3 Things to Remember When Speed Dating (and What to Avoid Doing)

After going around and visiting my favorite  dating sites, it’s pretty obvious that no one wants to be alone on Valentine’s day. People have started speeding things up and the private messages inside chat rooms have lost all subtlety (“Are you going out with someone on Valentines? Yes? Ok, thanks”).

From the shy “hello, are you free” to the bold “reserve your slot, I can accommodate more dates” types, people are advertising their single-hood, and hoping that on V-day they will meet the One.

This of course reminds me of “speed dating”, an offline event where you can meet a multitude of people in just a few hours. Have you checked your local community’s calendar yet? Look out for speed dating events that you can attend on Valentine’s day. If you’re single, this is the time to go looking.

There are 3 things  you should always remember when attending a speed dating event.

1. Everyone’s checking out everyone else
2. There’s a system you have to follow (i.e. if your target prospect is talking to someone else, you have to wait your turn)
3. You only have a few minutes to present yourself, the reasons why she should date you, and leave a lasting impression before the other person moves on to the next date

Keeping these in mind will make sure that you don’t do any of the following embarrassing things…

• Crossing your fingers behind your back before you approach and during the conversation. At any point during the speed dating event, someone will be looking at you, sizing you up and observing you. Crossing your fingers is cute but a sure sign that you’re nervous. If you’re into dating rituals and anti-jinx spells, you can always cross your fingers inside your pocket or handbag.
• Getting miffed when a girl you thought you connected with flirted more openly with another guy. Jealous already? I’ve seen some guys “mark” women during the event. They don’t approach other girls anymore after they talk to someone they like. Cute, but it’s unrealistic. Honey, this is a speed dating event, you should mingle and she’s there for that, too.
• Forgetting to bring calling cards or a pen (and a small notebook!) – It’s easy enough to think that being the flirty guy that you are, you’re unforgettable to most women, and the hottie you impressed with your romantic conversation would remember you and only you after meeting every single person in the event, but this isn’t realistic. Have a few cards printed and give them to the people you will meet.
• Self-sniffing, breath-checking and adjusting brassiere straps – There’s nothing wrong with checking if you still smell good after a few hours of standing around, exchanging pleasantries and what-not, but remember that people are watching you at every turn. Wear comfortable clothes and check the things you need to check before you even go out of the house.

Have fun on Valentine’s!