Angela Philipps, Contributor

I have repeatedly received emails from ladies asking me this very question. The truth is you could buck up a single guy anywhere - in the gym or supermarket, at a bar or restaurant, watching a sporting event or a concert, or you might just meet one during a dinner party over at a friend's house. Then, of course, you have to deal with the uncertainty of whether the lads you like are, in fact, unattached. It's fairly easy to check their status if you know someone who knows them.

However, what if you take a fancy to a random punter in the crowd? You have no idea if he has a girlfriend or wife, and the only way of finding out is asking him yourself. What are you going to do, keep approaching every bloke until one tells you he is available? This might very well put you at the risk of appearing desperate!

Has it got to this stage though, ladies? Is the search for a partner becoming a hopeless situation? Assuming you are a 'normal' gal, with good things going for you - intelligence, job, looks, and you're kind - then, what's the problem? It's not life and death, but you'd like to have a man in your life. Someone with whom you can relate, talk and, in general, spend quality time. But you're not a social recluse, so why has it become increasingly difficult to encounter a decent single man? Or is that a single decent man? Whatever ... same thing! I'M KIDDING!!

Men are out there

OK, so you lasses out there are simply fed up, and have given up. You and your friends sound like stuck records complaining to each other that, "There are just no men out there!" The truth, is girls, there are. I'm quite sure that each of you has at least one male friend who is not in a relationship. Why don't you organise an intimate party, dinner or drinks, for you all at one of your homes? Each lady then invites a bachelor. You know, just because you're not interested in him in that way does not mean that he won't appeal to others!

Dinner is actually a grea You can get together beforehand to discuss the menu and who should prepare what. Decide on a guest list, only asking 'free' women, and each of them MUST bring along a man in the same position. It's probably a good idea that they, too, have the 'head's up' on the point of the evening!

Believe it or not, they're not in a dissimilar position! And if both sexes are grumbling about the lack of romance in their lives, well it's got to mean that the real problem is not the shortage of options, but of ways to discover the options! Make a seating plan that goes boy, girl, boy, girl, etcetera, and ensure that the guys all change places between courses. Hopefully, by the end of the night everyone will be acquainted and the future will be placed back into their hands.

Traffic Light Party

I know that a dinner party can sometimes be a hassle to plan, and expensive to execute, so why not have a BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) Traffic Light Party? Buy a load of stickers - red, amber and green, like the colours of traffic lights - and each person can wear one to indicate their 'status':

RED - Definitely taken

AMBER - Not sure but could be persuaded (I'd stay away from these if I were you!!)

GREEN - Free and single and ready to mingle

You might feel bad leaving out all your 'couple' friends, so this way you can include them and perhaps they could bring some 'free' agents along as well!

Where do you go to find single men? Not far ladies, not far.

angelaphilippsja@hotmail.com