You may not have tried this new way of ‘meeting your soulmate’, so I’m going to cover some pros and cons.
Have you considered attending a speed dating event but are feeling really nervous about how it will go?
I’d say “Go for it!”
This relatively new way of dating is a great way to meet potential dates in person with no pressure. You may feel online dating to be too daunting for you to try, but speed dating can be a log of fun, without the pressure.
It’s been around for a few years (1998 actually) but has just gained more popularity in the last decade as busy professionals use this form of dating to hopefully meet their ‘soulmate’.
This is what Wikipedia has to say about speed dating:
“Speed dating is a formalized matchmaking process of dating system whose purpose is to encourage people to meet a large number of new people. Its origins are credited to a Rabbi originally as a way to help Jewish singles meet and marry.”
In fact, the first-speed dating event took place at Peet’s Café in Beverly Hills in late 1998.
So let’s look at some pros and cons of speed dating
It’s great for busy professionals who just don’t have time to search for a new date. Many of them hardly have any time to socialize.
Time saved looking for love. Attending one of these events means they’ll be introduced to a whole range of new people in just a couple of hours.
If you go with a friend it can be a fun and safe way to meet new people who may be in the same position as you. Many introverts find this method of dating a real godsend.
They find there’s no pressure to keep a conversation going for more than a few minutes with each candidate.
You may also like: 23 Questions to Ask on a First Date (or Speed Date)
Let’s Cover Some Tips Before You Attend Your First Speed Dating Event
- If you’re interested in attending a speed dating event you’ll need to pre-register
- The organizer has to be sure they have the right number of men and women
- The cost of attending varies depending on where you live
- Often these events have between 10 and 20 face-to-face 4-minute dates with like-minded single people
- The cost is usually between $30-$40
- You’ll be given a scorecard and asked to agree to their terms and conditions
- You’ll be told the questions you’re NOT allowed to ask
- You’ll be allocated a table with another person opposite you and you chat for a few minutes (usually less than 5 mins)
- A whistle will sound, marking the end of your allocated time with that person
- Next, you’ll get around a minute to indicate on your scorecard whether you’d like to see them again
- Usually, the women remain seated and the men go around each table until everyone has had their mini-date
- Before you leave your scorecards are collected and the organizers will let you know the results. Sometimes it’s by email or through their websites within 24 hours
You may also like: 4 Essential Tips for Introverts on a First Date
So let’s look at these speed dating tips and how they can help you:
The good points of speed dating
- You aren’t under any pressure to choose a partner (unless you’re interested)
- You don’t have to be engaged in any long in-depth conversation
- You’re in a safe environment
- It’s fun and engaging
- You could meet the love of your life
The drawbacks of speed dating
- You don’t have much time to get to know someone (if you’re interested)
- You’re competing with all the other women for the good guy’s attention
- You have to pay for the pleasure
To sum up, did you find our speed dating tips useful?
Well, why not give it a go? After all, you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain!
If you find this whole experience will be too much for you, then why not try online dating with a reputable company like eHarmony and keep looking for your perfect partner.
