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Among friends, we all giggle at the thought of it, but with a 90% success rate of finding someone you want to see again, is speed dating actually something to consider? For many of us, we believe speed dating to be the very last resort if you’ve not found the right person by the time you’ve hit middle age. However, more and more young people are turning to speed dating as a regular option.
In today’s high-flying, quick paced and quite frankly, extremely fussy society – when it comes to men, do we really have the time (or stomach!) to go on numerous dates in order to find someone who at least looks normal? Finding a potential boyfriend can be next to impossible anyway, but especially if your days are packed full and end up merging into one big blur. We just don’t have the time to join every society at University or attend every social event, in the hopes of finding a decent bloke! The truth is we can’t physically do it all. Therefore, unless you’re one of the few lucky ones that have a steady boyfriend of four years, who you met at high school, then you may be feeling like the rest of us – on the verge of giving up!
Perhaps, the answer really is speed dating! Initial thoughts may lead you to believe it’s desperate, embarrassing, awkward and even time-wasting. From an observer’s perspective though, what is the difference between going on a night out to pull and sitting down in a designated area, meeting a handful of hopefuls, and pulling? Ok, yes, it is set up and you are all going into it with the same objective but in theory, that is what a date entails. Speed dating is just a much quicker and therefore, in some cases, a much less painful option!
What could be better than seeing a gorgeous, in-shape specimen on the list of line-ups and knowing you are going to talk to him, and potentially date him!? Sure, you have to get through ten bores first who talk about chess and Robot Wars, but those 5-10 minutes with ‘Mr Hottie’ will feel all the sweeter for waiting! Knowing how relatively quick each date is will be a comfort as you will never have to see them again after that time (well...willingly anyway!).
Therefore, instead of spending an entire evening, like on a real date, struggling for conversation and avoiding his bad breath, you just have 5 minutes of it! By the time you’ve moved on to your third date, you’ll be a pro! Remember, as embarrassing as speed dating feels, everyone is in the same nerve-wracking situation and the locations are always casual and relaxed, designed to put you at ease.
Readers may wonder, how does speed dating actually work? Well, it couldn’t be simpler! Singles meet face-to-face and converse for 5-10 minutes before a bell rings and the men rotate to the next table (the way it should be ladies!). In-between, everyone marks on their match sheet their preference for the person they just met, either circling yes to express interest in exchanging contact information or circling no so that no contact information is exchanged. "Matches" are made when two people circle yes for one another. Participants receive an email message the next day with the contact information of the people they matched with.
Studies have revealed that about half of the people who attend these events went primarily to find someone to build a relationship with. However, the other half decided to go in order to try something different and figured it would be a fun night out. So, not everyone there will be desperate, sad, old singletons! After the event, 65% said it was "better than they thought it was going to be", with 95% saying they would try it again.
So girls, I dare you! Grab your favourite lip gloss, those killer heels, your best girlfriend and give speed dating a go! You have nothing to lose, and perhaps a hot man to gain! It may turn out to be a very good decision indeed...
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