Ever thought about speed dating? Not sure if it’s for you? Well, the only way to know for sure is to try it, but speed dating suits more people than you might think. It’s like rapid mingling with all the fun of a night out, paired with enough order to prevent awkward pauses and lonely hours at the bar.
The structure of speed dating is all about introductions. You get to meet real, live, breathing humans who you know, without a shadow of a doubt, are looking for a connection, too. Profile pictures can’t deceive you, because there are none. You don’t have to worry about which strangers at the bar are just there for fun and which ones are looking for love. Your blossoming romance won’t come to an abrupt end when your conversation partner’s real partner returns from the bathroom. Speed dating offers less stress, more connections, and a lot of fun.
It’s Like Regular Dating, but Faster
When you agree to a date you sign an unwritten contract to spend at least one evening with someone. You have to commit, even if it’s for just a few hours. Anyone who’s ever gone on a disastrous date knows that even a few hours can be way, way too many. There’s nothing like going on a date and finding out your potential partner is a snob, a slob, or one of those precious souls who have no idea when to stop talking about their ex.
Speed dating really is like regular dating, but it’s faster. Most events move you between partners every five minutes or less. This gives you the chance to make that all important first impression. You probably won’t know if it’s true love after a three minute conversation, but you’ll know if the relationship is doomed before it starts. You like cats, and they like dogs. You’re a librarian, and they brag about never touching a book a since high school. Some things just aren’t meant to be, and speed dating helps you get past bummer dates in less time than some people spend in the bathroom. Don’t like someone? Just wash your hands and move on.
It’s Fun
Hollywood loves to depict speed dating as one of the most awkward scenes imaginable. They present a room full of uncomfortable singles who have somehow failed to find meaningful connections elsewhere and must now scrape the bottom of the barrel. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Speed dating events are upbeat and fast paced. Everyone there understands the nature of the event, so there’s always some sexual tension lurking under the laughs, but the laughs are frequent enough that no one cares. Remember, despite the way it’s portrayed, speed dating isn’t an exercise in personal exposure. When everyone in the room is in the same boat, there’s a surprising amount of trust. There’s also a lot of fun.
Many speed dating events take place in bars, hotels, and other popular evening venues. Those that don’t, often have partnerships with local establishments, so you can graduate your date to the next level with ease. You won’t spend the whole evening hopping between partners, either. Mixing time allows new connections to grow and mutually interested parties can continue kindling the initial spark they found during the main event.
You’re Safe
The Internet gave predators a magical tool. It lets them sniff out victims quickly and convince them to spend time alone in their company. That tool, of course, is online dating. Lots of people have found meaningful connections through these apps and sites, but the risk is always there. You simply can’t tell if a person plans to hurt you based on a couple profile images and some seductive banter. A lot of people feel uncomfortable going to meet strangers through these services, especially if they live relatively isolated lifestyles, suffer anxiety, etc. There’s nothing wrong with that.
Although there are one or two creeps in any kind of dating situation, speed dating is one of the safest options for singles, especially if you’re new to town. You spend time with strangers one-on-one, but you’re never really alone. Speed dating is a guided event, so there is always someone on hand that you can talk to if you feel uncomfortable or threatened. It’s easier to relax and have a good conversation if you know someone’s got your back.
Meet Lots of People Quickly
When you only have a few minutes to leave your mark on someone, you’ll find that conversations go a lot deeper a lot faster. There’s a difference between an introduction to a date’s friends and an introduction to multiple dates. The focus is different, and a spark can grow without awkwardness. Thanks to the literal speed of speed dating, you get to meet more people in one evening than you probably could in a period of months. After all, setting up individual dates is both time consuming and expensive. Speed dating breaks the ice, gives you critical first impressions, and opens the door to future involvement for multiple potential partners in one or two hours.
Anyone serious about finding a partner enjoys a lot of practical benefits in the speed dating scene. Finding the right chemistry is tough. Dedicating your weekend plans to a single experiment will slow your progress. Even if you’re the Thomas Edison of dating, and you aren’t impressed by partners one hundred times, speed dating helps you reach that one hundred and first date faster.
So, are you willing to give it a shot? Remember, in the worst case scenario, you won’t find someone you click with. You’ll still have fun, meet new people, and enjoy a safe evening out. Speed dating risks are pretty low, and the rewards outweigh them dramatically. Get out, have some fun, and remember that you don’t have to choose anyone. Speed dating is high speed, but low pressure. Why not have some fun?