Buzz
Have you ever crossed paths with someone, enjoyed a great conversation, and then left without exchanging contact information? This scenario happens more often than you'd think, and there are entire websites dedicated to helping people reconnect with these lost acquaintances. If you're trying to track down someone you met only once, there are several strategies you can use to locate them.
Steps
Using the Internet to Find the Person
Search for the person's name using a search engine. This is the simplest and most common method for finding someone online. Almost everyone has some form of online presence, whether through work, school, or social media. If you know their full name, start by entering it into a search engine.
- Don't forget to include any other details you remember from your conversation. Did they mention where they went to school? What job they have? Any organizations they belong to? Including these details in your search along with their name can greatly improve your chances of finding the person.
Look for the person on social media platforms. Social media is widely used, and there’s a good chance that the person you’re trying to find has an account on at least one of the major social networks. These profiles may pop up in an internet search, but if they don’t, try directly searching on the social media sites.
- Focus on major social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Check the "Missed Connections" section on Craigslist. Craigslist has a specific section under its "Personals" category called "Missed Connections" for people trying to reconnect. You can post an ad seeking the person you met or search to see if they might be looking for you as well.
Try websites focused on helping you find someone. Certain websites are specifically designed to help people reconnect. These sites work similarly to personal ads on Craigslist: users post messages, and visitors can browse them. You can also search these sites to see if the person you’re looking for is trying to find you.
- It’s a good idea to check and post on several different sites to boost your chances.
- Two of the most popular websites for this are isawyou.com and blewmychance.com.
Update your search periodically. Because online posts can get buried quickly, it may be helpful to post new messages now and then. Moreover, people continuously make new social connections, so just because the person doesn’t have mutual friends at the moment doesn’t mean they won’t in the future. Keep trying and refresh your search every so often.
Searching for the Person Offline
Return to the place where you met. If your encounter took place at a specific restaurant, park, coffee shop, or on public transportation, there's a chance the person you're searching for frequents that location. Incorporate this spot into your regular routine, and you might bump into them again.
- Try to visit the place around the same time you first met. If this is part of the person’s usual schedule, they’re likely to visit at similar times.
Talk to the staff at the location where you met. If the person is a regular at this location, the staff may recognize them. Inquire with the workers to see if anyone knows who they are. If one of them does, you can ask if they’re willing to provide contact details. However, if they are hesitant to share, simply ask if they can pass your contact information to the person you’re looking for.
Post a description of your encounter in local newspapers. Local newspapers often feature personal ads where people can share stories like this one. If the person you’re searching for reads that newspaper, they will have an easy way to contact you.
- As with online ads, try posting in as many newspapers as possible. You won’t know which one they read regularly, so posting multiple ads boosts your chances of reaching them.
Warnings
- If you get the sense from your initial encounter that the person isn’t interested in reconnecting, it’s best to stop your search. If your attempts to find them are not welcomed, it could make them uncomfortable.
- If you succeed in finding the person but they express discomfort with your efforts, respect their wishes to cease contact and discontinue your attempts.
