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From YourTango

Are you longing to meet someone with common interests? Do you enjoy traveling? Are you looking to advance your career? Now you can bundle all three by attending one of the top conferences held around the country. Conferences are the hottest trend not only for career and personal development, but also for meeting singles!

Are you surprised? So was I when I read this article in The New York Times. As a dating coach for women over 40, I think this is one of the hottest ideas I’ve heard in a while to meet quality singles. These events attract people with entrepreneurial spirit who are into the cutting edge of what’s going on in the world and who are concerned about improving situations. What are some other reasons why conferences are a great place to meet singles?

1. You can travel solo without feeling uncomfortable. Many conferences have plenty of non-conference activities specifically designed to help you meet and mingle with other attendees. Not to mention, popular host cities like Austin, Aspen, San Francisco and New York City make wonderful travel destinations.

Read more at YourTango.com.

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From YourTango

My name is Liz Newman, and I love my dog like a human being; if we’re being totally honest, I actually love him more than most human beings. Ok, pretty much all human beings. Fine, I’d jump in front of the bus from Speed (so long as it didn’t plummet below 55mph!) for my dog, ok? There! I said it. (This is the part where you all say in unison: “Hi Liz”, and try not to judge me).

But wait! You can’t judge me, because according to a recent study by AVMA’s U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook, singles are much more likely to identify pets as members of the family, rather than merely companions or property. This certainly applies to me as, like countless others, I’ve been burned by boyfriends, and managed to move on without overly dipping my pen in the crazy ink. But try and take my dog away? I’ll cut you.

In fact, to further reiterate that AVMA’s latest discoveries are totally founded, I, a single girl living in New York — and whose heart beats for a 7lb maltese (damn right, I fit the profile!) — am going to break down the top three findings with a corresponding, completely factual tail — I mean — tale.

1. Pet ownership among single people increased from 46.9% in 2006 to 54.7% in 2011.

It’s hardly a secret, pets inherently know only one way to love: unconditionally. I actually, and quite accidentally, acquired Joe (said 7b maltese) after a major breakup. I wasn’t even thinking about getting a dog, but he came into my life and was an instant healer; it was remarkable. This little guy is so overly excited when I return home he physically cannot stop running circles for a solid 30 minutes, unless it’s to shower me in nonstop affection. “Oh please, my boyfriend did that all the time,” said no one ever.

Red more on YourTango.com.

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Dorothy Gambrell recently organized a fascinating infographic map for Psychology Today, which revealed the top places where men are less likely to approach women whom they find to be attractive. Nationwide, out of all of the places where women are told are great places to meet eligible men, the guys are falling head-over-heels for the beautiful strangers they encounter in Walmart of all places. Check out some of the other popular locations.

Florida: According to the graph, Walmart was shown to be the location where the highest percentage of missed love connections were reported.

New York: It was revealed that the subway was the most frequently cited location of missed love connections in the city that never sleeps.

California: The most popular missed connection hot spot in California is reported to be 24 hour fitness centers.

Chicago: Similar to New Yorkers, Chicagoans also reported to be missing connections on trains.

Georgia: Interestingly, the most frequent place where love connections are being missed is in passing cars.

Washington: Washington residents are missing connections on buses.

Texas: Walmart was shown to be the missed connection hot spot among Texans

Virginia: Virginia’s most popular location for missed connections was found to be the gym.

South Carolina: SC residents fail to make connections most frequently at football games.

Louisiana: Walmart is a frequent location for missed connections in Louisiana as well.

The graph also showed that Washington state has the highest number of women seeking men or other women, in addition to breaking down popular missed connection spots by age. 20 – 29-year-olds are missing one another in ice cream shops, 30 – 39-year-olds are missing out in bars and 40 – 49-year-olds are suprisingly missing one another at strip clubs and adult bookstores.

Didn’t see your state listed? Check out the graph below.

Source: Go.Galegroup.com

blackloveandmarriage.com

Getting over a breakup is never an easy thing, especially if you were the one who was dumped. We may tell ourselves that we’re over him, that we’re better off and that he’ll never find another woman who loves him like we do – but deep down inside, we miss him. We might even want him back. These feelings fresh off a breakup are perfectly normal, and it’s okay to admit that we’re not over him just yet.

But if months and years go by and your feelings are still a little fuzzy, here are a few ways you can tell if you’re still in love with your ex…

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So much for getting to know someone first. Results of the same Match.com survey that found more single Americans are interested in love over marriage, also showed singles are quick to jump into bed on the first night.

In all, 55 percent of singles reported having sex on a first date—66 percent of men and 44 percent of women. Sex therapist Laura Berman thinks the increase in online dating—21 percent of the respondents met the last person they dated online—and flirting on social media sites has a lot to do with this stat. She says all of the e-interaction makes people feel like they already know someone by the time they get to the actual first date so it’s not the same as a one-night stand or first-date hookup.

“It’s almost as if by the time they’ve had the first physical date, it might have been the equivalent of three dates,” she says. “I think this online sharing has definitely escalated some of this familiarity and quickness in which people get into sexual scenarios.”

Nearly a quarter of respondents said they typically have sex after one, two or three dates; 25 percent said “when the other person is ready,” and 19 percent said “when we agree to an exclusive relationship.” Another 13 percent said “when we are married.”

Overall, 58 percent of singles have had a one-night stand—65 percent of men and 51 percent of women—so giving it up early is definitely becoming a lot less taboo.

Are you down for sex on the first date or do you usually make him wait?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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It seems by now almost everyone has dabbled in online dating. After all, with social networking at an all time high, it’s one of the fastest, easiest and most recession proof ways to meet someone nowadays. If you’re disengaged from the club scene, tired of trying to get your flirt on at the gym and not running into Mr. Right in the produce section of your local market, then online dating may be for you.

But there ARE some guidelines to consider when looking to get virtually booed up, so here are some tips to online dating…

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Are you single and hate the holidays because it’s a reminder of your relationship status? Well snap out of it! Sure, it’s amazing to be in a great relationship, but you shouldn’t miss out on the joy of this holiday season because you’re stressing over not having a significant other.

Have you heard the expression “Single people want to be married, and married people want to be single?” That’s because being single can be just as much as fun as being in a relationship, sometimes even more fun. And being single around the holidays gives you the great opportunity to totally indulge in yourself, friends, and family.

So, if you’re single, stop sulking and start planning to make this one of your best and most memorable holidays.  Here are a few fabulous ways for you to enjoy the holidays!

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It used to be that every woman could find her match. You found the man of your dreams, got married, and lived happily ever. Sounds simple! Yet, those fairytales are only found in the storybooks now since more and more black relationships have dwindled over the past 50 years. It’s one of the most talked about issues in the black community, and many theories swirl as to why it’s hard for women to find companionship. If we analyze the truth, a ratio of 100 black women for every 87 black men doesn’t sound remotely scarce. But out of those 87, if there are a shortage of marriageable black men versus those who are cheaters, on the down low or incarcerated, then it makes perfect sense! But is that the sole reason we can’t find true love? There could be other alternatives. Maybe these reasons (below) stem from why you’re still single? You tell us!

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Ebony’s hot July issue features Hot singles including our favorite scantily clad pitchman: The Old Spice guy, Isaiah Mustafa.

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