Speed Dating Tips
Frankie:
What is your opinion on Speed Dating? I have never tried it but have heard conflicting reports from friends who have. Some said it was a big waste of time and others said it was an okay experience but not great. Is it a good way to meet people?
Dan
Dan:
Speed dating is a great way to meet a lot of people in a short amount of time. It can be fun if you have the right attitude and follow a few basic guidelines. It’s important to relax, have a good time, and not have any expectations around outcome. If you don’t make any matches, try not to despair, go to another event and keep honing your skills.
Here are a few tips to make the experience enjoyable:
1. Don’t go Solo - Take a friend
Taking a friend will alleviate a lot of the awkwardness that you might feel if you went alone. It is also fun to compare notes or get another opinion.
2. Limit your Drinks
Often speed dating events are held at bars so it is easy to go overboard by drinking too much as a way of trying to relax and become less inhibited. However, drunken behaviour is not going to make a good impression on anyone. Decide your beverage limit in advance and stick to it.
3. Bring Business Cards
Exchange business cards with as many people as possible even if there is no attraction. You never know where a contact will lead you, so network shamelessly.
4. Be Authentic
Just be you. Don’t pretend to be someone you are not. You will either be liked for who you are or not – better to have someone like the genuine you rather than a fake. Believe it or not, being authentic will give you a confidence boost.
5. Smile
A smile is inviting and shows that you are warm and friendly. It will also help the person you’re talking to feel comfortable. Putting someone at ease in a stressful situation is a big plus and will win you brownie points.
6. Come Prepared with your Ice Breaker
Let’s face it, you only have a few minutes to make a memorable impression on a stranger, so make the time count. Come prepared with an opening statement or question that has some impact. Don’t ask “What line of work are you in?” That is too boring and run of the mill. Differentiate yourself by saying something that reveals a little about yourself and will jumpstart the conversation.
7. Don’t be too Quick to Judge
Be realistic about what you are really looking for in a relationship. Is outward beauty your only requirement in a date? If not, try not to judge and dismiss people too quickly. The decision you need to make is not about selecting a life partner, it is simply “do I want to meet this person again to see if we have anything in common?”
8. Speedy Follow-up
Don’t delay in contacting your mutual matches even if it means setting up several coffee dates in one week with a few people.
Good luck and have fun!
What is your opinion on Speed Dating? I have never tried it but have heard conflicting reports from friends who have. Some said it was a big waste of time and others said it was an okay experience but not great. Is it a good way to meet people?
Dan
Dan:
Speed dating is a great way to meet a lot of people in a short amount of time. It can be fun if you have the right attitude and follow a few basic guidelines. It’s important to relax, have a good time, and not have any expectations around outcome. If you don’t make any matches, try not to despair, go to another event and keep honing your skills.
Here are a few tips to make the experience enjoyable:
1. Don’t go Solo - Take a friend
Taking a friend will alleviate a lot of the awkwardness that you might feel if you went alone. It is also fun to compare notes or get another opinion.
2. Limit your Drinks
Often speed dating events are held at bars so it is easy to go overboard by drinking too much as a way of trying to relax and become less inhibited. However, drunken behaviour is not going to make a good impression on anyone. Decide your beverage limit in advance and stick to it.
3. Bring Business Cards
Exchange business cards with as many people as possible even if there is no attraction. You never know where a contact will lead you, so network shamelessly.
4. Be Authentic
Just be you. Don’t pretend to be someone you are not. You will either be liked for who you are or not – better to have someone like the genuine you rather than a fake. Believe it or not, being authentic will give you a confidence boost.
5. Smile
A smile is inviting and shows that you are warm and friendly. It will also help the person you’re talking to feel comfortable. Putting someone at ease in a stressful situation is a big plus and will win you brownie points.
6. Come Prepared with your Ice Breaker
Let’s face it, you only have a few minutes to make a memorable impression on a stranger, so make the time count. Come prepared with an opening statement or question that has some impact. Don’t ask “What line of work are you in?” That is too boring and run of the mill. Differentiate yourself by saying something that reveals a little about yourself and will jumpstart the conversation.
7. Don’t be too Quick to Judge
Be realistic about what you are really looking for in a relationship. Is outward beauty your only requirement in a date? If not, try not to judge and dismiss people too quickly. The decision you need to make is not about selecting a life partner, it is simply “do I want to meet this person again to see if we have anything in common?”
8. Speedy Follow-up
Don’t delay in contacting your mutual matches even if it means setting up several coffee dates in one week with a few people.
Good luck and have fun!
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