Last Christmas I thought I’d give speed dating a go. Like most people I had several dating profiles on various sites. In a further blog I will discuss dating sites. Speed dating was just another medium and I was prepared to give it a go.
There are plenty of speed dates organized by different companies. Mine was organized by a lovely lady called Debbie at Meyoo in Brighton. http://meyoo.co.uk/blog/speed-dating-events-in-brighton-hove-how-to-choose/
The event was held in a cafe near Brighton station. On arrival we were given a list of names and told to tick the ones we liked after each slot. If both of you tick yes – that is a match. There was opportunity to mingle with tea and cake (strange choice I thought… I needed alcohol !) before we sat down at bar stools. The men came to us, in turn for 5 minutes and then a bell rang to signal the end of the slot. Every man asked the same thing ‘what do you do for a job?’ When I said ‘I’m a funeral celebrant’ they said ‘a funeral wha’? After several times of this happening I gave a different answer! But telling them that I deal with the dead and dying wasn’t any better!
The downsides of speed dating:
- It’s very expensive. My speed date event was £20.
- It feels just as artificial as on-line dating but in different ways. I felt like a prize pig on show at the market.
- It felt like a job interview, but worse because both of you ask bland questions.
- It’s very nerve wracking to be put to the test by 20 different people. Fine if you’re an outgoing, confident person.
- Conversations are too short and stilted. You get as far as ‘what do you do for work? Or how are you finding it so far?’ and then the bell rings and you’re on to the next.
- Regimented feel. A bell rings after your 5 minute chat the you’re onto the next one.
- If someone likes you but you don’t like them it can be awkward to decline a drink afterwards.
The upside of speed dating:
- You have more introductions than you would in one evening on-line.
- Face to face interaction.
- You form an initial impression of someone.
- There’s opportunity for a drink after.
- There’s a sense that you are all in the same boat and that can be fun.
- You can rate people. If you tick against their name and they tick against your name there’s a match and the organizer will share your mobile details.
So what did I do? I wrote a book instead, centred on my dating experiences in Brighton! It’s a bit naughty in places and is certainly not a hearts and flowers romance but readers have said it’s hilarious. Here’s the link:
