The 3 Best Places to Meet Women Who Are Receptive to Talking to You
My name is Gary Gunn, and for the last 17 years, I’ve been coaching single men in everyday situations. Today I’m in London, not because I’ve been hosting a course, but because tomorrow I’ll be starting a five-day acting course at Rada, which is the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. The course is on the Meisner technique. Make sure you stay tuned because I’ll be sharing how this technique applies directly to your dating life.
Now let’s get into the topic of today’s post: the three best places to meet women where they are actually receptive to talking to you.
A lot of guys think the best places to meet women are bars, nightclubs, or dating apps. The truth is, those are the hardest places. Women there are often closed off or overwhelmed with attention. Instead, the best places to meet women are everyday situations where the timing and environment work in your favor.
Timing is the key. When you approach women in the right context, they are far more open to meeting you.
Clothing stores at the end of the day
One of the best places to meet women is clothing stores, especially later in the day. Towards the end of the day, women are calm, relaxed, and often just passing time before heading home. That makes them far more open to conversation.
If you go shopping at the start of the day, it’s completely different. At that time, the staff are busy, rushing around, and not in the mindset to chat. But in the final hour of the day, you are more likely to be welcomed with open arms.
For example, today when I arrived in London, I went to a vintage arch market. I know a few of the women working there, and they all said the same thing: “Thank you so much for coming in at the end of the day. It’s been so quiet today. Thanks for keeping me company.”
That’s the key insight. When you meet women in this context, you are adding value by giving them company and energy when they want it most.
Tourist areas near your city
The second best place to meet women is in tourist areas. If you live near a popular tourist attraction, this is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to meet new people.
Here’s why. Tourists are naturally more open to talking to strangers. They are away from their routines, they are in discovery mode, and they often welcome interaction with someone local. You can easily start a conversation by offering local advice or sharing some insider knowledge about the area.
Tourist areas are perfect for practicing your conversation skills. Because most of these women are not from your city, there’s no pressure. You can focus purely on practicing your social skills, building confidence, and learning how to keep conversations flowing.
When you consistently practice in these environments, it becomes much easier to carry those skills into situations where you are more invested in the outcome.
Art galleries and creative spaces
The third best place to meet women, and one of my personal favorites, is art galleries. These environments are relaxed, calm, and designed for slow-paced interaction. Women who go to art galleries often spend hours looking at the artwork, which makes it the perfect opportunity for you to strike up a natural conversation.
Let me give you an example. I was working with a client using something I call in-ear coaching. He wore an earpiece so he could hear me during interactions. We were at the Tate Modern in London, and I told him to go ask a woman what she first noticed about the artwork she was looking at.
She replied, “I noticed the bright colors.”
I told him to say the opposite of what he thought, which is a useful tip. He said, “When I see this, I see darkness.”
Her reaction was immediate. She turned toward him, played with her hair, and leaned in as if he had just said something profound. From that short conversation, they ended up going for coffee and then cocktails while still on my course.
Art galleries work because they create a natural flow for conversations that go deeper. You are not rushing. You have time. And the subject matter itself gives you endless material to talk about.
Building value over time
Another variation of this is visiting arts markets or independent stores where people are sociable and used to dealing with the public. One mistake men make is trying to pick up a woman in one go. That’s not how it works in these environments.
Instead, you should build rapport over time. Go once, have a chat, then come back a few weeks later. Next time, you could ask, “Do you drink tea or coffee?” Then on a future visit, bring them a coffee. What you’re doing here is exchanging value: their time for your practice and your effort for their attention.
When you interact this way, you create a reputation. Other people notice. For example, while I was chatting with one of the women in the store, another attractive woman from a nearby stall came over and joined the conversation. Why? Because I was already creating value and energy in that environment.
And that’s the deeper point. The best places to meet women are the ones where you give value, not just try to take it. If you only think in terms of wanting intimacy or sex, you’re focusing on what you want. But if you shift your mindset to giving—whether that’s energy, advice, or a good vibe—women will naturally be drawn to you.
How to start conversations in the best places to meet women
Knowing the best places to meet women is only half the equation. The other half is how you actually start the conversation. Here are some simple approaches you can use in each environment:
Clothing stores: Ask for an opinion on an item. For example, “I’m not sure if this would suit me, what do you think?” This works well because it feels natural in that setting.
Tourist areas: Offer local advice. For example, “Are you visiting? You should check out this café around the corner, it’s a local favorite.” You’re giving value immediately.
Art galleries: Share your perspective on the art. For example, “What’s the first thing you noticed about this piece?” This opens the door to a deeper conversation without any pressure.
In every case, the key is to be genuine and lighthearted. You’re not trying to impress. You’re creating a natural flow that makes the woman feel comfortable and curious about you.
Mistakes to avoid when meeting women
Most men make the mistake of putting too much pressure on themselves or the situation. They think they need to walk away with a phone number or a date immediately. That mindset kills your ability to relax and connect.
Instead, focus on enjoying the moment. Every conversation is a chance to practice and to bring value. Sometimes it leads to more, sometimes it doesn’t. But when you remove the pressure, women sense that freedom and respond much more positively.
Another common mistake is going into these places with the mentality of “picking up” women. That approach feels transactional and will backfire. The best places to meet women are not hunting grounds. They are places where you can share energy, build rapport, and allow attraction to develop naturally.
Why giving value makes you more attractive
At the heart of all of this is the idea of giving value. When you shift your focus from taking to giving, your entire presence changes.
Giving value can mean making someone laugh, offering useful advice, or simply providing enjoyable company. It shows that you are confident enough not to need something in return. That confidence and generosity make you attractive without effort.
When women feel that you are not trying to get something from them, they relax. They open up. And they often end up being the ones who suggest exchanging numbers or meeting again.
Putting it all together
So let’s recap. The three best places to meet women are:
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Clothing stores at the end of the day
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Tourist areas near where you live
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Art galleries and creative spaces
Each of these environments works because women are relaxed, open, and have the time to engage in real conversations. When you practice consistently in these places, you build the skills and confidence to meet women anywhere.
Remember, this isn’t about trying to “pick up” women. It’s about building connections, practicing your social skills, and leading with value. When you do that, everything else follows naturally.
Written by Gary Gunn
I coach men to build real self-confidence so they can meet, attract and date the women they truly desire.
My coaching is practical, real-world and focused on lasting behavioural change.
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