As the air in Hanover grows numbingly cold and you begin to feel that if you leave your bed the universe will implode, it's easy to become a hermit. You can have deep conversations on BlitzMail while you look at tagged pictures of your friends without ever having to put on shoes. But, in order to avoid utter social suicide, it's important to trade Facebook for facetime at least once a day. Where can you get in and get out with minimal effort and maximum socializing? Here is your guide to some of the optimum facetime locales; some may be obvious, some may be ridiculous, but they will all get you seen.
Food Court
The most surefire way to stalk and be stalked, the "FoCo Runway" is a veritable playground of awkward glances and subtle struts. Who cares that it's the most roundabout way of getting to the trays? Though it may seem uncreative, it always works, especially at dinner time, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Abigail Alexander '10 said the best bet would be "at 7:45-ish." Although, take note: the handsome gentlemen of the swim team eat between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The Green
Though it's definitely not the wisest hangout place in the dead of winter, on sunny days, the Green is packed with students who want some quality facetime with their tans. Walk across to see; stay put to be seen. But be careful about where you set up camp, as certain spots are more conducive to socializing than others. Brielle Leonard '10 recommended the patches "near the Hop or right in front of Robo." But no matter where you sit, make sure to take advantage of those rare warm days in the middle of November. Thank you, global warming.
Robo
Sitting on the steps of Robinson Hall, you can still hear the faint ringing of the Salty Dog Rag and envision your frightened freshman face as you pondered the oddities of H-Croo. So, what better place to chill and relish your smooth transition into the art of Dartmouth networking? Also, if you're seeking out that crunchy former trip leader of yours, there's no better place.
Collis
The great thing about Collis is that you have as many socializing opportunities inside as you do outside. Inside, "the stereotype is that healthier people go to Collis, so I don't really go there ever," Leonard said. If you'd prefer to avoid the salad-eaters, then people-watch on the porch. While Collis porch is often considered an optimum facetime destination, it's the tables to the left that grant the best results. "You can see who's going into Food Court and all the traffic," Casey O'Connor '10 said.
Novack
Probably second to Food Court in yielding facetime results, Novack is an extremely effective location for not only seeing old friends but for making new ones. "You see a lot of crushes in Novack ... you also make a lot of random Novack friends," Alexander said. Joseph Hanley '08 was particularly emphatic about Novack's success rate, and recommended sitting along the glass wall between "9 p.m. and 4 a.m." and looking particularly productive. "The more books you have piled up, the more facetime you get," he said. The great thing about Novack is that you can be completely immersed in your work while still reminding the Dartmouth student body that you are alive. "I sit in Novack to see people, but more importantly for people to see me," Hanley said.
The Hop
While improv shows and Sheba performances are always popular venues for socializing, the Hop provides multiple media for facetime. In the beginning of the year, freshman activities have large non-freshman audiences; who doesn't want to crash the hypnotist show? The back of the Hop may be quiet, but O'Connor said it's a "good place for the people you actually do wanna see." Other prime locations within the Hop: Courtyard
Caf for hungry athletes and artsy kids, Hinman boxes, and the infamously overpopulated Blitz station.
Sporting Events
Sure, it's believable that the students of Dartmouth are just going to games to selflessly cheer on their classmates. But don't lie; you get something out of it too. Though you have to work extra hard at sporting events to actually see -- awkward squints are uncomfortable, but they do the trick -- they're one of the best places to get in quality facetime, since there are so many faces surrounding you. This is particularly true for men's hockey and football. Most hockey games are usually packed with frozen students trying to make as brief and effective appearances as possible. "If you go to a hockey game, you just see all the hockey players' girlfriends," Alexander said.
Wheelock Books
You'd never see it coming, but Wheelock Books is a surprising hotspot for social interaction. At the start of each term, frantic students can be found hustling around the shelves, trying to navigate their way around the intimidating textbooks. What better way to break up the monotony than to run into a friend? Or to awkwardly bump into that strapping young lad from last night? Furthermore, Wheelock has a certain claustrophobic advantage over the Dartmouth Bookstore, so forgo your Starbucks and hit up that oddly-shaped bookstore in the sky.
West Lebanon Liquor Store
To all of the underage readers: earmuffs! Now, if you're dedicated to finding a Greek house social chair, look no further. "You run into people all the time there," Hanley, who is a frequent shopper on behalf of Sig Ep, said.
North Mass Porch
While there are always very old people sitting on the porch of The Hanover Inn, there are always eager young people sitting on the porch of North Mass. But be careful, they're watching you. "I live in North Mass and sit out there and watch people pass sketchily," Alexander said. "Attract attentions of the ones you want and just watch the others. So it's more of a 'see,' not 'to be seen' at night."
Dartmouth Hall
Though many struggling freshmen may bemoan the perpetually locked main doors to Dartmouth Hall, they should really appreciate the happy accident that now they can get extra facetime in the packed cluster of students trying to get to their classes. But sometimes the serendipity of Dartmouth Hall run-ins are not so pleasant: "I once randomly ran into a huge crush of mine when I got lost on the third floor of Dartmouth Hall," Alexander said, when she was not looking her best. It's sad but true: at the moment you do not want anyone to see you, that's when you'll probably get the most facetime. Wear a hat and keep your eyes peeled.
