Mixing Out Blog

Category: Tips & Advice

  • Halloween Survival Guide – Part One

    Scary_Halloween_pumpkins

    The end of October is probably best known for one of three things: beer gardens closing down, wearing shorts outdoors becoming less acceptable, and only 54 shopping days left until Christmas. However, for those of us with a child-like taste for the theatrics it’s also time for dusting off those pumpkins (ooh-err) and getting out your best fancy dress. Because October for most people under eleven means Halloween time!

    Love it or loath it, October 31st is creeping up like a deranged psychopath with a bloody knife. And that means you’ll either be standing outside in the cold, daubed in makeup and drinking with your mates… or inside, not daubed in makeup and drinking with your mates. So in the sprit of things – no pun intended – we’ve decided to put together this Halloween Survival Guide for all our MixingOut members who want to embrace the frightening festivities or shy away from them.

    Don’t fancy dressing up? No Worries!

    If dressing up like a “Zombie Nurse/Celebrity” really isn’t your idea of a good time, there’s still plenty of things you can do with friends this Halloween.

    1. Drinking Games, Horror Movie Style

    The premise of this activity is quite simple. Sit down with a bunch of friends in front of a classic horror movie and every time somebody onscreen does something stupid (i.e. goes back into the scary house, leaves an attacker supposedly unconscious without taking said attacker’s disarmed weapon, or splitting up into search parties) you take a drink. You’ll get hammered very quickly.

    2. Ouija Board Monopoly

    Ordinarily, we wouldn’t advocate the use of an Ouija board. But when you’re playing Monopoly, we can’t imagine any unexplainable mishaps, except maybe the odd hotel going missing. The same rules of traditional Monopoly apply except you get to rename all the locales, such as “Elm Street” and “Leicester Scare” – only not as lame as that.

    3. Friday Night Out

    The best thing about Halloween this year? October 31st falls on a Friday, so there’s no need to stay in! Even though there’ll be Halloween themed events going on near you, there’ll also be plenty of venues putting on alternative events if you’re not into that sort of thing. Perfect!

  • How to Save Your Social Life – The Best Way of Meeting New People

    Let’s get one thing straight. Sometimes it’s hard meeting new people and getting your social life back on track. We’re all so bogged down nowadays with commitments at work and home that it’s often difficult getting out there and having fun whenever we feel like it. If our friends aren’t busy with their families or partners, then it’s usually the excuse of “I can’t afford it this weekend, mate”. And money’s tight at the moment, so who can blame them?

    So in the interest of keeping things fresh, we’ve decided to put a quick survival guide to saving your social life.

    Make your social life a priority

    You might get slammed down with your responsibilities, but unless you break routine and enjoy yourself on a regular basis you’re going to end up resenting everything else. Not to mention it can be a huge exertion on your mental wellbeing. So long as you’re not neglecting your responsibilities altogether, there should be no reason for you not to put your own gratification first.

    Yes, yes, yes!

    The trick to having a great social life is spontaneity. Don’t be afraid of saying “yes” to an invitation or opportunity to try something different. Chances are you’ve gotten into the habit of turning invitations down and the more you do, the more you’ll have reservations about accepting them. Change your mindset and try not to think about those so-called “consequences” of breaking your comfy routine.

    Going out doesn’t cost the earth

    Okay, some activities are more expensive than others. But it isn’t as though going out needs to be a drain on your finances. There are tons of things you can do for free, it’s the company that counts, and plan to spread more costly get togethers when everybody can do it.

    Book on an event now!

  • The Over-thinker’s Guide to Dancing With New Friends

    You know the score: a few late night drinks with some new friends and somebody suggests you all hit a club. Before you know it, you’ve been coerced onto the dance floor, when all you really want to do is order one of those ludicrous pitchers filled with phosphorescent alcohol. Then from out of nowhere, one of those throwback eighties tracks booms over the loudspeaker – or worse, something superficially modern – and now you’ve got to strut your stuff.

    At first, it starts off fine; you’ve joined your friends in a safe little mini circle, and everybody’s laughing and joking as they put their arms around each other in some palsied rendition of the Hokey Cokey. You continue through your repertoire of dance moves – “Playing Snooker”, “Stacking the Shelves”, and the ever reliable “Hula Hoop Around the Neck” – when all of a sudden you can’t think of what to do anymore. Now you’ve got to think, quite literally, on your feet.

    So with that being said, here’s 3 over-thinker’s thoughts when it comes to finding yourself in that awkward dancing situation:

    1. “Maybe more drink will make my dancing better”

    Erm, absolutely. What could possibly go wrong?

    Carlton

    2. “I don’t think I’m moving my arms enough”

    Yep, if your dancing is lacking anything (other than choreography) it’s definitely arm moving. Pretend like you’re the girl at the beginning of Jaws. The more thrashing, the cooler you look.

    beyonce1

    3. “Should I break away from the group?”

    Quite a tough one, this. Straying from the safety of your mates is a bit like prancing off into no-man’s land. You could end up looking like a hero, or a complete and total t*t if you’re not careful. Remember, fortune favours only the brave.

    Brent

  • 3 Ways of Making Friends When You Were a Kid That Still Apply Today

    Making friends when you’re a kid is easy. Remember when you were six, and one minute you were best friends with somebody because they liked the same things as you – and by the end of the day you were best friends with somebody else because you both had the same coloured shoes. Ah yes, those were the days.

    Nowadays, it doesn’t always come so naturally. Over the years we’ve gotten a little more self-restrained, a little more self-conscious, and a lot less impulsive. In other words, we’re much too scared of saying or doing the wrong thing, out of fear of looking like an idiot in front of other people who would then reject our friendship. And it’s not reflective of some flaw in our personalities, or some innate inability to make friends; it’s just a part of growing up.

    With that in mind, shouldn’t we each take a leaf out of our six-year-old-selves and start living a little more… childishly. Or to put it another way, a little less seriously. So to show you what we mean, here’s 3 ways of making friends when you were young and how to translate them over to today:

    ‘Give me a crisp and I’ll be your friend’

    A classic example of playground trickery resulting in instant friendship. Of course, it was never about getting your greedy mitts on somebody else’s food, it was about getting somebody’s attention.

    These days, you can’t exactly go around asking potential mates for a swig of their pint or a bite of their lunch in exchange for your friendship (they’d think you were mad). But you can do the next best thing, making yourself known.

    Sharing your best felt tips

    Finding a coloured felt tip pen that hadn’t run dry was always the most challenging thing about class (that and making sure you’re colouring stayed within the lines). So it was always going to be instant BFF’s when somebody shared theirs with you.

    Hopefully by now you’ve learned to use a proper pen, but that shouldn’t stop you from attending to the needs of others, sharing what you have to offer in order to get to know somebody else a little better. In short, it’s your round at the bar.

    Inventing stuff 

    If you were a girl, it was probably daisy chains and rose-petal perfume. If you were a boy, it was probably something altogether different and involved new ways of making the girls cry.

    Either way, coming up with new and exciting things to do together can often form the basis of a longer lasting friendship. So the next time you’re out with a group of people, why not propose a future activity to experience for the first time together.

  • Meeting New People Is Fun – It’s Normal To Be Nervous

    Meeting new people can always feel a little intimidating at first, especially when you’re by yourself in a large group, without your usual circle of friends around you. And even though we do it almost all the time, perhaps at a party or in a club, nerves can still sometimes get the better us. It happens to everybody, even us social types.

    But you know what? That’s completely fine! Because every week, we see plenty of newbies attending their first events; most of them nervous about not knowing what to expect. But once they settle in, have a chat and drink, they soon loosen up and get into the swing of things. That’s because all our members are welcoming, friendly folk who know how to enjoy themselves and love to meet new people.

    Nerves-quote

    It’s all because of our users and event organisers that MixingOut has been such a success at finding fun, interesting people more and more exciting things to do together. And it’s because our members are so welcoming that everybody comes away from an event looking forward to the next one, and the next, and the one after that! 

    “When I first signed up with MixingOut, I’d arranged to go on a couple of get-togethers but I was so nervous, I backed out each time. Then one of my friends suggested she come along too. When we got there, I realised I had nothing to worry about. Everybody was so welcoming and friendly. We even left at separate times, I’d gotten so immersed into the whole thing.”

    Lucy Taylor, Leeds

    “Putting yourself into a room with a whole new group of people you’ve never met before can be a little daunting. Usually I go for a drink with friends from work, but quite often they’re too busy with family to really stay out late. I was very nervous about my first MixingOut event, but everybody made a real effort and by the end I was totally relaxed and having a good time. The drinks didn’t do any harm, either!”

    Cris Stringer, Woodhouse

  • 5 Types of New Friends Everyone Should Have

    Kind-of-friend

    We’ve all seen the movies; new friends and old friends heading off on a night out/to search for a dead body/to throw a ring into the fires of Mordor. There’s always one of every ‘type’ to help the hero on their way. But when it comes back to the real world – which types of friends should everybody have in their circle?

    1. Someone who is older and wiser than you – the guru

    For those of you who never grew up with an older sibling, having a friend that is older is an absolute must. Somebody to hand down their worldly pearls of wisdom. You know the kinds of things; somebody to show the ropes when it comes to relationships, culture and getting out of jury service.

    2. Somebody who is younger than you – the grasshopper

    As well as sponging advice and information, you also have a responsibility to dish it out to those who need it. If having mentor can improve your character, then having somebody to share your wisdom can do just the same.

    3. Somebody who isn’t afraid to say ‘yes’ – the fearless adventurer

    ‘Yes’ opens up a lot of avenues and opportunities. Having somebody around who isn’t afraid to try new things can do wonders for your social life. It gives you the support to experience the things you’ve always wanted but never had the courage to, as well as a few things you never even thought of.

    4. Somebody who knows when to say ‘no’ – the sensible one

    Even though ‘yes’ can be a good thing, it can also land you in hot water. It’s always good to have somebody around to keep you grounded, somebody there to remind you that you’ve got work in the morning, that maybe you’d better stick to water for the rest of the night – and that maybe you’re not ready to jump out of a plane just yet.

    5. Someone who is the polar opposite to you – the person who surprises you

    Instead of constantly surrounding yourself with people who are similar to you – with the same taste in clothes, music, films, hobbies, etc, it’s always good to branch out and meet new people you never even thought of being friends with. Limiting your circle of friends to a certain type might be a good way of doing the things you know you enjoy, but look elsewhere and you may just discover something new.

  • Why March is The Perfect Time to Get Out and Start Making New Friends

    We all enjoy going out and making new friends, and most of us would agree that we should be making more of an effort to do the things we enjoy. But more often than not, finding that motivation can sometimes elude us – especially after a busy week at work and other so-called ‘more important’ commitments.

    But what could be more important than having a good time? After all, that’s what life is all about. So to help get the ball rolling, we’ve drummed up three of the best reasons why now is the perfect time to start doing more with MixingOut. 

    Summer is just around the corner

    Okay, so it might not be ‘beer garden weather’ just yet, but the all signs point to summer creeping around the corner. Yep, the warm weather certainly brings out the best in people. And for those who really know how to enjoy themselves and like to try something new.

    No more excuses for staying in every night, sitting in front of TV and doing nothing. That was okay when it was still cold outside, but it won’t be long before the evenings start getting lighter and warmer for longer – that means more opportunities to meet up, make friends, and have some fun!

    We’re bigger than ever

    No, we’re not talking about that extra weight everybody put on over the winter – although this would be the perfect time to start getting out more and getting into shape for the summer. We meant that MixingOut has more members than before, over 1,000 at the moment, across Leeds, Derby, and Wakefield.

    That’s right, we’ve been super busy behind the scenes continuously growing our community and now more people are getting in touch through MixingOut.

    More events every week

    The MixingOut events board is buzzing right now. With so many new sign ups each week, more and more people are posting suggestions for events, hosting their own meet ups and joining on to other people’s get togethers.

    And that’s what makes MixingOut so exciting right now. If you’ve got a great idea for an event, or maybe something new that you’ve always wanted to try, just put it up on our Wish List and other people can help make it happen. See something your interested in? Then go and tag along! There’s always something for everybody.

     

  • Fun and Interesting Words (You Never Knew Existed) to Use When Meeting New People

    Have you ever been in that situation when meeting new people, where a word slips into the conversation, and you have absolutely no idea what it means. Staring vacantly, slowly nodding your head, you just go along with it, hoping you won’t get found out.

    So we thought we’d help switch things around a little, and give you the literary upper hand when it comes to one to one verbal combat (that’s another way of saying conversation).

    Here are just a few of our favourite words you probably never knew existed.

    Kitsukuroi (kin-tsu-ku-roi)

    This lovely little word comes from Japan and literally means: ‘to repair with liquid gold, and to understand that the piece is more beautiful for having been broken’.

    Probably not one to slip into casual conversation, but perfect for those deep, philosophical chats after one too many glasses of wine.

    Esoteric (ess-o-teric) 

    If something is purposely intended to be understood by a specific group of people only, then its esoteric.

    The best example of something being esoteric is a private joke between friends. So hopefully you’ll get the chance to share a few of these at your next MixingOut event.

    Belghard (bel-ghard)

    No, it’s not an otherworldly demon from Lord Of The Rings – although it certainly sounds like one – belghard derives from the Italian bel guardo (lovely look) and means a kind of loving look.

    So the next time you’re at a MixingOut event and you spot somebody giving you a belghard, you’ll know it might be worth your while to go over and say hello. Which leads us nicely on to…

    Duende (doo-en-day)

    Somebody who possesses duende has the ability to attract others through personal magnetism and charm. Which might come in handy when you’re on an event full of pretty ladies or good looking fellas.

    Bumfuzzle (bum-fuzzle)

    Quite simply, to perplex, confuse and fluster. Which is probably the very reaction you’ll receive the next time you tell somebody that you’re ‘completely bumfuzzled’.

  • Become an Event Organiser with Mixing Out – The Easiest Way to Meet New People

    With so many new members signing up to Mixing Out, there’s never been a better time to become an event organiser – it’s a great way to meet new people and kickstart your social calendar for the new year.

    So what does an event organiser actually do? Well, it’s really quite simple – you get to organise the kinds of events that interest YOU. And you’ll get to meet new and friendly people while you’re at it, it’s the perfect way of making new friends with similar interests, who want to share the same experiences as you do.

    Feel like organising a massive night on the town? How about a friendly drink at that new bar you’ve always wanted to go to? Or maybe you’ve got something a little more adventurous in mind… always wanted to go paint balling, or Go Karting? The best part of being an event organiser means you’re able to experience all the things you’ve dreamed, in the company of some really great people. And that’s how we think all things should be enjoyed.

    “I love going to the events and organising them. You get to meet so many different people and I’ve made friends with some great people within my first few events.

    It is such a relaxed atmosphere, there is no pressure and everyone is in the same shoes.

    Once you have been and even organised your first event it’s easy from there, so pluck up the courage and go for it, try it out because it’s really good and you won’t be able to wait for the next event once you’ve experienced your first!”

    Francy,

    Francy

    At the moment, we’re putting on events in Leeds, Wakefield, and Derby, so we’d love to invite anybody to come along and see how easy it is to organise your own event. Have a chat with our organisers and regular members, and find out for yourself just how much fun it can be. So long as you’re outgoing, up for a really good time and you know how to enjoy yourself, we think you’d make a perfect event organiser.

    To find out more on how to become an organiser and hosting your own social event, click here.

  • New Year, New Friends: 6 Resolutions to Keep Things Social

    It’s that time of year when we all vow to shed those pounds, meet new friends, get more out of life and generally swear to be an overall better person. That’s right, New Year signifies New Beginnings. We all come up with the regular resolutions for the upcoming year, no matter how unlikely we are to actually follow through. So what if you’ve promised yourself to visit a primitive island, help the locals build a Starbucks and rediscover yourself in the process? You’ll probably never do it.

    The key is to keep things simple. You can make some very easy changes that seem small, but add up to a great deal in the long run, especially when it comes to your social life. So with that being said, here’s a quick list of New Year’s resolutions that every person should consider:

    1. Put the smart phone away, especially in the company of others. It seems as though we’ve become so dependant on our second screens that we’ve forgotten the fundamentals of social etiquette. Would you start casually flipping through a magazine whilst somebody was trying to hold a conversation with you? No? Then leave the smart phone in your pocket.

    phoneaddiction_2249742b

    2. Plan something interesting with friends six months in advance. That way, if the next six months don’t pan out exactly as you’d hoped, you’ll still have something to look forward to.

    3. Make more of an effort to stay in touch with friends, other than texting and Facebook. Even if it’s just a short phone call once a week, or a catch up over a drink and a quick bite to eat, regular contact with your mates is so important – no matter how busy things get!

    Friends drink

    4. If there’s nothing on television, get yourself up off the sofa and meet up with friends instead. All too often we end up staying in and ogling the telly, even when we know there’s nothing worth watching. It’s a bad habit and it’s got to stop now!

    5. Find something you’ve always wanted to do and get a friend to do it with you. Whether you’ve always wanted to jump out of a plane, go paint balling, or join the gym, getting a friend to do the same will alleviate the anxiety of trying something new all by yourself. This way, you are far more likely to actually do it.

    6. Next time you’d rather stay at home when somebody asks to meet up, go against your instinct and meet up anyway. The best nights out are always unplanned and spontaneous. Trust us.