The Library
Starting with an obvious one and the first iteration of this TikTok trend, you can always look confused in the Uni libraries. Honestly, this one probably wouldn’t even be put on; I just look confused whenever I’m trying to study.
Sigh loudly enough at the weekly reading, and you might just get a little extra help from the cute girl in the Marshall headphones. This one honesty works! Have you seen how many of The Tab’s Matchmaking Monday entries are just love letters to unknowing students in the Phil Rob?
Honourable mention goes out to have a smoke break through tears at the Phil Rob benches. Great place to offload your stress onto your study crush and make sure they avoid you forever.
Jesmond Charity Shop Strip
If the studious type isn’t for you, how about looking puzzled in the grandpa knit section of the charity shop? Home to Newcastle’s most fashionable, surely you can catch a fluffy-haired vinted warrior in their natural habitat. If you can get them to look up from the racks, that is…
Approach these spots with caution, don’t want them to mistake you for a rival reseller and start a territory war at the shoe bins.
An Indie Ouseburn Gig
Or what about one of the thousands of intimate gig spaces down in Ouseburn? Twinkling lights and bars under bridges, maybe you’ll lock eyes with the lead singer. Your own John Q. Or maybe you’ll settle for the guy talking loudly over the band about how he recently ‘discovered’ A Tribe Called Quest. Don’t let me stop you, times are tough…
I’ve actually seen a lot of people hit it off on Ouseburn pub crawls! There’s something about the artsy bars and anticipation of seeing Sam Fender that helps sparks light. If your wallet can take £6 pints, give it a go.
The Engineering School
Oh, come on, we were all thinking it, right?! Don’t tell me you’ve never walked a little slower past the Stephenson Building or taken the long route past the Merz. The person who can pay for your business class flight to Dubai is almost definitely roaming those halls in a quarter zip right now.
Honestly, I respect the practicality of this pick. You know the good life is for you, and you’re not afraid to chase it. Maybe you’ll be on #ihatemybf in a few years time, but at least you’ll have a Coach bag.
If looking ditsy in any of these spots actually works for you, just know that you owe this writer a wedding invitation!
