You're adorable, decked out in your favorite blue dress, just had your hair highlighted, and are ripe and ready for a sparkling, flirty conversation.

He's equally adorable, smiling from across the crowded bar, obviously discussing you with his buddies. But nothing ever happens. Neither is bold enough to take the bull by the horns and approach the other. So eventually you both leave - alone. Try again next weekend. Sound familiar?

Don't feel too bad. Introphobia is "a nervous condition that prevents mutually attracted, but un-introduced groups of men and women from meeting each other in bars, museums, etc."

Sounds like a serious social disease, right? Well it is according to the above definition provided by Social Circles, the hot new group-based activity service which has the eager unattached masses lining up for an instant cure.

There's no denying that times are tough in Single City. According to New York Magazine, there are 3.1 million singles needing a little, or a lot, of help in the mating game.

"It's clear that the current hook-up scene isn't comfortable or satisfying for most normal people," explains Social Circles co-founder Jose de Lasa, 31, who started the downtown company in October 1997. "So we're not at all surprised by the enthusiasm for our less pressured, stigma free service."

Co-founder Graham McAden, 27, agrees that there was a dire need for something new. "I was so tired of hearing my friends complain that there were just three options for meeting new people: bars, work or blind luck. So naturally everyone falls into a horrible, boring rut."

The concept behind Social Circles is simple. Sign up alone (or with friends) and Social Circles matches you up with a small group of like minded singles to participate in a wide variety of activities including: ballroom dancing, bowling, cooking classes, ice skating, IKEA field trips, poetry readings, SoHo gallery tours, rock climbing and wine tastings.

The cost is reasonable and because Social Circles offers a variety of membership plans, there's very little risk - but many rewards. Every month members receive calendars packed with great activities to do.

"Considering all the money my friends and I were wasting going out weekend after weekend, standing around in smoky bars talking to no one except ourselves, Social Circles is quite a bargain," laughs McAden, adding, "but we're not a dating service. We're about activities, where people meet friends, business contacts, and hopefully even love interests - free from the anxiety that accompanies a one-on-one 'set up' service."

Although the client list is varied, most participants fall between the ages of 25 and 42, are professionals, live or work in Manhattan, are college educated, and - most importantly - have little time for love to come knocking on their door.

"Everyone's got demanding careers these days, and meeting smart, fun, people is a challenging job in and of itself. So we're willing to do most of the leg work for you," says de Lasa, who makes sure that detailed itineraries are faxed to each member before any given activity.

So really, Social Circles is just another way busy urbanites can use their time more effectively. "New Yorkers use services for everything - grocery shopping, dry-cleaning, working out, personal shopping," de Lasa explains. "So why not sit back and allow our service to plan your social life for you?"