Strategies for Speed Dating
It won’t take long to decide if you’re romantically interested in someone - according to some sources, it’s only a matter of seconds. So it’s no surprise that traditional dating is being pushed aside for speed dating, a matchmaking process wherein a large group of people are rotated to meet each other for only a few minutes at a time.
Three minutes doesn’t sound like a lot of time, but if you’re stuck with someone who has the conversational skills of a tree stump, it can feel like forever. It’s okay to plan questions in advance so you won’t be left in a lurch. Ask the standards (Where do you live? What do you do? What are your interests?) or lighten things up with some quirkier questions (Do you believe in aliens? What color is your toothbrush? What kind of pets do you like?).
Of course, you don’t want to sound like a bad actress reading from a script or a robot shooting questions out into space. Use a question as a starting point and then let the conversation flow naturally. Even in a three-minute chat, there’s time for two-way conversation. When your date is answering you, don’t just nod and try to think of the next question to ask. Pay attention to his answer and respond to what he’s saying.
Since speed dates offer such a slim opportunity to sell yourself, you may feel tempted to exaggerate who you really are. But what seems like an innocent fib during a three-minute chat can end up being a major deceit if you start dating the other person.
Even if you’re not interested in pursuing anything, you should still be honest, if for no other reason than the fact that deception usually causes more problems than it solves. Besides, every single speed date is a chance to practice your dating skills - so telling tall tales is just wasting an opportunity to improve your love life.
We said this one already but it’s worth repeating. The most important part of dating - speedily or otherwise - is getting to know someone and letting them know you. If you can learn to be comfortable with the process and confident in yourself, it will be a lot less nerve-racking and a lot more fun.
Choose an outfit, makeup and hairstyle that are flattering yet approachable. Smile at every person you meet. Make eye contact while you’re talking. Most of all, show that you’re a real person. Talk about your family or where you’re from. Share one of your passions or dreams.
It may only be three minutes, but if you meet the right person, it could be the best three minutes of your life. A traditional date is like a movie, filled with highs and lows that eventually add up to interest or disinterest. But a speed date is more like a movie trailer: a fast montage of moments that leave a general impression. Here are a few of our favorite speed dating strategies to help you make the best impression and make the most of your time.
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