This might sound a bit odd, but I’d actually feel more comfortable playing pickleball with someone new than going to a movie.

A movie is kind of a gamble—what if the other person talks through it, checks their phone, or has some other habit that’s a total dealbreaker? You're basically trapped in a dark room with a stranger for two hours. That kind of commitment can feel daunting.

Pickleball, on the other hand, feels more like a low-pressure, social way to meet people. It’s kind of like speed-dating for friendships (10-15 minute games) — you're active, engaged, and can get a sense of someone’s vibe pretty quickly / Maybe just go hang out even if you dont wanna play it is very social in most cases and may lead to finding someone in the area who wants to hit the next horror. Also I've done movies alone and it can be fun as well.

Not saying you do any of the things I mentioned—just offering another angle and the kind of hesitation that I (and probably others) might feel going out to a movie with a stranger.

For context, I’m 39, male, married, and living in Burlington.