Since time began, meeting a mate has been a long and laborious affair, but creative minds and modern technology have sped up the whole process. Speed dating is now a popular way to meet new people, get a few dates, and have a few laughs. If you are unfamiliar with speed dating, it may sound like a nightmare! You are placed into a room, bar, or pub, usually with a drink in hand with an equal amount of men and women. Like clockwork, the room shifts – much like musical chairs – and you meet a new person.

Some speed dating can move as fast as two minutes per date, other less speedy dating can give you as long as ten minutes with your date. Two minutes of face-to-face time with a strange can seem like a harrowing experience. What do you say? How much can you cover in two minutes? Well, if you come prepared, you can cover a lot of ground. Arrive at your speed date with a list of questions, a good attitude, and the ability to talk really, really fast! The most important part of a speed date is not the niceties, the introductions, or the politeness.

You need to find out the nuts and bolts of the person you are meeting in order to see if you want to see more at a later date. If all you do is ask them their name, where they are from, and what they do for a living, you aren’t left with much more time. You need to arrive with a list of questions – hopefully unique, quirky, and funny – that will bring out the personality of the people you are meeting. Maybe every guy or gal doesn’t get the same question, but after a few times you will find out which questions work and which are duds.

Another thing to do is to practice with friends ahead of time. Have them ask “off the cuff” questions to you and answer them as fast as you can. The more practice you get at this, the better you will perform on speed dating night. Speed dating is a great way to spend an evening, make a few friends, but hopefully meet the person of your dreams. There are a surprising number of couples still together months or even years later so it does happen – you just need the confidence and practise to make it a reality!