If you move somewhere new you would go to work or school and get to know people through that then you might do something with them. There is also various social groups you can join, like volunteer work, sports or just random things like knitting clubs. Failing that just go to a pub and you will always meet someone there, and get to know them. Alcohol is the thing we need to be friendly, other countries have their things, we have this.

I didn't say it was inappropriate to ask someone to do something with you, I said we don't in general date. I go to a movie and dinner with friends all the time, even people I don't know that well, but meet through school or at work. But the object of that would be to get to know someone not to get romantically involved with that person.

I also realise that I forgot to add a part to that sentence when I halfway rewrote it, that part belongs with the going to someones house before going out to a pub thing.