Finding a hook up

Put yourself where it can happen

Nobody finds a hookup by staying in, so widen the places you're seen. Three routes cover most of it, and you can run all of them at once.

Online, with your intentions up front

Set your nearest town, add some photos and say what you're looking for on your profile before anyone says hello. Our profile tips help you get replies; for a first local look, there's the near me page. A clear first message gets further than a clever one.

Somewhere you'd go anyway

A class, a gig, a quiz night, a club you already like. The dance class post argues that dancing puts you in a room full of new faces and makes touch natural, with nobody having to make the first move. The same goes for anything where you stand next to strangers with a shared interest. Ask what brought them there; it's an easy opener for anyone.

On the way somewhere

A commute is dead time. The train post points out that nobody in the carriage is competing with you and nobody has a better offer than the view. Say hello before your stop.

A fourth route is people you already know. Tell a couple of friends you'd welcome an introduction.

Whichever route you take, know what you're after. The early sex post argues that sleeping together soon shows whether you fit before you've spent weeks on dinners. You don't have to agree to see the sense in saying what you want up front: one night, a regular arrangement or let's see. And don't put everything on one conversation. Chat to a few people and see who's up for a drink this week.