The cold weather is almost completely gone in Toronto. Winter is in the rearview mirror. Spring is fast arriving, as you anticipate an amazing summer. If you're single, part of this excitement is that members of the opposite sex will come out of hibernating from the cold. But where do you actually meet them?
Take this for what it is – I'm a happily married Tamil man sharing my insights in terms of where I think Tamil singles will have the most luck with meeting other Tamil singles.
1. Do NOT go to clubs/lounges. This may be a bias on my end and it’s usually the first place that people think of, but I have no idea why. The place is very loud (even if there’s great music), full of intoxicated people and is always an accidental bump away from somebody getting into a fight. Go to clubs if you like to dance and are just going to hang out with your girls or boys. But if you are looking for that special someone, good luck!
2. Play in a sports league. There are a number of great & affordable sports leagues around the city. You could play in leagues like TSSC or if you are looking for leagues with more of a Tamil flavour, you could try OTBL and WOTSL, the two premiere Tamil sports leagues (for both men and women respectively). There is nothing like a competitive game of basketball or volleyball to be a good icebreaker when talking to that potentially special someone. If you are looking for someone who is into sports as much as you are – this is a fantastic place.
3. Bookstore or coffee shop. Ideally a place with both. I’m thinking the Indigo bookstore at Kennedy/401 with the Starbuck’s sharing the space. People reading books or coffee are ideal candidates to have great conversations with. Nothing is sexier than talking to somebody who can have an hour long debate on prominent themes in the novel that you are both reading. Also – most people in a coffee shop (when they are by themselves) are easier to engage in conversation. They may be intently looking at their laptop working on an assignment – but if you bring over a good caffeine-based beverage and some jokes, you will be a welcome distraction (you have a 5-10 minute window to impress, think of it as an interview).
4. Play board games. Board game cafes are all the craze right now. It started with Snakes & Lattes – but other ones have started popping up around the city. I’m still surprised Scarborough (the Toronto Tamil hub) has yet to get one, but I hope someone who reads this will set one up so I can go next time I’m there. If you’re competitive, and sports is not your thing, the next best thing is board games. My first fight with my wife (who was then just my girlfriend) was over a game of Scrabble. I challenged her on a word...and I won. But really I lost, because she didn’t talk to me for the rest of the night. I started to understand the saying “Happy wife, happy life” that day. All I’m saying is – if she can outsmart you in a game of Scrabble or Monopoly Deal, do explore further!
5. Volunteering. If you’re a nice human and you are passionate about a cause – chances are, finding somebody with an equally big of heart (or at least an interest in helping others) is somebody you could build a future with. There are a number of organizations within the Tamil community doing great things including CanTYD and SAAAC.
6. Online dating. This is always a great option as you literally can sit in your pajamas at home and meet people in your city (or even around the world!). The best part is that it brings together everyone you could meet from all the other suggestions above, under one platform. Try myTamilDate if you're specifically looking for someone Tamil or a site like OkCupid if you're interested in meeting people from various backgrounds. Both have had great success stories.
This list was a result of recent discussions I've had with single friends. By discussion, I mean more of a debate with me trying to get them to think beyond the standard club or bar/lounge.
This list is definitely not complete - so if you have any ideas, please feel free to share either on social media or send an email to hello@tamilculture.com.
Looking to create your love story? Join the other couples who have dated and married through myTamilDate.com!
"How a Message on myTamilDate.com Led to an Engagement for Lavanya & Vitharan"
Related articles:
TC Talks (Episode 01): Wedding, Marriage and Social Media: A Male Perspective
Observations of a Happily Married Tamil Man
