UNIT 1A - The Speed Dating Experience

Virtual lips Are you looking for fast love? If so, speed dating could be your sort of gig - If sampling 30 of the opposite sex in one evening appeals to you read on... - A bloke's perspective - A bird's perspective

In the 70s dating agencies were all the rage. In the late 90s internet dating took off. Now, in the 21st Century speed dating is seen as the new, cooler, alternative.

What is speed dating?
Speed dating events in Nottinghamshire have been taking place for a while now.

You basically turn up at a venue with 40 to 50 other unattached individuals and spend your night having speed dates - three minute chats with each individual.

After each date you can decide to put a tick or a cross beside your companion's name.

Then you contact the organisers - through their website - and inform them of your ticks. If any of the individuals you ticked ticked you then you're sent your opposite's e-mail address.

We found two willing spring chickens to explore the new craze:

The Speed Daters
Name: Tara Age: 23 Occupation: Tech Trainee Ticks given: 6 Ticks received: 5 Matches: 1 so far		Name: Suraj Age: 29 Occupation: Technical Op Ticks given: 8 Ticks received: ? Matches: 7 so far

Tara's Experience

I’ve never been on a Speed date before, although I’ve heard of them and have previously thought about signing up for one. I wasn’t worried about appearing ‘desperate’ as this seems to be more of a fun event than any kind of serious dating game. My motives I wasn’t going to Speed date to find myself a boyfriend, I was going to have some fun and if a positive side affect was a date, then all the better. It seemed to be an attitude shared by most of the people I spoke to on the night, in fact for several this wasn’t their first time. Quite a few people said they had so much fun, this was their second or even third time attending. There was a good mix of people, various ages (20’s-30’s) and before the dating got started everyone mingled, chatted and got a few drinks in. Early nerves I was quite nervous to begin with because I was wondering what to ask; but when you sit down and get face to face with people it gets easier. On the downside the event was quite large so by a dozen or so dates down the line, it was difficult to think up new questions or fun answers without being repetitive. The Questions The general sort of questions seemed to be, ‘What do you do for a living?’, ‘Where are you from?’, ‘Is this your first time speed dating?’, ‘What do you do for fun?’ etc. The hardest part of the night seemed to be remembering who everyone was even with space for notes on the scorecard. Entering your ‘ticks’ is done via the organiser's website so that ‘matches’ can e-mail and arrange for a date that hopefully lasts longer then three minutes! Too many men! My only criticisms of the night would be that this is definitely an event that needs to be kept small. I had around 25-30 dates and after 10 it was seriously becoming hard to remember who was who. The dates seemed to get shorter as people took time to fill in their score card notes and I seriously began to detest the signal to move on. Conclusions If you’re up for a laugh, don’t take things too seriously and generally want to meet people and have fun, then Speed dating is a great way to do it.

Suraj's Experience

I've been to a night like this once before to help out a friend at her speed dating launch. I was worried that I might be seen as desperate going on a night like this. I think lots of people have negative attitudes towards speed dating simply because they have no courage to do it themselves! My tactics I didn't ask specific questions, apart from if they were enjoying the night and then took it from there... I didn't feel awkward on the night. I get on with most people and found the whole evening entertaining. The questions The best question I got asked was: So, are you gonna come back to my hotel! I wasn't asked any bad questions. My choices I ticked people who made me laugh, were interesting, and were pretty hot (I know that sounds shallow but it's speed dating, for goodness sake!). I crossed people who were the opposite to my first answer...

There are a number of organisations arranging speed dating in Nottinghamshire.

If you fancy trying your hand at it we suggest visiting a number of speed dating sites to find one that offers the format of night that suits you.

Sure fire chat-up lines... (apparently)

Is your surname Jacob's - because you are a real cracker!

Here's 10p, go phone your parents and tell them you won't be home tonight.

If you were a new hamburger at McDonald's, you would be McGorgeous.

Do you have room in your handbag for my Merc keys?

Nice dress, can I talk you out of it?

When they made the alphabet they should have put U and I together.

You must great at fishing 'cause you've caught me hook line and sinker.

If I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?

Send us your chat-up lines here.