How to meet people who are into what you're into
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The easiest friendships start with something in common. You already know what you love. The trick is putting yourself where other people love it too, then making it easy for them to say hi.
Here are the places we'd start, plus the one line that gets a conversation going at each.
Run clubs
Most cities have free weekly run clubs, usually starting from a coffee shop or brewery. The run is the excuse. The coffee after is where everyone actually talks. The first line: "Wait, which run club?" Wear the RUN hat and you may not even need it.
Pickleball open play
Open play means you rotate partners, so you meet a new person every game. Hang around after and the parking lot turns into a social club. The first line: "Pickleball or pickles?" Wear the PICKLE hat and you may not even need it.
Bookshops and book clubs
Independent bookshops often host readings and book clubs. Everyone in the room already has something to talk about. The first line: "What are you reading?" Wear the BOOKS hat and you may not even need it.
The dog park
The dogs make the introductions. Everyone knows the dogs' names before they know each other's, and that's fine. The first line: "What's your dog's name?" Wear the DOGS hat and you may not even need it.
Sauna nights
Social saunas and bathhouses are popping up everywhere. The heat slows everyone down, and the walk to the cold plunge is a natural chat. The first line: "How hot do you go?" Wear the SAUNA hat and you may not even need it.
Studios and classes
Pick a regular class time and the same faces start showing up. The coffee shop next door does the rest. The first line: "Which studio do you go to?" Wear the PILATES hat and you may not even need it.
The 19th hole
Join a twilight league or just stay for a drink after your round. Nobody minds talking about their score, good or bad. The first line: "What'd you shoot?" Wear the GOLF hat and you may not even need it.
Chess clubs and cafe boards
Lots of coffee shops keep a board out, and chess clubs welcome every level. A game is a conversation with a built-in topic. The first line: "What's your opening?" Wear the CHESS hat and you may not even need it.
The farmers market
Bakers, cooks and anyone who loves food end up at the same stalls every Saturday. Ask what's good this week. The first line: "What's your starter called?" Wear the BREAD hat and you may not even need it.
Repertory screenings
Older films, special screenings and Q&As draw people who really love movies. The line for popcorn is a great place to ask what's next on their list. The first line: "Seen anything good lately?" Wear the CINEMA hat and you may not even need it.
Make the first hello easy
Showing up is most of it. The rest is giving people a reason to talk to you. Something they can read, like a book in your hand or a word on your hat, does that before you've said anything.
Every INTO hat is one big word in raised chenille on a soft cream crown, so the people who love what you love can spot you from across the room. Wear it around the thing, not just to it: the coffee after the run, the drive home from the dog park, the farmers market on Saturday.
Shopping for someone who's into something?
A hat with their word on it is a gift they'll actually wear. Browse running gifts, pickleball gifts, book lover gifts, dog lover gifts and more in our gift guide.
And if you want the opening lines for every word, here they are: conversation starters for every kind of person.
Be proud of what you're into.