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What’s the best way to meet new people while traveling?

Want to Meet People? Get Up and Go.

It’s funny, because I get asked some version of this all the time. Sometimes it’s about traveling. Sometimes it’s about dating. Sometimes people just want to know how you walk into a place where you don’t know anybody and end up making friends.

My answer is pretty simple: get up and fucking go.

Go to the local coffee shop. Find a little breakfast joint. Get there in the morning, order a coffee, and say hello to somebody.

It can be Starbucks. It can be the diner down the street. You don’t need to find some perfect hidden spot before you leave the house. You need to get around people and start talking.

I’ve always been kind of an old soul. Even when I was younger, I liked being at the breakfast joints early in the morning. You start seeing the same people. You say good morning. You have a conversation. Keep going, and eventually you find yourself sitting around with a bunch of buddies.

That’s how it happened for me. I showed up, talked to people, and kept showing up.

When you’re traveling, you can do the same thing. Walk into a local breakfast place and ask somebody what you should check out while you’re in town. Where’s a good place to eat? What’s going on around here? Where do the locals go?

Then listen. Find out a little about them. Let the conversation go wherever it goes. Everybody has a story, and you won’t hear it if you never say hello.

For me, morning coffee and breakfast beat the bar. I like that early crowd. People getting their day started, the regulars talking, somebody sitting there with a cup of coffee. That’s my kind of place.

And I think people make this harder than it needs to be, especially with dating. Everybody wants to get on a fucking app. Personally, I’d rather get out in the world and actually meet somebody. Have a conversation. See how we get along.

You don’t have to walk in looking for a date or your next best friend, either. Just be friendly. Say hi. Some conversations will be short. Some people will be busy. That’s fine. You can still enjoy your coffee and go about your day.

Now, I do have my own little secret when I’m traveling: the local cigar lounge.

I’m an avid cigar smoker, so that’s an easy place for me to meet people. We already have something in common. Sit down, have a cigar, and start talking. That’s usually all it takes to get a conversation going.

But if cigars aren’t your thing, my first answer is still the coffee shop. First thing in the morning. Or that little breakfast joint with the regulars sitting around.

And if you’re staying in town for a few days, go back. Give yourself a chance to become a familiar face.

People ask how I meet people so easily. A lot of it comes down to being willing to start the conversation.

Get up. Get out. Get a coffee.

Say hello. See where it goes.

— Nicholas Francis
Modern Day Dealer