Communicating More Effectively
223The statistics were similar for people in unmarried partnerships (couples cohabit -
ing, couples in long-term partnerships, and couples in short-term partnerships), although 
some of the numbers were different in these other groups. For example, compared with 
married people, unmarried people in short-term relationships were more likely to have 
met their partners at a bar (17 percent) or a party (25 percent) and less likely to have 
met them at a place of worship (1 percent). Note that this survey was conducted before 
the Internet boom, so it doesn’t include information about online dating. We will return 
to this topic shortly.
There are many other locations where it can be relatively easy to develop new 
friendships or to meet a potential partner. Some examples include the following: through 
a hobby (for example, joining a photography club or a theater group), getting involved in 
a sport (joining a bowling league, a running club, or a hiking group), getting in shape (for 
instance, lifting weights in a gym, joining an aerobics class, taking swimming lessons), 
taking dance classes, volunteering for an organization, forming a book club or reading 
group, attending public lectures, taking a part-time job, enrolling in an adult education 
course, or traveling (perhaps with a group).
The best way to meet new people is to do the things that you enjoy doing. That 
way, you are likely to meet people who enjoy the same things you do. For example, if 
you don’t enjoy drinking alcohol or spending time in bars, you should think twice about 
trying to meet people there. At a bar, you are likely to meet people who enjoy going to 
bars. You should also keep in mind the types of people you are likely to meet by getting