The student population in this city is more than half the
size of the entire population on the peninsula, making casual run-ins a
way of life. So whether you’re crushing on that cute boy in your
Dinosaurs and Their World class or swooning over the server at a nearby
cafe, the following hotspots will help provide the spark for fiery
flirting.
Pizza Corner (Grafton and Blowers)
During the day, Pizza Corner serves as a main pedestrian
thoroughfare for those heading downtown or up to Spring Garden. You can
meet henna-painted and incense-scented folks at the nearby Black
Market, heads perusing pipes at Mary Janes Smokeshop and
skaters at Pro Girl and Pro Skateboards &
Snowboards.
At night, the corner becomes a gong show. If you didn’t find that
special someone at the bar, odds are you can find them at one of the
two pizza parlours or indulging at King of Donair. With plenty
of seating and extra large slices, you can find time to catch up on
things at Sicilian Pizza. If you’re not into pizza or donairs
you can always grab something equally delicious at European Food
Shop (of course, they still have pizza, if Sicilian and KoD don’t
do it for you).
Cafes
Students and coffee go together better than students and debt, so
don’t be surprised to find yourself waiting for a table to free up at
your favourite cafe. While you wait you can make your rounds saying hi
to familiar faces. You can find hipsters and hippies alike drinking
mochas at Steve-O-Reno’s. Bookish and honour roll students flock
to the quiet and studious air of Trident Booksellers and Cafe.
North end cats and NSCAD students are sure to be prowling around
Alteregos. For those looking to relax with a pot of tea and some
scrumptious snacks, crushes can be found curled up on one of the cushy
chairs at Blowers Street Paper Chase. In fact, you can’t go
wrong strolling into any of the too-numerous-to-name cafes on the
peninsula.
Halifax Farmers’ Market
I defy you to go to the Saturday market and not run into at least a
handful of people. I know one Halifamous local who goes twice—once to
shop and once to mingle. The entire market is plum for meetings. But
there is one particular epicentre for run-ins—the line-ups for the
Creperie Mobile and Julien’s. These line-ups are always
long, and offer a break from the shark-like movements needed to
navigate the rest of the market. But if you’re more into sweets, the
line-up at Mary’s Bread Basket is also a popular spot to meet
people and have some sweet cinnamon rolls.
The NSLC
For students with loans and studying to do, you wouldn’t think the
liquor store would be a popular spot. Nonetheless, sure as tequila
shots are a bad idea, the liquor store is a great place to run into
people. If you’re unsure what to talk about you can ask what their
plans are with that Colt 45, or, if they’re more highbrow, which $10
wine they suggest. If you’re looking to run into a particular someone
though, location plays a big part in where you should buy your booze.
The Clyde, Quinpool and Queen Street stores are a good bet to find SMU
and Dal dorm residents. And though it might not be pretty, the Agricola
Street location is perfect to find those looking to drink away the
dampness of the long and wet Halifax winter.
Argyle Street
When it’s nicer out, the patios on Argyle are peppered with
acquaintances that can turn a five-minute walk into 15. Likewise, if
you’re on the patio, keep a chair open for a passing friend. Cold or
warm, you can always count on finding a familiar face tucked in a
corner in the labyrinthine Economy Shoe Shop. The other bars on
the street such as Bitter End (for martinis), The Argyle Bar
& Grill (for beers and bros) and The Dome (for a crowd)
are up to the discretion of the clientele you’re seeking to meet.
Etiquette
Of course, while Halifax is great for running into an old friend,
classmate or love interest, you’re also just as likely to run into your
nemesis, ex or frosh week one-night stand. There’s no way to avoid
these situations, so you might as well be prepared. Here’s a little
run-in etiquette to help you through.
Acknowledge their presence This isn’t Toronto or Calgary, so
people don’t stare at the sidewalk when walking and you can’t get lost
in a crowd. They will see you.
Don’t be afraid to smile It’s a nice way to say, “I’m happy
to see you,” but also avoids those time-consuming conversation-starting
greetings.
Don’t be afraid to chat
If you do have a direct run-in, a simple what’s going on is fine.
They’re probably going somewhere and don’t want a long chat either.
Have an excuse ready in advance
The old standbys are “I’m running late” and/or you have to catch a
bus/ferry. Haligonians are always running late. And now you can too by
visiting these hotspots. I hope we can run into each other sometime.
This article appears in Sep 3-9, 2009.
You know, it’s funny, but meeting people out of the blue really can be taken the wrong way I’ve noticed! My parents met out of the blue, my dad just spoke to my mom. It was as easy as that! Now it seems if you’re talking to someone whom you’ve never met, you might as well have 3 or 4 heads sprouting out of those shoulders!
Three tips that I’ve learned for how to meet new people on a whim:
1) Buy them a drink. If they don’t suspect you’ve slipped something in it, then it’s probably a safe bet that you can have a chat about the band playing and what their interests are.
2) If it’s broad daylight, don’t let your nerves get to you. Too many times have I not spoken to someone I was slightly intimidated by and completely regretted it 5 minutes later after they’ve since walked away. If you fumble over your words, at least you’ve probably managed to get out the most important things you’re trying to say… probably something along the lines of “My name is _______, I bet you’re really interesting, Lovely Weather, add me on facebook” etc. At least from there you can establish some sort of getting-to-know you. Do not get discouraged if you frig up time and time again, forget about stranger danger for a moment, and it will get easier. Remember we ARE in Halifax, everyone knows almost everyone, so you are probably still in the near eye of a block parent in case of emergency.
3) If this person.. or these people, are where you are, and you’re in some sort of place where you like to be (ie: local bakery, music store/section, sweet clothing shop, mstrkrft show) You already have some similar interests. Go from there.
That’s my pointers to go along with those of Mike Landry. Great article and suggestions of meeting places by the way!
PS: Line ups and grocery stores are REALLY GREAT PLACES to meet people. next time you’re standing in line and will probably be there for 10-20 minutes or so, make friends with the people around you. As for the grocery store – If you’re there buying food, you think food is good, you love to cook, be cooked for, or just eat premade shit in frozen boxes, that goes along the similar interests subject. I stole someones grocery cart once and made a really great friend. I honestly thought it was a sale cart, but it was just another po-ass student such as myself trying to save a buck. Turned into a new friend. Voila. Easy as (McCain’s Frozen) pie!