I am tottering my way down two flights of grimy stairs to a basement curry restaurant — 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.