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Don’t spend all your time at work. If you remember jobs you’ve known and left, you’ll realise few colleagues turn out to be lasting friends.

Do participate in hobbies, interests or charities outside work, which you enjoy. Miserable do-gooders destroy the world, but if you enjoy it you’ll do it and make friends for life.

Don’t see everyone of the opposite sex as a potential partner. One whiff of neediness and we all start running.

Do make friends of both sexes. It gives you male/female input and stops you feeling needy.

Don’t feel envious of couples.

Do go to concerts, church, the theatre or the cinema alone if friends aren’t free; if you want to attend. You will enjoy yourself and you can still share the experience next time you all meet up.

Don’t be defensive or act as though you have to be the life and soul of the party to compensate for there being only one of you.

Do be yourself, warts and all. You may end up defensive or the life and soul of the party but you’ll be you, and that’s different!

Don’t get sucked in to relationship problems of any friend of the opposite sex. It’s rung one of ‘my wife or husband doesn’t understand me.’

Do encourage your married or partnered friends to enjoy and pursue their own interests – it will enhance their relationship in the long run even if their partner sees you as a ‘bad influence.’

Don’t let partnered friends patronize you and don’t feel sad or bad about those who never invite you to dinner or their parties unless you can rustle up a partner.

Do attend parties and dinners as a single without feeling you have to find an escort. You are a valid member of the human race in your own right whatever society dictates.

Don’t accept a date just because you are feeling lonely. You owe it to them as well as yourself to go for the right reasons.

Do go on dates and outings with people you like or fancy of all ages, because you can!

Don’t become a whinger or you will be lonely and serve you right.

Do see the funny side and laugh as much as you can. You’ll realise you don’t actually need another person to make you happy.