It only feels like yesterday that you were dodging family questions about your dating life over the holiday period and now Valentine’s Day is looming. Yes, it’s commercial bullshit. Yes, you can be grateful not to be spending Sundays with in-laws, or washing your partner’s pants. But however much you rationalise, it’s hard not to internalise the fabricated pressure. It can be rough being single in Switzerland’s sleepy winter months.
So, is an entire Saturday night to be avoided or commemorated? Bars and clubs in Le Flon will be packed. Hosting a “Palentine’s” can be fun, as can falling asleep on the sofa in front of the TV, takeaway in hand, with no one to judge you. Just please, please resist reigniting your former situationship by sliding into their inbox. I’m telling you. If you must do something with your thumbs, swipe frantically right until you secure another date instead.
Fortunately (or unfortunately), in Lausanne, it’s not that difficult to bump into people and make new connections. You can fall directly into someone’s arms off a table at The Great Escape. Or you can fake mild interest in an obscure hobby, because you can guarantee there’ll be a club for it. Why not try your hand at curling or pickleball. Inside knowledge has proved that things can get wild at pétanque.
What’s perhaps more tricky is finding someone who is on the same page. People arrive in Switzerland with fixed-term contracts and no intention to stay. The universities which make our town so vibrant also mean that the nightlife is geared towards a younger crowd. If you’ve always dreamed of being a Sugar Daddy, now is your time. But again, it might mean the person you share your sheets with does not share your headspace.
Never mind. The likelihood is that if you’re single, there’s an abundance of love in your life already. It’s just that society places an over-emphasis on romantic love and less-emphasis on the total freedom that comes with solitude. I look forward to receiving a card from my grandma on the 14th. And I look forward to reminding anyone in a relationship that my night (or day) time escapades are not for their, or their partner’s entertainment. Yes, things are a little calmer here in winter. But additional pressure or pity around anyone’s dating life is strictly unnecessary.
If you’re single in Lausanne, or in fact anywhere, you’re doing just fine.
Off-app ideas on where to meet people in Lausanne, as friends or more
- The climbing wall
It doesn’t matter if you’ve never tried it before. Cling on to a bouldering wall for dear life and look mildly terrified and you can guarantee someone will try and guide you out of your mishap. Bonus points if they’re cute.
lecube.ch
grimper.ch - Get some altitude
The best winter parties in Switzerland happen at altitude. Alternatively, you can always corner someone on a chair lift. No car? No problem. There are plenty of resorts accessible by train from Lausanne.
The Lausanne Guide has you covered. - Running clubs
If you are that way inclined, there are tonnes of running clubs in Lausanne with enough people who hate running and just want to hook up. Bring your tightest activewear.
@lausannerunclub @runandgroove @notarunner.club @morgesrunclub @vevey.run.club - Language exchange
“Je ne parle pas français,” can no longer be your excuse. The Lausanne Language exchange meet every Tuesday and Thursday to practice French, English, Spanish, German, Italian and whatever other vowels you can get your tongue around, depending on who shows up. - Go Social
The language exchanges are run by a group called Go Social, who also organise other events from games nights to ski trips to parties. Geared towards socialising with new people and an expat crowd.
@gosocial_ch
Vanessa Tracey is a contributing writer for The Lausanne Guide. You can also read and sign up to her Substack.
