One thing I noticed about the dating scene in Independence, Missouri is that the majority of singles activities are country-related. In fact, the biggest local on-line dating service is Country.Com, so that lets you know right away that you're dealing with a square-dancing-in-the-barn kind of community. And there's nothing wrong with that. Country girls have always been known for their spontaneous, passionate character. I'm sure an Independence girl is no different. I'm sure a date Independence in this kind of environment is worth remembering.

Of course the other half of me worries that because Springfield is so well known for Harry S. Truman, that's it's kind of a conservative community. You know Harry S. Truman met his wife-to-be when he was 6 years old. The happy couple was married for 53 years or so. I don't know what that says about a date independence other than there probably isn't a lot of mate swapping and swinging going on.

But getting back to Country.Com's list of Springfield singles activities, most months there seem to be at 2 or 3 activities going on. That mean on any given month a person has about 90 activities to choose from in order to get a date Independence. Then when you count more modern methods of singles dating like speed dating or super speed dating, the odds greatly improve that a date Independence is something you can find with relative ease. These monthly lists are updated...well...monthly. So Independence singles have a steady stream of action (hopefully) to draw upon. And don't forget night clubs, comedy clubs, dinner theatres, and amusement parks. Not really locations for singles per se, but these fringe areas might provide opportunities to meet singles.

Speaking of which, the same on-line dating community that brought you speed-dating and super-speed dating, has another trick up its sleeve that should appeal to an independence women's need for date independence: pre-speed dating or pre-dating. As high-tech as it sounds it's really just a matter of a dating agency screening it's applicants and trying to find matches based on common areas of interest. Then when the agency organizes a speed dating event, it knows that the chances for its member's success are increased thanks to extensive pre-screening.

Who knows for sure how successful this type of thing is. But if it's increases an independence women's chances of getting a date, then it's time well spent. It's also encouraging to know that those independence girls aren't the only ones vying for a night out. An on-line web search revealed that Independence has on-line sites for single gays and lesbians, Catholics and Jews, fishermen and hunters,  bi's and tri's and whatever other category hasn't been touched upon. Independence may be Missouri's third largest city but it sure goes a long way to ensure all its bases are covered.

I think Harry S. Truman would be proud. Not only was his city the place where he walked the streets at night and enjoyed this city that is "great for raising a family", but he would be proud of the diversity of the Independence.