How and where do I meet interesting/creative people?

January 7, 2012 5:09 AM

How and where do I meet people?

male, in my early thirties. I don't have any "interesting" hobby (like painting etc) but I do read a lot, and have good knowledge about a bunch of topics. I am willing to try new things too.

I want to meet creative/smart people and hang out with them, and possibly do a project or two. I am not interested in big crowds, bars and noisy places. Meetups are okay, but it takes time to find a good one that is worth going regularly to.

Also, I want to meet in person, not online.

Any other ideas/options?

posted by raghuram to Society & Culture (14 answers total)

Try and find a community theatre and offer to help out backstage, or audition if you're feeling brave.
posted by h00py at 5:14 AM on January 7, 2012 [2 favorites]

Creative and smart people tend to have interesting hobbies. They don’t hang out; they do things, or at the very least talk about things.

If you read a lot, your choice of reading material might suggest a direction for you to take.
posted by mcwetboy at 5:18 AM on January 7, 2012 [3 favorites]

For me, when I was trying to meet new people, I looked for communities within the things I liked to do. For example, I am a cyclist, so I volunteered regularly at a local bicycle co-op, helped to build local mountain bike trails, and went on social rides. I have made numerous friends and strong connections from these communities.
posted by bwilms at 5:26 AM on January 7, 2012 [3 favorites]

I've met people different places. Through studies or school, but also through the Internet. One of my best friends I met on a forum with similar interests, and I realized we lived in the same city so we chatted a bit and now we have a project going on together and meet up weekly. I'm a guy, and we're just pals, it wasn't a woman!

Also: Attend different things like movie clubs or alternative concerts, literature events and such. If it's small scale people are usually more interested in getting to know strangers, because you are already interesting to them and have something in common just by being there!
posted by Lotsofcoffee at 5:36 AM on January 7, 2012

It would help to know where where you are and what your interests are. The Appalachian mountain club is pretty decent for the east coast. I have about 7a friends in their 30s that all became Masons (I told them I wasn't interested unless there were goat masks and summoning rituals to the old ones). I did some volunteering through a work affiliate and met a few people... beyond that, see the meeting people in new towns thread (coffee shops and waffle houses at 4:00AM apparently is a happening place). I'll also add reading groups at your local library, though I left mine temporarily when 'The Help' was selected...

Beyond that - call old friends and make the time to hang out.
posted by Nanukthedog at 6:43 AM on January 7, 2012 [1 favorite]

Meetups are okay, but it takes time to find a good one that is worth going regularly to.

How would you define "a good one that is worth going regularly to"? What kinds of projects did you have in mind when you wrote "and possibly do a project or two"?

You may not have interesting hobbies but you probably have interesting interests that other people are interested in and loose communities probably exist around those interests (such as what bwilms described).
posted by headnsouth at 6:51 AM on January 7, 2012

Maker Groups may be up your alley.
posted by uncannyslacks at 7:00 AM on January 7, 2012

Volunteer for something others might find intimidating; homeless assistance, elder care, or big brothers for example. You will meet people who are made of sterner stuff, and you might just learn some more about yourself.
posted by halfbuckaroo at 8:35 AM on January 7, 2012 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: @halfbuckaroo
any organizations that you can suggest?
posted by raghuram at 8:42 AM on January 7, 2012

What is something that you've always wanted to do but never got around to? A childhood interest that a younger you worked out a plans for you were older and able, but you forgot about? A proficiency you've found yourself envious of when you've seen it in others?

You've earmarked some time to meet people, now decide that you can use the same already-earmarked time to fulfil a dream, or chase a passion that you didn't realise you had. You'll not only get a better return on your effort, your deeper interest will produce deeper and more rewarding interactions with the communities.

I've found good people in the Maker crowd, dance classes, the local burner group (attendees of Burning Man), community theatre, sports clubs, etc.
posted by -harlequin- at 9:04 AM on January 7, 2012 [2 favorites]

Seconding Burning Man meet-ups. I imagine they'll vary in quality from place to place, but I've no doubt that many have the qualities you're looking for.
posted by coolguymichael at 10:08 AM on January 7, 2012

2nding halfbuckaroo - volunteering is awesome. It has to be something that you are passionate about, we can't tell you where you should volunteer. Since you love to read, maybe you could help immigrants who are learning English?, or tutor kids with their school work?, or maybe some other issue is really important to you that we know nothing about -- maybe someone in your family suffers from Alzheimer's or has had cancer or whatever, and you would like to help in those areas? You can volunteer at museums or libraries or all kinds of places. Have fun.
posted by fieldtrip at 11:39 AM on January 7, 2012

@halfbuckaroo
any organizations that you can suggest?

Please check your me-mail.
posted by halfbuckaroo at 12:30 PM on January 7, 2012

If there's a hackerspace in your area, maybe that'd fit the bill. Definitely lots of ridiculously interesting smart creative people at the one I've been to.

list of hackerspaces
posted by smcameron at 1:13 PM on January 7, 2012 [1 favorite]