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Speed dating is a truly innovative way to meet singles. However, if you’ve never tried it, you may wonder what speed dating is like?There are loads of pros to speed dating and hardly any cons. But it’s also what you make of it. So is speed dating good or bad? Well, it’s certainly good, provided you do it via a reputable provider and have a positive attitude.

Read on to find out why speed dating is a good way to meet singles, and how to make the most of your experience at an event.

Is speed dating good or bad?

Speed dating provides an opportunity to meet prospective dates face to face and engage in person. This takes away a lot of the issues that can occur when using online dating sites. It also provides a fun night out in a regulated environment. This makes it a very safe - and fast - way to date.

Speed dating does mean meeting people in person from the start. If you prefer to initiate the first contact from behind a screen, then speed dating may not be for you. Although it’s still worth a try - not every single is on a dating site. You might be missing out if you skip speed dating.

What is speed dating and how does it work?

Speed dating gives you the chance to chat with other singles and ask questions. Then you fill in a form ticking who you liked from the group you met. And if that person puts a tick by your name too, you get an email with contact info, letting you know you have a match. Bingo! You can tick as many, as few, or none of the singles on the list. It’s entirely up to you. So there’s no pressure or expectations.

How does the rotation work?

Each event has a host to lead proceedings and tell you when it’s time to switch. You’ll get four minutes with each person then either you, or they (often the girls) will move onto the next person with a pause in between to make notes. The brief time period means you’re not stuck with anyone you don’t hit it off with, but have enough time to identify those you do.

The speed dating experience

Dating of any kind can feel daunting. Speed dating hosts are specially selected for their people skills and the ability to make everyone feel relaxed and welcome. You don’t have to worry about feeling awkward or shy, they take care of you and explain what you need to do.

Does speed dating work?

Speed dating always achieves the objective of enabling you to chat to other singles in your area and to let them know if you’re interested. Whether you end up going on a date with one of these people after the event really depends on who’s there on the night and what you’re looking for. But it’s not unusual to find someone you really like and even end up walking down the aisle with them.

Speed dating rules provide clarity 

Another helpful aspect of speed dating is that you know what to expect. There’s a set format, so no surprises or uncomfortable silences - and you don’t have to worry that the other person will be offended if you’re not interested, because they don’t find out until after the event.

How to do speed dating well

We’ve been pretty clear that speed dating is good. There are situations where it doesn’t go well, but these can be avoided. Do a little bit of preparation and you’ll have a great time.

Speed dating tips for a good experience

Here are some top tips for good speed dating.

1. Book a speed dating event that’s run by an experienced, reliable company.
2. Arrive with a positive, open mindset.
3. Don’t set your expectations too high at the start. You might not meet the kind of person you’re looking for on your first go - be prepared to attend a few events.
4. Prepare some questions and have a think about how you might answer common ones.
5. Relax and have fun. It’s about having an enjoyable interesting experience, as well as finding a mate.

What do you talk about at speed dating? - speed dating questions

Think about what you’d like to know about the other speed daters. Creative, inventive questions can be interesting and enhance your speed dating experience. Do keep it light and ask questions that don’t require long answers - you only have four minutes.

Speed dating near me and speed dating apps

You can easily find events near you by doing a general search online, through listings like Eventbrite and Skiddle. While you can’t actually speed date via an app, some organisations used app-based technology to input results and keep in touch.

Where do they do speed dating?

Pretty much everywhere! All major towns and citieshave regular events happening frequently.

Speed dating in London

Everyone in London is short on time. If you live in the capital speed dating means you can cover so much more ground than trying to meet someone in a bar.

Related Questions

• How long does speed dating last?

Usually, each ‘date’ will last around four minutes. The overall length will depend on the number of participants, but you can expect a night out of around two to three hours. Many attendees stay for drinks afterwards too.

• What should I wear for speed dating?

Choose something appropriate for the venue and day of the week (Fridays and Saturdays may be dressier). Your outfit should also be comfortable to sit for a lengthy period, clean, flattering and reflect your personality.

• How much does speed dating cost?

This varies according to the location, but an average price for a speed dating event is in the region of £20. Some are more, others will be less.