When we first launched LuvemOrLeavem we still had a few people that needed to be convinced that online dating was a viable way for them to meet that special someone. These days, most of our regulars seem to have embraced online dating, and the big debate of “Should I try it or not?” has shifted to speed dating. Since we do have so many discussions that have popped up regarding speed dating, I thought it was time to revisit the topic and let all of you know about the basics of speed dating, what changes have taken place in the speed dating world and why people are choosing this method to search for their perfect match.
Although speed dating events take place in a variety of venues, there are some rules that are consistent across all the reputable speed dating companies and events. These rules have been put in place to make the event as comfortable as possible, to ensure the safety of the speed daters and because they are tried and true factors in what makes a speed dating event fun even if you don’t find a perfect match.
The Basics:
1. Registrants complete a registration form.
2. Information from registration forms is used to match up daters for a series of mini dates
3. Daters go on their mini dates with their matches, moving on to the next date when the time is up.
4. Daters must complete all assigned mini dates for the duration of the assigned time.
5. Participants cannot ask for or exchange contact information
6. Participants let the speed dating company know who they would like to be matched with from the event.
7. When there is a match the speed dating company will provide contact information to both people
Changes in speed dating:
- Shorter Time Limits- The change that we’ve heard the most positive feedback about is that many speed dating companies have reduced the amount of time that daters spend on their mini dates. When we first wrote about speed dating, the average was close to 10 minutes, but now the average is 5 minutes or less. Daters had complained to us about how 10 minutes was an eternity if there was no interest from the moment you took your seat, so this should be a big incentive for anyone who has been on the fence about whether or not to give speed dating a try.
- More Specialized- Speed dating companies do their best to match people by using their registration forms, but many are also running specialized events so that all daters have certain characteristics in common. For example, there are speed dating events for daters within certain age ranges, there are events for daters of specific religions, and there are even events that cater specifically to single parents.
- More Venues- Although most speed dating events are held in bars or restaurants, there are also speed dating events that take place in bowling alleys, on golf courses and there are even “speed cooking” events where participants take turns preparing parts of a meal together in a commercial kitchen. If you have a hobby that you feel your future love must also enjoy, odds are that you will be able to find some sort of dating event focused around this hobby.
So, with online dating becoming such a common way for couples to meet, why do some singles choose speed dating? Here are some of the most popular reasons that our readers have shared for why they have tried or continue to try speed dating.
- Face to Face- We get a lot of complaints from women who discover that their online date posted a photo from either 10 years or 30 pounds ago, so it’s not surprising that what people liked most about speed dating was being able to see the other person.
- Can Learn Much, Quickly- Even if someone is totally honest in their profile, there are just certain things that you can learn about a person in a few minutes when speaking in person, which you my not learn after hours of phone conversations or multiple emails.
- More effort- I would think that this is a bad thing, but a lot of women like the idea that the man had to make the effort to get out of the house rather than just sitting in front of his laptop. Women here in the San Francisco Bay Area seemed to especially appreciate that these men are willing to travel. Here is a quote from one such women “I went speed dating on The Peninsula, but I met a man from the East Bay. I figured if he could get here once he’ll get here again, unlike guys I meet online who act like coming out to the Peninsula is like traveling to the ends of the Earth.”
So now you know all about the latest trends in speed dating and why so many singles are willing to give it a try. Still not sure about speed dating? Come visit LuvemOrLeavem’s video page as we go behind the scenes of the country’s largest speed dating event. We’re sending video correspondent, Nando Rodriguez, to the Find Your Luvah event this Friday, January 29th from 8:00pm – 10:00pm (EST) We will be posting mobile video, Tweeting Live and allowing real time questions and comments. Come see what speed dating is really all about. We will also have permanent video of the event posted as well in case you’re not able to visit the site this Friday.
Please share your thoughts. As always, please use the comments section to let us know what you think about speed dating, or to let us know what you would like to know about speed dating when we go behind the scenes.
heard about this in the news…but i don’t think i’ll go for this, if able. dont want to go meet unknown individuals, especially these evil days. so many things can happen.
remember me? it’s been a while friend. hope you’ll visit again
jenie=)´s last blog ..I MISS THE DAYS…
Speed dating could be awesome for someone who is looking for a new relationship but “getting out there” is usually one of the hardest steps when looking for a new relationship. Even when that is the thing most needed.
Anyone who’s trying to get a new girlfriend should try it. But there are also times when you just want your old girlfriend back. Life is about learning to have kick ass relationships. I write about them on my blog The ex-2 system relationship guide
Jonah´s last blog ..Love Lost around the Holidays?
If I were single , I’d probably not try speed dating. First of all, it takes me time to “study” the person and ask the appropriate questions. I just don’t ask because I have to ask it. Or say something because I need to have something to say. And the minimum required time is not essential for anyone just to draw conclusions if she or he is a potential date.
bingkee´s last blog ..YOU CAN NEVER HAVE MORE THAN 150 FRIENDS (AND THE iPAD IS A LETDOWN)
Twitter: GiftNoodle
says:
I’m sure this process works for many people, men and women alike. Guess perhaps it’s the wave of the future.
branden´s last blog ..For The Luv Of Pete!
Twitter: sexylegsandbod
says:
Hi Tina,
I am glad I am out of the dating game, speed dating is new to me, but I think it must be quite exciting for the younger generation. I sure if I were younger, I would have done it.
Great post, Hope your week is going well, almost weekend!
Colin.
sexy legs and body´s last blog ..STOCKINGS, LEGS AND HEELS!
Twitter: brandyellen
says:
Speed Dating sounds interesting for sure!
Brandy´s last blog ..Marketing For Success
I missed and I think I’m glad sounds like a lot of pressure to me.
Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com
Dorothy Stahlnecker´s last blog ..Working Moms and Guilt
I must be living in a cave because I’ve never heard of speed dating, but it sounds like a great idea. Anything ever happens to Bill then that’s it for me, my dating days are gone
Jude´s last blog ..Obie Looking Cool In His New Harley T-Shirt
I went speed dating and thought it was a great experience. I didn’t meet anyone I wanted to date but it was a great way to practice dating and actually meet face to face.
Online dating is good too, but so many people hide behind their computers, chatting with tons of people at the same time, and never have the initiative (confidence?) to ask you out.
Meeting face to face is the way to go, along with a few other key things that I noted here in my dating expirement http://www.cashmereclutch.com/2009/06/how-to-find-mr-right/
If I was single, I would definitely try speed dating! Why not?
K´s last blog ..Company Detox
Speed dating came about after I was already married but it sounds like a great idea. When I was single, the only offering was the really expensive dating services. I am glad that people have a variety of affordable options to help them meet potential partners.
I can see the negatives for speed dating but it sounds like a great idea. Where else can you meet such a large group of people on a single venue. I guess it depends on who the others are.
Twitter: ausetkmt
says:
call me crazy but isn’t that what these kids do today ? they meet online; meet at mickey d’s. go make out or smoosh (i have no idea of what that means) and then they’re gone. speed date.
nothing to remember because it was a totally unmemorable occurance. apparently that’s also what the social networking sites are calling this new meet, hook up and then defriend phenomena.
either way if speed dating involves getting to get a few questions answered and find out a lil about someone new and interesting – why not.
RE – A BadGalSays´s last blog ..Negrodamus Has a Brand New Book – Black Is The New White
Twitter: symphonyoflove
says:
I have never tried speed dating. But the idea of meeting several daters at one time is pretty fascinating. I kind of agree with One of The Guys that sometimes it takes longer than 5 minutes to really get to know someone.
Over here, what matchmaking agencies are doing now are more of the event kind of dating. Like they organized High Tea session, weekend getaway, movie, dinner, lunch etc.
BK´s last blog ..How Do We Know We Have Found the Right One?
I missed the whole speed dating movement, but I would definitely try it for all the reasons you mentioned.
The only drawback I can see, is sometimes it takes longer than 5 minutes to really get to know someone.
However, for the few people you might miss in the process the pros far outweigh the cons.
Except in “Bob the Vegan’s” case.