Huh. This is not a problem I hear much.

I mean, I hear from a lot about people who wish their partners had different priorities, but the friend thing is unique – after a certain age, at least. Most people tell me they wish they could have relationships with friends. They’ve run out of eligible friends with whom they have chemistry. They’re stick of having to start from scratch with strangers.

But the good news for you is that strangers are everywhere. They’re on apps, of which there are many. You won’t know these people at all, but they tend to list their priorities, hobbies, etc. They mention their jobs. Sometimes they show pictures of themselves on mountains. The difficult part is figuring out whether they’re what you want (and whether they like you) when you’re starting from nothing. But you won’t be distracted by a shared history. That might make it easier to figure out someone’s strongest character traits.

Getting to know someone new does take a lot of work, though, so you’ll have to be ready to listen and invest. Right now, that might mean FaceTime calls. Please understand that you might feel a lack of connection with everyone at first – because they’re not your friends. You’ll have to be patient. Get ready.

Meredith

Readers? Advice for dating strangers … how to find them and what the experience will be like?