Speed dating

This type of event has gained massive popularity over the past few years due to a number of reasons. The main reason being is that this type of event is generally aimed at the age 20-40 market and this is where the majority of single people find themselves in this age group.

Speed dating tends to follow the same format and there are almost always an event happening in the major cities every week. So if interested you will not have long to wait to get to an event near you.

The format usually involves about 40 people comprised of equal numbers of  males and females who will meet at a location predetermined and arranged by the event holder.

There will probably be a half hour window for booking in where you will be provided with a name badge, some paper and a pen. This ensures that you get to have a peek at everyone there before the event begins.

Twenty tables will be set up with the girls sat at one side and the boys at another. Each person will be given a number so that girl number one will meet boy number one and then after the allotted time then the boys will move to the next respective table i.e. girl number one will next meet boy number twenty and boy number one will meet girl number two and so on and so on until each person has met all 20 of the opposite sex.
The time allocated varies from event to event with some promoters only tabelling a three minute window whilst others may table a four minute window. Each event/promoter has their own set rules.

After everyone has met one another then you are given the opportunity to make your choices of those you would like to see again and hand it in to the organisers. They will take everyones choices away and then match pairs up if there is a reciprocal attraction or you can log onto a website and do it for yourself.

There is usually a fee for this service which ranges from event to event. Figures range from £20 to £40.

Speed dating is not suited to everyone however it is a useful tool for helping people build self confidence and get to know people. It is not known how successful this is but with the amount of events ever increasing with demand then there must be some credit in it.