Healthy Ways to Meet New People in Memphis

I know how hard it is to meet people when you get to be a certain age, especially in a city like Memphis that is very restrictive in some ways. Many people who grew up here are confined to entertaining and socializing in their own very small circles. The bar hopping route can be boring and really disastrous unless you go to some neighborhood-type bars like Zinnies's East that is more a hangout for people after work rather than a nightclub. I would be very wary about meeting strangers at some of the dance venues here as anywhere. Given this warning, I would say that there are some ways to meet people, however, and they're wholesome and can introduce people to like-minded folks who have similar interests and social behaviors.

Most large cities have certain groups that meet for special interests, which are related to recreation or exercise. One of these is the Bluff City Canoe Club. I belonged to this and can only say it's a ton of fun. They meet once a month at the Botanic Gardens off Park Ave. and are really family-friendly. It's a GREAT way to meet some extremely kind and nice people--even if you're not a big canoer. Don't worry. Go the first time and just see how many people come up and greet you. There are all levels of canoers here and little children and teens mix readily on all the trips. Another group is the Hightailers, which also meets monthly and has rides at all levels of expertise every week. Some of the trips are far afield and involve camping or staying in motels on the longer trips. For those who have a love of parks and green spaces, the Memphis Chapter of the Sierra Club is a no-brainer. Joining these people would give newcomers a chance to hobnob with others who have very strong views on keeping the environment green and protecting our green spaces and our parks. It is a bit environmentally extreme, but I have met some nice people with this group.

There are other groups that just have a common interest beyond athletics. Among these are alumni groups from all over the country. I didn't list these, but it would be a good idea to see if your college has a Chapter in Memphis. There's a good chance it will. The Bop Club, Camera Club, the Memphis Beer Club and Memphis Hog are groups that focus on a hobby. The Hogs are a group of wonderful Harley-Davidson Riders and enthusiasts who get together for trips, cookouts, and all sorts of get together fun events. I know that camera enthusiasts love the chance to get with others and compare gismos and technical stuff. I believe they even have competitions from time to time. The Stamp Club is for people who are real collectors and if you are, it's a really good way to trade news about rare stamps and especially getting information about venues and markets for buying and selling rare stamps. Now the Bop Club is something else. There are Bop Clubs all over the country and they're mostly made up of older folks in their forties and beyond. You'd be surprised how much fun these folks have getting together with each other and dancing to good old rock and roll.

I just have to mention the Yapclub. This has chapters all over the country and it's about time. The Yap Club is an online meetup forum for younger Urban Professionals to meet each other and be comfortable that they're with people who are similarly ambitious, educated and successful. While this may sound somewhat snotty, I don't think it is really. It just gives people a chance to meet people who know the climate in corporate America and who have had some similar experiences. It's also a sort of protection that people will not join to sponge off each other, as harsh as that may sound. Both couples and singles are welcome in their local groups, because it is for friendships too. There is even a similar Club in Atlanta just for young urban Professional Blacks, so that they can meet others who have had to struggle to achieve what they have and are proud of it. This club generally is for people in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s. By all means join if you fit this sort of demographic.

Last, and most fun, is my all time favorite--the local Parrothead club. Don't know what a Parrothead is? Well, if you're just someone who loves to laugh, talk, listen to some old-fashioned Jimmy Buffet-style island music, then this club will really be a source of a lot of pleasure. All the clubs are Buffet-endorsed and they provide charitable donations to many local recipients from activities they sponsor. They go on trips together, get together for area cleanup trips and so many other things. And the thing that's nice about Parrotheads the country over is that they are generally middle-of-the-road, and down to earth folks that love to do some good things and have some fun. They welcome all people, all colors and creeds and ages, and they're very friendly to singles. This is a must-join for anyone who thinks this has real appeal.

Below are web links to all of the groups mentioned, but there are others I didn't include because they can be found with any Google searches. I'm referring to online dating services. Be careful with these and never meet anyone for the first few times except in a very public places. I also didn't include links for the many volunteer organizations available. Sometimes volunteering can be a source of a lot of pride and satisfaction. It's also a way to connect with like-minded, kind people who may become good friends. There are a lot of ways to meet people, so don't give up. Just joining some groups may make life more fun and fulfilling.

http://www.newcomersclub.com/tn.html
www.memphisbopclub.com/
http://www.yapclub.com/memphis/
http://www.memphiscameraclub.org/
http://www.memphishog.com/
http://www.memphisphc.org/ parrot heads
http://homeschool.meetup.com/cities/us/tn/memphis/
http://www.memphisbeerclub.blogspot.com/
www.stampclubs.com/memphis/index.htm
www.memphisbocceclub.org
http://memphishightailers.clubexpress.com/
http://www.bluffcitycanoeclub.org/us.htm
http://tennessee.sierraclub.org/chickasaw/