How to make friends in Paris

For some reason I have launched myself into 2012 with a sense of excitement, energy and optimism. I am waiting for the crash. For the (inevitable?) time when I say, "nahh, actually I can't be bothered." But so far, it hasn't happened. And until it does I am embracing my willingness to get out and about, meet new people and do new things.

So I have set myself a challenge: every week I need to either try somewhere different, whether it be a cafe, bar, museum, park etc., or I need to do something that involves meeting new people.

Now, the trying somewhere different part of my challenge is not too difficult. (Although saying that if you've read my post on table service in Paris you'd know that actually going somewhere on my own is immensely stressful!) However, the meeting new people part could be tricky, especially with the famous Parisian friendliness. I'm not about to start striking up conversations with people on the metro now, am I.

But there is another way, and it comes via the saviour of all mankind's problems, the internet.



All hail Meetup! (I realise that I am now going to sound like I'm sponsored by Meetup, if only that were true.)

Meetup is a network of local groups that organise themselves through the meetup website. In Paris there are hundreds to join, many whose main language is English. I'm part of several meetup groups on varying themes from sewing to reading to just downright partying. And I've met some lovely (and some really annoying, of course) people at each one.

When I first arrived in Paris I knew literally no one, but luckily a friend of a friend had told me about the meetup events and on my first Friday night in Paris I took myself off to my first Brit meetup. I was so nervous it was untrue but I just kept telling myself that staying at home, alone on a Friday night was surely much scarier!

And now, over one year later, all of my current friends in Paris, bar one, are as a result of a Meetup that I've attended. In my experience, they are really the best way to meet people and make friends. Some of them can be duds (the meetups that is, not the people) but it only takes that one person you feel a connection with to make all the difference.

Because at the end of the day, exploring new cafes, museums, parks and bars is only half the fun without friends to share them with. Right?

PP