Business Trip Romance?

by NoGamesLove Dating Coach Laurel House
You can meet Mr. Right on your next business trip with these simple changes…

Un-boring your meeting.
Un-boring your meeting.

Get more out of your business trip than a new deal, client, customer, or exposure. How about a relationship? You can multitask your business trips by getting out of your box and trying something (and maybe someone) new.

When you are on a business trip, you are "on"- you are strong and focused and confident. Take advantage of that power but add the element that often comes when on vacation- being open to new things, having a sense of adventure, being less rigid and more physically and emotionally relaxed. The fact is that when you are on vacation you are more apt to talk to strangers, ask questions, be inquisitive, get out of your box, even try things that would normally make you a little uncomfortable.


The combined business and vacation mentality is perfect when looking for a potential partner. Here are a few tips to help take full advantage of the opportunity.

1. Change Your Environment

Instead of staying at the same hotel in the same neighborhood that you have been to so many times it almost feels like home, explore a little. Open yourself to a new area, a new hotel with a different energy- one that reflects your more relaxed attitude this time. Instead of your average big cookie cutter hotel chain, stay at a cool and edgy boutique hotel where you are more likely to meet interesting and dynamic people. If you are on a business trip to NY, stay at the Jade Hotel in Greenwich. It's in the center of a fantastic area, the rooms are cozy but cool- some even have balconies and gigantic bathrooms with huge Jacuzzi tubs. The restaurant and bar is constantly filled with other guests and locals who are just like you- single, awesome, and interested in striking up a conversation and sharing a drink.


Not into the bar scene? The lobby is a super cool environment and perfect to sip a martini or have a few small bites as you sit back and take it all in, of course you should be making casual eye contact and smiling at the other guests, because you never know who might walk in and catch your fancy…

2. Go to Different Restaurants

Pizza and Popsicles
Pizza and Popsicles

Forget the bar where everyone knows your name. Instead check out the ChefsFeed app for interesting cheffy favorites that are walking distance from your hotel so you can not only have a great meal, but maybe meet some interesting people too. Or find the best local pizza place and talk to the locals. Sometimes the best food is found in those random little local haunts that you would have never found had you not asked. Take this opportunity to ask questions- and not just to the concierge at your hotel. Talk to people on the street who seem like they know a thing or two about food. If you happen to find a farmer's market, ask the local shoppers. If you stumble into a super foodie shop, ask the customers. And please drop the diet while you are on vacation. You can still eat in moderation and expand your palette.

3. Go on a Local Walking Tour

One of the best ways to get to know a new area of the city is on a walking tour. My favorites are foodie tours! One amazing dessert tour is Sugartooth Tours- neighborhood walking tours where you learn about the city's interesting culinary history while trying some of the best sweets in the Big Apple. From artisanal handcrafted chocolates, traditional American pies, the best cookie in NYC, homemade fudge, frozen custard, the best Greek pastries… thank goodness you're walking is all I can say! Plus, with tours ranging from 2-16 guests, it's yet another opportunity to meet someone new or schedule a private tour with a date. Even more than that, it's a great way to have even more conversation topics to bring up, expanding your local knowledge and creating yet another layer of interesting to you.

4. Be Open to Talking to People

Stop being so uptight all the time. Look around. Make eye contact, smile, flirt, be present and available. It's about attitude.

5. Get a Massage

If you are having a hard time being open, get a massage. If you are holding onto old toxic relationships that aren't allowing you to move forward, focus on detoxing. Release the stress from your day of meetings so you can go out and have a little fun. Mandarin Oriental's Signature Spa Therapies Massage is my ideal spa treatment because it is a 1hr 50minute treatment that is customized to address your specific needs. It starts with a foot treatment as you are consulting with your therapist about what aromatherapies will best suit your needs of the moment- relaxing, detoxing, revitalizing, grounding, or balancing. Then you're on the table and transformed from a manic mess to a state of total bliss. To enhance the results, you are handed a nutrition and exercise guide specific to your body's needs.

6. Workout!

Westside Highway
Westside Highway

Instead of going to the gym, or walking around Central Park, what about taking a run, bike ride, or walk along the Westside Highway? Do something that's different than you would normally do. Even simply exploring the city is a workout! Walk to dinner and enjoy the stroll home (just remember to carry comfortable shoes in your bag).

Do what the locals do, not always what the tourists or business people do! This doesn't just have to be a business trip. Expand it's potential, allow it to serve as a dating net-widening opportunity to meet more people and you just might find your soul mate on our next business trip.

xx
Laurel

Laurel House is an international Dating Coach and Lifestyle Expert,MTV's MADE "It Girl"Mentor, 4x published Lifestyle Author, and a go-to Expert on E! News. She recently sold her 5th book "Screwing The Rules: The No-Games Guide to Love," which will be released in December 2014 with Running Press.

With over 12 million views on YouTube, Laurel has created a platform to deliver dating and healthy lifestyle tips to the masses. Laurel is a Dating With Dignity dating coach. Her tips also appear on CupidsPulse.com, YourTango.com, SheKnows, and FabFitFun.com. Because of her edgy, honest, and wide-ranging advice, she is often referred to as the modern-day Ann Landers.