I am tottering my way down two flights of grimy stairs to a basement curry restaurant ¡ª the kind of place that only promises a good time if you¡¯re already five drinks in.

¡°Table one,¡± I tell the staff. They mutter among themselves and seat me at a table for one.

It¡¯s quite a funny mix-up given that I¡¯m on a mission to connect with other people. Fortunately, the confusion is quickly resolved, and I find myself seated at a table of complete strangers, entirely as intended.