. 

5 Too shy to socialise? - A reputable introduction agency will not only walk you through the introductory first meetings to ensure they run smoothly but they will provide friendly outgoing ladies who do not mind a shy man.

6 Practice speaking to people at every opportunity. Just, 'Hello, lovely day' is enough. If you get the opportunity to say more, 'I am new to Melbourne is the weather always as good (or bad) as this?' will do. Melbourne people love to talk about the weather so you are sure to get a response. If he or she turns out to be married or attached it does not matter. You then have the opportunity of making two new friends or even a circle of friends. Breaking into a circle of friends is the key to broadening one's social sphere.

7 Entertaining is a quick way to make new friends - invite the people you know to bring a couple of their friends, that they think you may like to meet, to your for place for drinks or Sunday lunch. Melbourne people may be conservative but they mainly do return invitations. The old saying: 'If you seek a friend, be one,' will most certainly work in Melbourne.

8 In summer, don't fly interstate, spend time at our local resorts - at the Portsea or Apollo Bay districts you will soon meet other singles who are doing similar things to yourself. People are much more friendly and relaxed at the seaside and you will soon develop a whole new circle of friends quite quickly. In winter, spend a few days at the snow fields. There will be ample opportunities to meet single people. 

9 Being single and searching for a partner must be fun - iIf you dread the thought, in a new city you would, no doubt, be better off visiting a reputable introduction agency where you can be coached, and nurtured through the process. 


Tips for selecting an Introduction Agency

In Victoria, the Introduction Agents Act of 1997 applies. Copies of the Act are available at the Office of Fair Trading, and Business Affairs, 3/452 Flinders Street, Melbourne. 

It is mandatory for all Introduction Agencies to be registered and to follow the strict code according to the Introduction Agents Act of 1997.

The Association of British Introduction Agencies offers the following advice:

• Make it a point to develop a friendly relationship with your consultant, let them know when you are not happy and when you are; if you don't tell them they won't be able to do anything about it
  
• Don't expect the impossible and don't expect them to provide you with a wonderful introduction first off
  
• Be realistic in your expectations. There are fewer women under the age of 25 and fewer men over the age of 55. If your needs fall into this category, don't be discouraged, just be patient.
  
•  Be open to potential friendships. Don't hold out for the grand romance

Questions to Ask when Selecting an Agency

• Have they been in operation for at least two years?
• Do they have a good local reputation? Ask around.
• What is their success rate? Ask them.
• How big is their database? Any fewer than 1000 and it will not be of much benefit.
• Do they interview every potential member personally? This helps to eliminate the obviously undesirable characters.
• Do they insist on a code of conduct for the people on their books?
• How do they protect your confidentiality?
• Do they follow a code of conduct?
• Ask to see profiles of the types of people you would be meeting.

Barry's Story
"I'm from Michigan and was seconded to Crown Casino to install the gaming computer systems. I didn't know a soul and felt extremely isolated. I'm no Tom Cruise and have never had any luck at bars and pubs. Melbourne people seemed very remote. It was winter, cold, miserable and extremely lonely. I applied for an early transfer home but before it was granted I found the Entre Nous' website. Within days I was meeting attractive young women for cappuccinos and other delightful activities. By the time my transfer was approved I was having such fun - there was no way they could get me to leave! Entre Nous was a life saver to me. I recommend the service to anyone new to Melbourne and I especially recommend Melbourne women!"

Your journey to success . . .
Being single and embarking on the journey to find a partner can be exciting, adventurous and good fun. By following a few simple rules you can avoid hiccups and derive much pleasure from the experience. 

• Take a keen interest in everyone you meet (and you will meet some very interesting people). 
• Be prepared to make friends and you will. Friends can only enrich your life.
• Make it fun for the person you meet and you will have fun and be popular, and before long you will have created a full circle of friends for yourself and maybe that special one too. 

9 Moorhouse Street
Richmond Hill Victoria
Australia 3121

t 61 3 9425 9055
f 61 3 9425 9044
e rosalind@entrenous.com.au
w www.entrenous.com.au

Rosalind Neville created the introduction service, Entre Nous over ten years ago. She was a Queenslander herself and realises how difficult it can be to make friends in Melbourne at first. According to Rosalind, 'Melbourners are so conservative. Melbourne is a winter city, a closed door city - compared with Queensland. However, you will be surprised how quickly you will feel that you belong once the doors are opened to you. You will soon discover how warm, sincere and hospitable Melbourners can be.'

Entre Nous can provide one-on-one introductions, or for singles who just want to expand their social network their Social Membership is ideal.

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