Knowing how to get a boyfriend, girlfriend or partner, especially without the help of a dating app, might seem like an impossible task in the modern age. However, it's not as difficult as you might imagine. According to a new study from Compare the Market, 45% of couples still meet either at a social gathering or through mutual friends, and only 7% meet on a dating app. Alas, there is hope!

So fear not, it's definitely still possible to meet your dream boyfriend, girlfriend or partner, in real life. You just need to know where to find them. Sex and relationships expert for Lovehoney Annabelle Knight breaks down the best places to meet your next partner face-to-face.



How to get a boyfriend, girlfriend or partner

Through your uni or former school

Somebody you went to school, college or uni with can be a really compatible option for a long-term partner. If you've grown up together or come from the same area, then you're likely to already have a tonne of things in common. Plus, Compare the Market found that 9% of people still meet their partner through education, so it's definitely a good place to consider starting a relationship.

And even if you didn't get together with your partner when you were actually at school, there's still hope later in life. Plenty of us have some kind of missed connection from our uni, college or school days, someone we wish we'd dated but never actually managed to make it work with. Keeping in touch with uni, college or school groups and going to meet ups and reunions can be a great way to get together with old friends, relive your youthful memories, and maybe even hook up with that person that you never got the chance to with at school.

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Social media, obviously

Meeting a potential partner online doesn't just have to happen through a dating app. There are plenty of ways to meet people through other forms of social media too, with 6% of people meeting their partner on socials, according to Compare the Market. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter can be great places to reconnect with people from your past, but they can also be somewhere to meet cool new people. Friends of friends can be easy to start a conversation with, as you already have somebody in common. Meanwhile, if you see someone you fancy on Insta, take the leap and slide into their DMs (respectfully, of course). What have you got to lose?

Plus, you don't need to spend time getting to know someone when you do meet up IRL, cos you can find out everything you need to know online beforehand. Put those deep dive 'research' skills to good use...

Reconnect with people from your past

However, age is also a massive factor when it comes to social media, with 14% of 18 to 24-year-olds meeting on socials, compared to 7% of 25 to 34-year-olds.If you do decide to opt for a dating app or site to find love (or just fun), the top place people surveyed by Compare the Market found a partner was Plenty of Fish, followed by Tinder and Match.com.

Volunteer

Donating your time for a cause you're passionate about will help you to meet someone with similar values, and that can create cute shared experiences. But, obviously, don’t volunteer somewhere for the sake of getting a date. You should only do it if you want to broaden your network of friends, help an organisation that means something to you, and learn. But, it's through that network that you might potentially meet a new partner.



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Get out of the house

As simple and basic as it sounds, staying at home is not going to get you that many dates. If you do genuinely want to meet someone, be proactive with your friends and suggest new places to go - galleries, museums, gigs, bars etc. Basically anywhere that'll shake you out of your comfort zone and introduce you to new people. If you're able, try and do something new every week or month which will bring you into contact with new people, whether that's joining a club or meet up, or a class for whatever hobby you're into.



Going out the old-fashioned way is still the most common way to meet a boyfriend, girlfriend or partner. As found by Compare the Market, 27% of couples meet at a social gathering like a party, pub or night out. So, don't be afraid to get out there and start a conversation with somebody new.

Make eye contact

This is like swiping photos in real-life. But the difference is the person is right in front of you and able to make a direct connection. You instinctively know who you are attracted to, and there's nothing wrong in making that clear through eye contact when you are out. Just obviously be respectful of other people's boundaries, and don't creep any out - that goes without saying.



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Use your friends

In the nicest way possible, use your pals. After all, they know your great qualities, likes and dislikes. And, crucially, they know better than anyone if someone is a good fit for you. Plus, you know that any potential dates they put you in touch with already have a bangin' group of pals. Compare the Market's study found that 18% of people meet a partner through mutual friends, so don’t be afraid to let your mates know you're up for introductions to new people - you never know where it could lead. Make sure you return the favour and do the same for your single pals too.

Work mates can also be a great route to finding love, as you likely already have the same interests and goals in life. Plus, the research found that 18% of people still meet their partner in the workplace. That person who caught your eye across the office? Don't be afraid to start a conversation.

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Work out

Only 2% of people meet a partner in the gym, according to Compare the Market, but it can be an easy place to start a natural conversation. Just ask them to help spot you or to move some equipment. Plus, if you go to regular classes you're probably going to see some friendly faces you can chat to.

But the gym isn't the only workout location perfect for meeting a partner. Try joining a club or a team for whatever kind of exercise you like: triathlons, yoga, hockey, football, etc. Meeting weekly to work out and going for a drink afterwards will mean you meet a whole new set of people - and therefore their friends... it's all about widening your network.

Accept invites

Yes, of course it can be intimidating to go to events on your own, but it's normally possible to get a plus one and bring a friend. If not, try and get out of your comfort zone if you can and go on your own. It's daunting but gets easier with practice. Plus, the chances are your friends who invite you to these events will have cool and interesting mates you’ve never met before. You can always ask them to intro you if you're feeling shy or awkward.

How to turn dating into a relationship

Sadly, actually going to the right places to find your potential partner is just half the battle when it comes to starting a relationship. Compare the Market found that 33% of relationships started with casual dating, while 32% actually started as platonic friends. Meanwhile, 20% of relationships began through a series of formal dates, with just 9% evolving out of a purely physical relationship. So, next time you start daydreaming about your friend with benefits or fuck buddy turning into an actual thing, think again as it's not super likely to happen.

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Annabelle Knight Bsc Dip Annabelle Knight Bsc Dip is one of the most relevant experts when it comes to dating, sex and relationships, a certified couples counsellor, qualified life coach and has a diploma in psychosexual therapy.

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