7 of the worst places to approach someone for a date

Of all life's slings and arrows, dating is an experience we share.

Whether swiping endlessly left and right on clinical-seeming online dating apps or actually - heaven forbid - dip your toe in the murky waters of actually meeting a relative stranger face to face and hoping against vain hope that you might have something in common.

Part of what makes dating so difficult is the plethora of different factors that one must take into account when trying to secure a simple drink with a fellow human being. Navigating those tempestuous waters, chock full as they are of snapping sharks and the dreaded flailing kracken in the forms of societal beauty standards and that most elusive of personality traits - tact - is a near impossible task. There are, however, certain things one can do to make the whole thing a little easier, and choosing an appropriate setting in which approach a potential partner is definitely one of them. Here are some places you should probably avoid.

1. A funeral

Whatever Will Ferrell's character in Wedding Crashers might tell you, approaching someone romantically at a day of mourning is really, really creepy. Some might say opportunistic. But not in a good way. Avoid.

2. The gym

I'm sure there will be some debate on this point, but approaching someone at the gym is just absurdly innapropriate. It's tantamount to confirming that you have been staring that them lustfully from over the top of the weight rack. Weird.

3. A busy train

There are so many problems with doing this. A packed commuter train is many things; sweaty, stifling, uncomfortable, like an iron lung; necessary, but awful. It is, therefore, one of the most innapopriate places imaginable to ask out a prospective partner. After all, if they say no, what are you going to do? Stand, sandwiched together, staring awkwardly into each other's eyes for the next 10 stops?

4. The local communal swimming pool

Because nothing says love like "I like your little Speedos", right?"

5. The beach

See point four.

6. Doctor's waiting room

Most people are not feeling their best while sitting in a doctor's waiting room, that's basically why they're there. That, coupled with the normal total silence in such places make this a poor choice.

7. At the pharmacy

I'd imagine that most people would rather keep what they buy at the pharmacy private. Grant them that courtesy.

While all of these might seem fairly obvious places to avoid to you, you discerning, thoughtful individual, I can guarantee you that occurrences such as these are happening every day.