Life
How To Actually Meet Someone When You're On Vacation
Summertime — and the lovin’ is easy. (Wait, is that not how that lyric goes?) It’s always how it went for me, back when I was single. Starting in sixth grade I would dump my school year boyfriend because I wanted to be free and easy over the summer to make out with whichever cute boys I met. I mean, that’s what I did until I actually fell in love for the first time — but that’s a whole other story. But, yeah, summertime — and that summertime favorite, vacation — is a great time for meeting people. So how do you actually meet someone on vacation?
Well, first of all, meeting someone on vacation isn’t that different from meeting someone in your regular life. All of the best tips about meeting someone IRL apply, but the biggest difference is that you’ll have a lot more time to spend seeking out cuties and flirting than you would in the normal course of your life. Pool time? Check. Day drinking? Check. White water rafting? Check! Also, of course, meeting someone at work — which is a really common way to meet people, much to the chagrin of every HR department ever — isn’t going to be on the list.
“A big part of dating and meeting people is timing!” Meredith Davis, Head of Communications at the dating app The League tells Bustle. “For example, sometimes I may be 'single' on dating apps, but I'm just getting into a new relationship or just getting out of one and may not be as emotionally 'single' as someone I match with. During the day-to-day work week we are a bit more closed-minded and focused other many other things, but vacations and holidays are times when we have a bit more time to focus on our relationships!”
So, with no further ado, here are seven tips for meeting someone when you’re on vacation.
1Go To Bars
Bars are great for meeting people to hook up with in your daily life, but they’re probably doubly great for vacation because people are more open to hookups when they’re traveling. Pick the one that has music you actually like and people you think you could talk to, of course, and get to flirting!
2Put Your Phone Down
Whether you’re at the pool, on the beach, at the bar, or doing an activity, you won’t meet anyone on vacation if you spend the whole time staring at your phone. (And that includes posting jealousy-inducing pics on Instagram!) So put your phone down and start making some eye contact if you want to get more contact. Get my drift?
3... Unless You’re On A Dating App
However, dating apps are a great way to meet people on vacation, just like they are in your regular life. So don’t write off swiping just because you’re not at home! Dating apps can be used for all kinds of intimacy and romance, from one-offs to meeting the person you’d like to spend your life with. Just don’t get sucked into the trap of staring at your phone when you could be staring at the people all around you. That’s a surefire way to miss out.
4Do Activities You Like
This is another “applies in your daily life as well” one: Get out and do things you like! (And yes, lying on the beach and reading totally counts.) Group activities are a great way to break the ice and most vacation places have plenty of options for whatever you’re into.
“Meeting someone on vacation is a great way to connect on similar interests,” Davis says. “Skiing versus beach bum. Museum tourist versus adrenaline junkie. We see a much higher match rate for those who share similar outdoor interests and vacation spots and like to do the same ‘offline’ things — so much so that we created entire group and events feature about it. The match rate between those who like similar places or sports is 30 percent higher.”
5Talk — To Everyone
But for real though. If you’re going to meet someone on vacation — or really any time — you have to be open to meeting someone. And that means you have to talk to strangers. Sorry, folks, but that’s just the way it is. Also, fun pro-tip: Talk to people who aren’t in your dating demographic, too. That nice older lady might have a son traveling with her or that guy could have a sister — but you’ll never know unless you talk to them.
6Make Sure You Get Contact Info
If you do meet someone you jive with, make sure to get their contact info. Phone number, Facebook, Twitter — whatever. Unlike your life back home, it’s a little harder to run into people again because routine isn’t so much of thing when you’re on vacation. So get those digits!
7Be Open To Something (Or Someone) Different
Finally, it’s a good idea to be open to new things — and new types of people — when you’re trying to meet someone when you’re on vacation. One of the great things about going away from home is the fact that things are different so why not try a new activity? Or a new “type?” You might be surprised by what (or who) you find yourself attracted to.
Summertime and vacation hookups are awesome — and sometimes they even lead to long-term romance. But a simple summertime and the lovin’s easy romance is great too! So go out there, book your flights, and meet someone great this vacation.
Check out the “Sex & Relationships” stream in the Bustle App for tips, tricks, and advice on friends, sex, dating, and everything in-between.
