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Dating Strategy for Singles
New Ways to Meet Your Match

It all starts with a phone call from a friend who promises that your ideal date has been found. And, although you're skeptical, you arrange a meeting. Fast forward to the restaurant. You are sitting across from a person who couldn't possibly be more different from you. You have nothing in common. Even worse, the tab for the meal will come close to equaling the national debt, and, worst of all, you still have to conjure up a few hours of painful dialogue.

Hmm. Does this sound familiar?

In today's busy world, establishing a quality relationship--or even locating people with like interests so there's a possibility of establishing a relationship--is a daunting and often demeaning task. It can be a balancing act in which you risk loss of time, money and ego.

Enter Table for Six. Fifteen years ago, Julie Paiva realized that setting up blind dates is a frustrating, difficult way to coerce individuals into a relationship. And that's where her idea for a business began to grow: Put six prescreened singles--three women and three men--in a comfortable setting like a great restaurant and see what happens. Include a complimentary bottle of wine, a seasoned intermediary and separate checks, and get set for an evening of conversation and intrigue. All the ingredients for relationship building are on hand without any uncomfortable feeling of obligation.

It gets better. Say you go out for an evening with Table for Six and find that you're interested in another attendee--or vice versa--but you didn't have an opportunity that night to get better acquainted. Just call Table for Six the next day and indicate your desire to see that person again, only this time in a one-on-one situation. Table for Six will contact the individual to broker your request. If the desire is mutual, further plans are made. If not, you are spared the embarrassment of a person-to-person rejection.

But what if you would rather get to know someone during an action-packed adventure--running whitewater rapids, perhaps, or navigating a hot-air balloon? No problem! Table for Six offers an impressive list of excursions and exciting adventures for folks who want to combine companionship with a little adrenaline. If kayaking among seals or horseback riding on the beach is your cup of tea, give Table for Six a call.

Now, let your inner accountant run some numbers. Say you attend a Table for Six dinner once a week for a year. During that time, you'll meet 260 people of similar age and interests. How's that for great prospects! You're not likely to do nearly so well at your local sports bar eating buffalo wings and watching the Niners. (Besides, greasy fingers and barbecue sauce aren't exactly aphrodisiac.)

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and are intrigued by Table for Six, click here. If you live elsewhere, check out some of the following resources that, like Table for Six, provide a chance to meet people in a stress-free setting.

Adventures Out West
http://www.adventuresoutwest.com/
Singles in Arizona and Colorado can mingle on hot-air balloon flights, jeep tours, rafting trips, horseback rides, bike rides, llama hikes, scenic van tours and Western dinner parties.

Back of Beyond
http://www.backofbeyond.com/
Back of Beyond offers hiking, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and more in Vermont.

Butterfield and Robinson
http://www.butterfieldandrobinson.com/index8.html
Walk or bike in scenic spots around the globe on tours designed for singles and families.

Travelin' Singles
http://members.tripod.com/~travelin_singles/ts.htm
This traveling group is designed to help singles meet people while exploring the world!

Experience Plus
http://www.experienceplus.com/bicycling/singles.html
Explore France, Costa Rica or Italy by bicycle, and meet spirited, adventurous people at the same time on these experiential getaways for singles.

Singles On-line Travel Tours
http://www.singlesonline.com/travelinfo.htm
It's easy to find travel activities with other single people in your area--or to post your own! Just click http://www.singlesonline.com/fcact.htm.

Single Gourmet
http://www.single-gourmet.com/
Southern California singles can enjoy dinner engagements and other activities with Single Gourmet.