The way your parents tell it, picking up a partner back in the day was easy: all guys had to do was show up at a dance and peruse the wallflowers, while girls responded by coquettishly fluttering their synthetic lashes.

Today, singles are everywhere, yet somehow harder to find — it’s a much bolder step to invite someone on a date than to ask for a dance. In the spirit of returning to an age when romance was easy, we’ve scoured the GTA for dating events that take the pressure off.

Intro to indoor rock climbing
Held by Meet Market Adventures at Joe Rockheads Climbing Gym, 29 Fraser. Feb 10, 10:30am. $59.99. 416-203-3434. www.meetmarket
adventures.com.
With lesson, equipment, day pass and professional instruction included, this is a fun way to meet new people, without the pressure of having to provide scintillating conversation. Plus, if your date turns out to be a dud, you can always turn your affections toward your instructor!
Best for: Enhancing the male anatomy. (Strap yourself in tight!)
Worst for: Vertigo sufferers.
Likely to find: A man with suspiciously large forearms.

Cooking for a mate
Dinner Works, held at a private residence in the Yonge and Eglinton area. Feb 7, 7pm. $93.45 (includes cooking class, four-course meal and wine). 416-483-1312. www.dinnerworks.ca.
Have fun, socialize and save money on future dinner dates by learning to cook. Everybody knows the way to a person’s heart is through his or her stomach, so get on the express lane with Chef Susan Kates, who founded Dinner Works originally as a cookery school for singles.
Best for: Feeders.
Worst for: Fussy/unadventurous eaters.
Likely to find: A “giver.”

Speed dating and other ice-breakers
Fastlife’s V-Day Mix and Mingle Party. Lobby, 192 Bloor W. Feb 14, 7pm. $25 or two for $40 in advance, $35 door. 1-800-406-0832. www.fastlife.ca.
With V-day looming, what better time to be reminded of speed dating and other matchmaking events? If regular speed dating isn’t enough for you, Fastlife is talking about an upcoming Guinness World Record attempt at the largest speed date in the world; regular specialized events (like the “toyboy” event for aspiring Mrs. Robinsons, happening March 4); and a Valentine’s Mix and Mingle Party.
Best for: People with a short attention span.
Worst for: Those of an indecisive nature.
Likely to find: Just about anybody.

Museum magic
Connecting Singles (next lecture topic: “The Generation Trap”). Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park. $65 general public, $60 if purchased online. Feb 29, 6.30-9:30pm. 416-586-5797. www.rom.on.ca/programmes.
Holding regular singles’ events under the guise of “lectures,” the ROM provides 30- to 45-minute talks along with a complimentary drink and game, giving singles an opportunity to meet and chat at their leisure.
Best for: Culture vultures.
Worst for: Bimbos.
Likely to find: Slightly dishevelled intellectual types.

Billiards with The Tall Club of Toronto
Held at Chalkers, 247 Marlee. First Friday of every month, 7pm. Yearly membership $20. www.tallclub.com.
Originating from a mutual frustration with the problems facing the vertically blessed, the Tall Club has evolved into a social group producing many happy partnerships. These relationships could be attributed to shared perspectives on life but we suspect these folks are just glad to find a partner who won’t ask, “How’s the weather up there?” To join, men must be at least 6’2” and women must be at least 5’10”.
Best for: Isn’t it obvious?
Worst for: Petites.
Likely to find: Basketball players.