Speed Dating

Speed dating is a match-making system that offers a fast and fun way for a large group of singles to meet, interact, and learn more about each other. Speed dating events may take place online or in person and are set up to allow singles to meet a certain number of other singles in on-on-one date.

The individual dates are arranged to take place within a predetermined setting and last only a certain amount of time, such as five to ten minutes each. In this time, it is up to the “dating” couple to find out as much as possible about each other to determine if they would consider the person sitting across from them a good fit.

Speed Dating in Person: Speed Dating events, such as the 8minute Dating event, are taking place nationwide and are becoming more popular with singles. Singles may find about local Speed Dating events by visiting the websites of Speed Dating services, such as 25dates.com or 8minutedating.com that list events taking place in most major cities.

Participants typically need to preregister for Speed Dating events and most events are associated with a registration fee, although some types of events may offer a free dating experience. Singles can attend different events, such as meetings only for single professionals, and meet other people with similar interests and aspirations in life. The dating events are typically held in a large room with a number of tables set up to accommodate the dating “partners”.

The singles are then seated at a numbered table to spend a set amount of time with the person sitting across from them. After the time has elapsed, one of the singles will move on to the next table to meet a new dating “partner”. To retain some form of anonymity, no contact information may be traded during the event and personal information is only available if two singles unanimously demonstrate interest in each other and a match is made.

Speed Dating events are also available online and dating services such as Mingle2.com, SpeedDate.com, or in480.com offer singles the opportunity to sign up for an online account that allows them to seek out other singles within their area. The singles are then able to chat with each other for a few minutes to decide if they have common interests and would like to meet again online in the future.

According to YourChoiceDating.com, from the approximately 4500 singles that have attended their Speed Dating events, over 96 percent said they had an amazing time interacting with other singles and 72 percent actually met somebody whom they would like to see again in the future. While not everybody meets a person they instantly “click” with, most singles do meet at least one potentially interesting person during speed dates. One advantage of speed dates is that the open events still retain anonymity and prevent the pressure of having to decide on the spot whom to choose as a potential future date. There is no danger of face-to-face rejection, since interest is only expressed on the score cards and matches are only made if both dating partners expressed similar interest in each other.

• Singles participating in Speed Dating need a name tag, a score card, and a pen.