What do I do if I see someone I know at a swing event?

Question: I have a very high profile position in my company.  My partner and I belong to several swing websites, but we don’t have face pictures posted.  We have tried to meet people one couple at a time, but we don’t have the chance to get out very often due to our jobs and our family.  Frankly, it’s been a disappointment.  We want to go to a social so we can meet several couples at once and see who we click with, but we are worried that we might run into someone we know.  How do we handle this?

Answer: Some people are very concerned about being ‘outed.’  Others just don’t care.

Obviously, you are in the first group, and your concern is real.  After all, there are some things our parents, children, bosses, customers, etc., just don’t have a need to know about.

So what do you do?  The answer is different for every person, for every couple. 

You can continue to limit yourself to meeting people one at a time, but this is still no guarantee of privacy.  You’ve also found out that it is much more time consuming: If you have one Saturday night a month, that’s twelve couples, at best, per year.  You may have to meet that many – or more – in order to find one you click with.  You’ll meet more couples at one social than you would one at a time for a whole year!  Besides, you’ll also miss out on the fun.  Even if you don’t hook up at a social, it’s an awesome party.  Most also have a newcomer’s orientation so you can talk with other couples who have the same questions you do.

Some couples attend swing functions outside of their local area.  However, this is no guarantee that you won’t run into someone you already know – they might be trying to do the same thing! 

The bottom line is this: To meet people, you have to meet people.  Talk it over with your partner and see where your comfort level is.  Decide whether to put your toe in the water and check it out.  If you decide to attend, and see someone you know, walk up to them with a big smile and say, “Hello!  It’s so good to see you here!”  The swing lifestyle is growing at such a phenomenal rate, there is a good chance they will smile back and say, “You, too!”