Share This Article
You’re feeling dissatisfied with the endless stream of awkward conversations on dating apps. All the conversations seem to be the same and yet they’re not quite the real deal . It’s time for something different, you think, something that will get your heart racing and your adrenaline pumping.
As you think about the alternatives, the idea of speed dating slowly starts to grow in your mind. Could it work? Can you find the love of your life in a compact meeting of a few minutes? And how does a speed dating event actually work? We will tell you more about it.
ALSO READ: 35 Playful Dates to Keep Your Relationship Alive
What is speed dating?
Speed dating is a unique way to meet potential love partners. This form of dating gives you the chance to talk to different people in a short period of time and get to know them better. The concept is simple, but exciting. Speed dating usually takes place at an event that is organized specifically for speed dating.
The term ‘speed dating’ is derived from the English words ‘speed’ and ‘dating’. It is based on the idea of meeting multiple people in a short period of time. This way you use your time efficiently and you can get many first impressions from multiple people. This is in contrast to traditional forms of dating, where you often plan multiple individual appointments with individual people.
Speed dating therefore focuses on the speed and pace of the process. It is intended to give people the opportunity to get a first impression of each other in a short time and to determine whether there is potential for further interaction or a possible romantic connection. Each conversation therefore usually lasts only a few minutes before you move on to the next person. This gives you the opportunity to meet several people in a single evening.
Due to the limited time and the rapid succession of conversations, you as a participant get the chance to meet multiple potential partners in a concentrated and compact setting. This makes speed dating a unique and exciting way to meet new people and explore potential love relationships.
ALSO READ: One-Sided Relationship? 22 Signs It’s Coming from One Side
The course of the event
A typical speed dating event is structured. The organizers have made a plan in advance based on previous experiences and follow this schedule. From our experiences, the organizers all use a similar structure, but there are differences in approach. In any case, this is a general description of how such an event runs.
Registration
Speed dating events are often held in locations such as hotels, cafes and restaurants. Upon arrival at the event, you will need to register with the organizers. They will provide you with a name tag or number to identify you during the conversations. You will then wait until the event begins.
Introduction
Before the event starts, a short introduction will be given by the host or hostess. They will explain the rules and procedures and make sure you know what is expected of you.
Table division
All participants are divided into two groups: a seated group and a rotating group. The seated group is assigned a table and remains at this table for the entire event. The rotating group moves from table to table. Each table seats two people.
ALSO READ: Is He The One? Not If He Does These 25 Things
The conversations
The speed dates begin. The rotating group starts at a table assigned to them and takes a seat. The conversation begins and both have a few minutes (usually around 5 minutes) to get to know each other. During this time you can ask each other questions, share interests and get a first impression of each other. Due to the limited time you do not have time to go into depth. The conversation should therefore be concise and to the point.
There is usually a timer with a bell or the host/hostess that signals when the time is up. At that point, the rotating group moves on to the next table, while the person at the table remains seated and waits for the next candidate.
Take notes
During the event, you will usually be given the opportunity to take notes about the people you met. This can be useful to remember who you want to see again and who you don’t. You write down who you had a conversation with and what you thought of it. You can also write down the topics of conversation , for example .
Repetition
Rotating tables and having conversations continues until every participant has had a chance to talk to each other. The number of rounds and the duration of the event can vary depending on the organization and the number of participants. In between there is usually time for a short break.
Make a choice
At the end of the speed dating event, you will be given the opportunity to indicate who you would like to get in touch with further. Who did you click with ? Who did you find a good match ? This can be done, for example, by filling out a form on which you indicate your interest.
Follow-up
After the event, the organizers will collect all the forms and try to make matches between participants who show mutual interest. You will receive each other’s details, after which it is up to you to make further contact and possibly plan a real date .
ALSO READ: Couples Have More in Common Than We Think’
Why speed dating is interesting
A speed dating event is special. It is very different from traditional dating and there are several reasons for this.
It is efficient
Speed dating makes it possible to talk to multiple people in a short time. This saves time and effort, because you can get a first impression in a short time and determine whether there is a click. It may seem the same as online dating, but it is not. Virtual conversations are very different and less personal than real, real-life conversations.
Divers
Speed dating brings together people from different backgrounds, interests and personalities. Do you want to step away from your usual type, because that type doesn’t seem to work for you? Speed dating allows you to meet people you might not otherwise meet. It opens the door to new experiences and perspectives.
Direct interaction
During a speed date, you meet someone face-to-face and communicate directly with each other. Unlike online dating , where contact is via messages, speed dating allows you to pick up non-verbal signals, observe the other person’s voice and body language, and make a direct connection based on this personal interaction.
Excitement and adventure
The pace of speed dating and the idea of meeting multiple people in a short period of time is exciting. It creates an exciting and adventurous atmosphere. It is a chance to step out of your comfort zone, discover new things about yourself and make unexpected connections. This makes the whole process challenging.
Less loaded
Because speed dating consists of short meetings, you get and give feedback quickly. If there is no click, you can move on to the next person without any discomfort. This makes it less stressful than longer dates and you can quickly determine whether there is potential for further interest.
All of these things make a speed dating event unique. It gives you a refreshing approach to finding love . It can be an exciting and stimulating experience, even if you don’t manage to find a match.
ALSO READ: 114 Best Date Ideas for First, Second and More Dates
How to experience speed dating
You enter the venue to find a bustling crowd of people, chatting excitedly and laughing. It’s a speed dating event and you can feel the tension and anticipation in the air. You sign in at the registration desk, where you’re given a number and a brief overview of the evening’s program. While you wait for the event to begin, you take a seat at the bar and strike up a conversation with someone else who’s also waiting.
Once you’ve started, you’re led to a table and take a seat. The bell rings and your first conversation partner sits down across from you. You only have a few minutes to get to know each other before the bell rings again and it’s time to move on to the next person. You start with a light-hearted icebreaker to get the conversation going, and soon a lively exchange of questions and answers develops. You try to find a connection, a spark that makes you curious about the other person. But before you know it, the time has already passed. Sometimes you think ‘too bad’, sometimes you think ‘thankfully’.
As the evening progresses, you notice that some conversations have more potential than others. Sometimes you feel a connection and a shared interest, while other conversations are less interesting and somewhat tame. But despite that, you remain open to new people. And despite the fact that not all conversations are equally successful, you continue to do your best to present yourself authentically and interestingly. After each meeting, you quickly make notes to be able to reflect on the conversations later. Those notes are also definitely necessary to refresh your memory later.
Finally, the speed dating event ends and you say goodbye to the people you met. You feel a mix of excitement and curiosity about what the future holds. Maybe you found a potential match , someone you want to talk to and get to know better. Or maybe you just had a fun night and met new people. Who knows what the results will be.
P.S. Are you already following Gistinger.com on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter?