If you are one of those app-fatigued singles then it’s time to try something new. Well, technically it’s not new, but like many other good old things, like vinyl plates and oversized blazers with shoulder pads, it’s making a huge comeback. Speed dating. It is normal for a young person to have reservations about this type of dating because it feels unusual for them to meet a potential lover in person without checking their dating profile first. And to those who still remember how it was done back in the 2000s’, we have to say that some things have changed a little, but the overall concept has remained intact - you have short conversations with potential partners for 4-5 minutes, and wait for the divine sparkle of mutual affection to explode.
Speed Dating Origins
We can thank the Jewish people for many wonderful and life-changing inventions such as the ballpoint pen, the instant cameras, the word-processing computers, the mobile phone, video games, and, of course, Google. Now you get to know that speed dating is also an invention by a Jew. In 1998, a Los Angeles rabbi, Yaacov Deyo, started the practice of formalized matchmaking as a means for Jewish singles to meet each other, so that they can stay within the tribe. It rapidly expanded beyond the Jewish community and has become a worldwide phenomenon.
After Tinder arrived in 2012, most speed dating companies couldn’t handle the competition and shut down. I mean, who needed to pay a fee to have awkward conversations with strangers when with the swiping apps, it was less than three seconds for a person to decide whether it was a “yes” or a “no”!
With time, however, also dating apps became stale and old, and people got bored of using them. Some companies started organizing bar gatherings where disaffected online users would again! meet each other in person. It was a matter of time before speed dating was back in the game.
The pros
A major advantage of speed dating is that there’s a structure. The events are held in a public place, usually a bar or a restaurant, and are facilitated and moderated by organizations or professional individuals. The sponsors will take care of everything, and will leave only the talking and the charm spreading to you.
Another pro of speed dating is that you’re in a safe space. Meeting someone off of the internet can be dangerous and scary, but with speed dating, there is zero chance that you end up with your balls cut off.
One may think that having only a couple of minutes to get to know someone is a huge disadvantage, but it really isn’t. The initial gut reaction is an infallible love compass that will show you within seconds whether you’d like to see someone again and date them, or not.
The cons
Not getting any matches (which happens more often than you think!) may bring even the most self-assured person down, and make them give up on dating. If you’re worried that you’ll end up in the boat of the losers, then it’s worth researching tips on how to improve your chances to get a match on a speed dating night. For starters, I’d recommend following the “interview the interviewer” tactic. On first dates, we often tend to be overly occupied with what the other person is thinking of us, instead of focusing on what we think of them. That’s why it’s important to remind yourself to ask questions about topics that matter to you. Since you’ll have only five minutes or so at your disposal, come prepared with a few questions that cover your bases.
Gay speed dating
If you are interested in trying speed dating, you may want to check some of the websites, like themenevent.com or pre-dating.com, that provide information and possibility for online booking for upcoming speed dating events, virtual and in-person. Usually, the offer includes 7-8 short dates in one night, with bonus "mingle" periods that give the opportunity to mix and flirt with everyone in the venue.
And one last piece of advice. Try to relax and have fun, and I guarantee that matches would later jam your email.
