How well can you get to know someone in ten minutes or less? If you believe the claims of the many speed dating companies springing up all around the country, the answer is “pretty well.” Well enough, in fact, to justify another meeting that many of us bipedal mammals refer to as “dating.”
It’s a fair claim for the most part; it really doesn’t take that long to get to know somebody on a topical level. Many of the dating services I’ve researched have gone as far as to provide a list of suggested questions, as opposed to suggestive ones, to get things rolling. This name, rank, and serial number approach to meeting people usually consists of learning about the other person’s profession and their various like and dislikes.
I recently decided to take the plunge and try out this alleged utopia of single souls that, for one reason or another, weren’t meeting people the conventional way. I still find I am arguing with myself over what finally made me whip out my credit card (as opposed to something else I’ll leave to the readers imagination) and sign up for a session of speed dating.
My favorite reason is curiosity. While that’s partly true, it’s also a convenient excuse to avoid admitting I’m particularly bad at meeting women unless I have a non-romantic reason to speak to them. I don’t know if that’s because, in High School, my humor got me by and most of the girls I dated approached me, or that I'm rather self-conscious and don’t want to come off as a letch on the make.
The next reason that comes to mind is the hope of meeting “the one.” It’s a good reason and probably quite valid, but it’s something the pessimistic part of me put somewhere in the odds of finding intelligent life on the set of American Idol. That’s more a comment on my pre-conceived notions on the whole idea of speed dating than a comment on the people involved.
Article comments
1 - Elsa
I feel disappointed there's no picture in your bio. I am curious to check you out! :P
2 - Triniman
Interesting article.
In my city's main newspaper, there was a story about the dating scene in which single events were organized. You had to bring a single person. For her birthday party, the originator of the event decided that since most of her friends were single, to have an event with friends in which they also bring single people. Eventually, she ended up getting married to one of people who attended after putting on several events.
A new pair of singles took over the event and they are now called "Hitch" parties, after the Will Smith movie. The last event had 150 people.
3 - Triniman
Oh, this is their website: hitchparties.com
The concept may not be new elsewhere, but I think it's new in my city (Winnipeg, Canada.)
4 - ProudBison
Just checked the website... As a Winnipeger, I'm glad to see that there are some people willing to do something about our limited nightlife. As a single young 30-something, its nice to know that I have other options of meeting single women.
The women at the last party are definitely a good reason to check out the next event.
Great job to the two guys that are organizing it!
Unfortunately, I won't be in Winnipeg for their next event. Can't wait for the next Hitch party!