Speed Dating

[Jamie 10]

Bloomin heck ... another speed dating company advertising on the forum !!

[c_datexpress 10]

Tim

 

Just to let you know there are no events on your website. I would try and get that sorted out pretty quickly as believe you and me peoples interest soon wanes!

 

Cathy

[stvh 10]

I tried a speed dating meal at "Buskers Bar" opposite McDonalds top of moor. Was a great nite!

 

£15 3 course meal, give them your name, turn up and there were about 20 or so "couples" moved on after courses and left to own devices at end of night.

 

Definitely not seedy or corny, all over 25, lots of different backgrounds, I met a lass we dated for a couple of months but still friends.

 

Go for it!

[emma_uk 10]

http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=666305

 

News

 

 

Quick off the mark

 

LOOKING for love can be difficult if you live life in the fast lane. Jade Beecroft reports on a dating craze which allows South Yorkshire singles to meet 20 potential partners in one night

 

The phenomenon of speed dating has finally moved north, giving busy South Yorkshire singles the chance to be struck by cupid's arrow.

Speed dating is marketed as a modern and sophisticated way to meet like-minded people in a safe environment, without the embarrassment of blind dates or the uncertainty of the internet.

A normal speed dating session works in roughly the same way as a game of musical chairs. The women are seated at small tables and the men move around the room meeting each one in turn.

The couples are allowed three or four minutes to chat before a bell sounds and the men move to the next table.

Each participant keeps a score sheet, and at the end of the night they hand them in to the organisers who compare scores to see if there are any matches.

Simon Pugh, chief executive of The Training Exchange in Dinnington, is organising some of the events in South Yorkshire.

He first attended a speed dating event in London, and enjoyed it so much he decided to organise events of his own.

"Speed dating doesn't have the tarnished image that dating agencies have," said Simon, whose spin-off company is called Lightning Speed Dating. "It's fun and most people get a match within two sessions.

"Some people worry that they won't get enough time to speak to someone they like, but we hold our sessions in bars or clubs with a late licence to allow people to socialise afterwards.

"The beauty of the time limit is that it means you're not stuck talking to someone you really don't like for hours, like on some disastrous first dates."

In effect, speed dating allows participants to "screen" a large number of people in a short space of time, before arranging a proper date, with someone they like, at their discretion.

Simon said: "We look at all the score cards at the end of the session to find matches. It's great because it takes away the embarrassment of asking someone out, only to find that they don't fancy you.

"We do all that for you, and we don't pass any contact details on without permission from both sides."

But with only three minutes to impress potential dates, how can you maximise your chances of making a good first impression?

The Training Exchange also offers its clients free one-to-one coaching, either over the phone or in person, before their speed dating experience.

Simon said: "The best piece of advice when trying to impress someone new is to smile, lean towards them a little and be really open and friendly with your gestures."

Another new Sheffield speed dating company, dateXpress, has taken a different approach by using Green's gym and health club on Napier Street, Sheffield.

Director Catherine Hinsley said: "The venue is very important in order to set the scene for the rest of the evening. We spent six months looking for the right place and turned down those that other companies are using."

DateXpress is also one of the only companies that breaks its clients down into different age groups, and encourages clients in their 50s and 60s as well as younger people.

"I think there are a lot of people out there who may be divorced, widowed, or have kids and want to meet like-minded singles," said Catherine.

"In fact, these are often the people who may have been out of the social scene for a while and find it hard to meet potential partners."

To try speed dating for yourself contact The Training Exchange on 0845 6009050 or dateXpress on 07764 182804. You can also log on to http://www.datexpress.co.uk

 

27 September 2003

[tinajones 10]

it all sounds rather inorganic and expensive. how do you know people are single - what if attached people are just shopping around?! i think i'll wait for fate and destiny....

[rs6060 10]

Hi Jamie

 

Read your posting from a while ago regarding Speed Dating.... did you give it a go? I am considering going to one of the nights if you fancy poping down.

 

On another subject, I know you !!! lol

 

I'm Richard S, the guy who worked at Alternative Software years ago. You did a conversion of a game I did (Dead Or Alive).

 

How's it going?

 

Rich

[Martin_s 10]

Well I'll be honest I never thought I'd be reading this thread and thinking ok, this sounds interesting but having been newly dumped after 3 years (cue: long, tear jerking story *yawn*) I'm wondering whether it'd be something worth trying...

 

Have to admit though, I'm in the "I don't want a relationship" stage of things so friends (I tend to get on better with ladies... and the not so ladylike ) is more important..

 

Do you get people going to these things just to meet people and have a laugh or is it more for the "want a partner" type of person?

 

Just curious, and not thinking seriously about it honest

[Mawgan 10]

Intersting night at the Halcyon a little while ago, not least because it was the last place my ex and I went to before she became my ex..

 

When they say speed dating, it really is speedy; 3 minutes is just about long enough to sit down, a few pleasantries either side then you need to move on. In a couple of cases, that was a blessed relief, in a couple more not so..

 

Worth thinking about the age range if you are going to do one of these things, I'm 34 and went to a 30-45 event and about 50% of potential matches I reckon will have ruled each other out immediately because of the better part of 15 years age difference..

 

Worth thinking about fairly open questions; if you ask 'what was the last great film you saw' to someone that doesn't like films you are onto a looser before you start.

 

All in all, not a bad night out. Nothing has come of it, but think I'll try again.. We should maybe organise a forum trip to one, at least there would be a few like minded souls drowning their sorrows after..

[Jack Yerbody 10]

I've tried this speed dating thing in London (you know the script, lots of people with v little time), and it was quite a giggle. But, being honest, my friend and I were just "shopping around", and it proved to be a far cheaper way of getting some phone numbers for future use than hanging around in bars. Not many got a second phone call...

 

Beware of men. Especially ones you meet at speed dating nights

[Mawgan 10]

Originally posted by Jack Yerbody

Beware of men. Especially ones you meet at speed dating nights

 

Think you are right to a point; there were definately some odd and sad characters around..

 

Some of the women weren't much better..

[MichaelTravis 10]

This speed dating business sounds horrific.

 

Does anyone know of a scheme where intelligent, beautiful women with low expectations and standards can be delivered to my sofa?

 

Ta.

[Jack Yerbody 10]

I believe they are known as "escorts" in the trade - although quite why one would compare these beauties to a crappy Ford car is beyond me...