The Media Loves Speed Dating!
This international phenomenon has now come to Utah…
Press Releases
- World-class Dating Comes to Utah (PDF, 61KB)
How it all began...
First there were blind dates. Then there were personal ads and phone dating. More recently, internet dating has taken over the number one position for dating services. But now, there is an even better way to meet singles…speeddating.
Take a look at some of the attention speeddating is getting in the media. Wherever you go and whatever you read, everyone says the same thing...speeddating rocks! And no one does speeddating like UtahSpeedDating. So get to one of our events and see for yourself or, better yet, get yourself a UtahSpeedDating membership and attend unlimited events during your membership period.
- The Benefits of Speed Dating—By Curt Smith
- Find Me a Date, Make it Quick!—India Times News Network
- Speed Dating: The Fast Match—By Carolyn Campbell, Discovery Health.com
- Speed Dating 101—By Jeff Cohen
Find Me a Date, Make It Quick!
India Times News Network
It's your answer to the date that became a nightmare. Speeddating, as it's called, gives singles five to eight minutes to get to know their dates. Held under one roof, singles gather and spend time talking across a table till the buzzer goes off, and move on to the next person. So if your partner turns out to be a pain, dumping him isn't that hard. And if it works, then it's easy to take it forward.
In Mumbai, the singles are given five to eight minutes to impress one another before moving on to the next potential date. If the two parties like each other, the date carries on, with the help of the organisers.
Abroad, couples are allowed to discuss anything, except their careers, or where they live. Following each date, participants mark on a card whether they would have an interest in meeting their date again. If a mutual interest is noted, organisers provide the phone numbers.
"This is how it works: 10 men and 10 women get together and are given five minutes with each other. If you decide that you want to spend more time with that person, not just to date them, but to make friends, then you take it from there," says entrepreneur Amit Keswani, who's tried his hand at speeddating in Spain.
Why speed-date?
Veejay Nikhil Chinapa, who recently hosted a speeddating session in Mumbai, says the response was amazing. "I was like the resident nanny, taking people through the whole process. It's a rocking concept."
He believes that speed-dating is probably the best way for today's youngsters to meet. "Once people are out of college, they stop hanging out, going out for movies and college fests. And those used to be ways of meeting other youngsters of the same age," says Nikhil.
This would be an ideal alternative to meet likeminded people. "It's a great way to make friends, find someone who shares similar interests like playing scrabble or watching black and white movies." Nikhil says the person who generated the most interest among single women in Mumbai was someone you wouldn't give a second look to if you saw him at a bar. "But he was really funny. What people look for in relationships is companionship."
Is three minutes enough?
"It's enough time to know whether you want to meet the person again. It's not speed-marriage," says Nikhil.
Hot model Deepika Padukone says speed-dating isn't really her scene. And eight minutes are definitely not enough to find your partner for life. "But it's fine if you just want to make new friends," she says.
Deepika believes that this concept would be a hit in Bangalore, "because there are lots of singles who want to be hooked up and don't know where to meet people."
The Benefits Of Speed Dating
By Curt Smith
With speed dating, you can meet singles that fit your criteria. Obviously, you should be honest about your own specifics like age, education level, religion, ethnicity, your ideal mate and what have you. After you complete the questionnaire, you're invited to a get-together with 10 to 20 "dates" that match your said requirements. How does it sound so far?
Once there, you get to spend approximately 7 minutes with each person (no pickup lines or too much time spent with Miss or Mr. Wrong) and exchange your ideas on whatever you want to talk about. At evening's end, you fill out a report that specifies which people you'd like to see again and if the individuals you choose are interested in you, an exchange of numbers takes place. Imagine, now you won't have to guess whether a person is interested or not. Things don't get much better than this.
Growing Popularity of Speed
Speed dating has all the ingredients needed to ensure that everyone is satisfied. First, you can be sure that everyone is there for the same reason: to meet a potential mate. Second, before committing any of your valuable time, you'll know off the bat if there's any chemistry between the two of you. Finally, because the rules of the game are understood by all participants, it is okay and acceptable to ask personal questions like: What do you do? Do you want to have children in the future? Have you ever been married before? Is sex important to you? What are your hobbies? What issues are important to you? And the greatest part of all is if they don't satisfy your requirements, all you need to say is "Next!" because you have 9 to 19 other individuals waiting to speak with you.
Misconceptions
A lot of people assume that members of speed dating programs are losers, ugly, have issues, or lack confidence. But surprisingly enough, most of the people who use these services are actually very confident and attractive. They're people like you and me who simply lack the time or resources to go out and meet other people. What people don't realize is that initiating a conversation with a complete stranger requires a lot of confidence, and even some attractiveness. It's easy to park your 250-pound butt in front of a computer and write that you weigh 165 pounds in your personal notice. But it's quite difficult to lie about your appearance when you're sitting in front of the individual.
Don't Give Up Hope!
Give speed dating a try. I'm sure you won't be disappointed. If you don't meet someone right away, don't despair. Do you really think that you will be lucky enough to marry the very first match you make? Of course not, if you're looking to meet and eventually settle down in a long-lasting relationship, you'll have to interview many individuals before you find the right one who shares your interests. Let's not kid ourselves; there are billions of people around the world. What makes you think that you will find your ideal mate within your first or even fifth try? Even if you don't end up meeting a lover, you're at least sure to meet a lot of great acquaintances, who might, in turn, introduce you to their circle of friends.
Speed Dating: The Fast Match
By Carolyn Campbell, Discovery Health.com
Love and marriage have always gone hand in hand. With the efficiency of shotgun weddings and quickie divorces, it would only seem natural for dating to follow suit.
Enter the fast-paced world of speed dating, where singles have the opportunity to date up to ten other lovelorn singles in one evening.
How is this possible, you ask? Each date lasts a mere seven minutes. What makes speed dating different from the typical bar scene is that participants have the same objective — to meet a potential companion.
Rules of the Game
The rules of speed dating are quite simple. A group of singles gathers at a cafe or similar venue. Armed with a nametag, a scorecard and their sparkling personality, couples are paired up to begin their first date. They are allowed to discuss anything, except their careers, or where the live.
Following seven minutes of conversation, a bell is rung, and the men move on to meet their next date. Think of it as a flirt's version of musical chairs.
Following each date, participants mark on a card whether they would have an interest in meeting their date again. If a mutual interest is noted, speed-dating organizers provide each party with the other's phone number.
Where Did It Come From?
Speed dating, established by Rabbi Yaacov Deyo in 1999, is based on a Jewish tradition of chaperoned gatherings of young Jewish singles. Originally intended as a way of keeping Jewish singles from marrying outside the faith; the speed-dating movement has flourished in both Jewish and secular communities throughout the world.
For many singles tired of the bar scene and weary of blind dates, speed dating offers a fun and safe alternative.
But Does It Work?
Speed dating has proven to be fairly successful, with approximately half of all participants coming away with a potential match. While some may be uncomfortable with the notion of making repeated small talk ten times in one evening, advocates of speed dating believe that the success of this "unconventional" arrangement lies in "conventional" — simple chemistry.
But the question remains: Is seven minutes enough time to fairly assess someone? Afterall, in this short time, you may have written off someone you might have otherwise found interesting in a traditional dating scenario.
Conversely, you may think you've met your dream date. But had you more time — even one more minute — you may have discovered that "dreamboat" has a toe-nail clipping collection under his bed.
Regardless, the popularity of speed dating is growing at a rapid pace. Is speed dating the new revolution in relationships or is this fad's seven minutes up?
Speed Dating 101
by Jeff Cohen
Wondering if Speed Dating is for you? Here's all the basics to help you determine if you want to give Speed Dating a try.
What is Speed Dating?
Speed Dating originated in the late 1990's and utilizes a round-robin format to help daters meet several people one-on-one at the same event. Each date typically lasts ten minutes or less before you move onto the next potential mate.
Is Ten Minutes Enough Time?
You may not know in ten minutes or less if you want to marry the person, but you can often tell if you at least want to see them again. Plus, if you know right away it's a mismatch at least you're not stuck sitting through a boring dinner waiting for the check.
Is Contact Information Exchanged?
Typically no contact information is exchanged at the end of each speed date. Rather, at the end of the evening, each dater submits a list of people they would like to see again. The event organizers look for matches and provide contact information to both parties for each match made.
So now you know the basics, but what should you wear and talk about at a Speed Dating event, and how should you act to improve your chances of finding that special someone?
What Do You Wear for Speed Dating?
The key in choosing your outfit is to dress attractively without dressing to attract. In other words, your goal is to meet a potential mate, not just attract attention, particularly from the wrong kind of person. A good rule of thumb is to look at yourself in the mirror before leaving and determine if any particular article of clothing or exposed body part could be distracting. If you pass this test, you'll know the people you meet will be able to focus on you, not your clothes or a body part.
What Do You Talk About?
Speed Dating is not all about flirting, rather it's about getting to know a set of new people quickly and efficiently. In general, focus on topics appropriate for a first date.
How Do You Act?
It can be tempting to be something you're not. After all, you are trying to impress others at Speed Dating events. However, keep in mind that putting up a false front will not ultimately help you reach your goal of a committed relationship. In the end, if you act like yourself you'll know that others are meeting the real you and expressing interest in the person they'll date if the relationship progresses.
Feel like you're ready to get started? Then you need to learn about various Speed Dating websites available in the market.
Where Do You Find Speed Dating Opportunities?
Go to any common search engine, such as Google or Yahoo, type in "speed dating" and you're sure to come across opportunities.
Best of luck as you speed along the dating superhighway!
