It is hard enough to meet somebody and start a relationship. Issues of class, race, interests, finances and more often present themselves as obstacles tedious enough to be legitimately dubbed "emotional landmines." I don't want to focus on any of those right now; it may take more than a list to deal with them. I want to talk about the concern that presupposes all of the issues I just mentioned. In order to even confront those obstacles, you have to find your potential partner. But where?!?

Below are the top five places, from best to worst, to meet a potential sweetheart (read "best to worst" as "relationship to one-night stand").

Work
Yes, work. You're there every day, she's there every day. You have a cubicle in the middle of the room, he has a cubicle in the middle of the room. You're bond to get to know each other in ways you wouldn't otherwise, and sparks are bound to fly. The problem is one of the biggest paradoxes in American society: the best place to meet a romantic partner is the only place where it is not allowed by policy. Most workplaces forbid--or at best strongly discourage--office romances. I understand this rule, but I am also a fan of breaking it. Hook up, let the sparks fly, but be smart. Don't get into a relationship unless you really want it to go somewhere.

Church
Don't laugh. Spirituality is probably the most taken-for-granted aspect of a romantic relationship. Not enough people pay attention to it and they should (trust me). Think about it: she has the same belief in something unexplainable and detectable only through a deep intuition as you do. There's gotta be potential for a deep emotional connection there. What's more, she's kinda cute. Go with God and ask her out.

Holistic Health
Stay with me on this one. Yoga, Tai Chi, meditation: all these things enhance us spiritually in a way that may open us to the possible benefits of sharing our time and love with someone else who does these things. You might as well have a t-shirt that says "If I'm willing to do all this in public, imagine how sensuous I am in private." Say what you will, but it's a physical manifestation of my church argument. So sign up for that Yoga course and serenely whisper the mantra, "I'm getting a date tonight. I'm getting a date tonight. Jai Gura Hottie."

Parties
Of course. People are there to have fun, get a little saucy and, well, hook up. Whenever you get invited, by either the host or a friend of the host, to a party in which you're a relative stranger, the potential to find a love interest is very high. If you are single and tired of it, never turn down a party invitation! There's another single person there with the same relationship hopes as you. Find that person, strike up a conversation, and make sure your drinks are full.

Bars
My prior tip leads nicely into my last tip. News flash: people drink in bars. Bars lower inhibitions. Inhibitions down, sex potential up. The down side of downed inhibitions is that, when they are up again, things can, and often do, change drastically. Mr. Right can quickly turn into Mr. "Oh My God! What Have I Done? Do I Need a Restraining Order?" Thus, this tips placement as the last on the list. If you're looking for lasting love, it can possibly happen in a bar. Just don't try to make it all happen in one sloppy night. Of course, if you talk to a guy or girl in a bar enough establish a romantic relationship, you both might be alcoholics. For that issue, I suggest a different web site.

So, these are tips to help you in the first step of meeting someone. After that many other issues can and will arise. See the articles and other couch lists for those.

Where do you go to meet potential love interests?

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Would you date someone who had previously dated one of your friends?

Yes! I'm perfectly happy to date my friend's exes. They're exes for a reason.

No! It's too incestuous. I don't feel comfortable dating a friend's ex.

Maybe Yes: I haven't had the opportunity, but I don't see a problem with it.

Maybe No: I haven't done it, but I don't think I would.