Speed Dating Tips and Advice

Speed or turbo dating is the type of dating event that will either work for you or not. In case you’ve been on the moon for the past few years, it consists of getting a group of single men and women together and allowing them to take turns to sit down and talk with each other for just two or three minutes, before moving on to the next person. Once you’ve had your allotted time with all the candidates, then you ‘vote’ on those you would like to meet again. If your chosen other person/s has also voted for you, then you are officially paired off or given each other’s contact information. Bearing this in mind, it’s a good idea to vote for several people you think you might like to widen your chances of getting a return vote and the chance to meet up with them again. Realistically, after the event, unless a pair has clicked very strongly, then often everyone just retires to the bar and carries on chatting and mingling.

It’s a great idea as it allows you to meet and have a brief banter with plenty of singles in one go, and then potentially chat further later. It’s much easier than popping to a bar and hoping to get talking to lots of men or women, and you know that everyone there is looking for some form of relationship and is therefore a potential mate.

On the negative side, if you’re a very shy person or someone who prefers to get to know a girl or guy first before making any romantic move, then it can seem forced. Most of all though, it’s a lot of fun – and great practice if you’re just getting into the dating frame of mind and need some practice at making an impression and some flirtatious sexy banter.

In terms of how to impress a guy or girl in 3 minutes and make yourself stand out from the crowd – here are a few tips:

• A big smile – it’s the answer to lots of dating situations as you’ll come across as friendly and easy-going. Plus it helps with any awkward pauses.

• Make them laugh – in three minutes, you’re not going to get much of a character breakdown of the other person, so your best bet is to make them laugh. Don’t just crack lots of one liners though – tease them a little, flirt a little and don’t take life too seriously.

• Use body language – as you’ve such a short period of time to convey information and to impress them, use body language to boost your chances. Techniques such as mirroring the other person’s gestures and hand positions, making sure that you’re leaning forward with your body ‘open’ to meet new people, and that you have plenty of eye contact to emphasise your interest in them will increase your chances of making a match.

• Have fun – this is the easiest thing to forget. Try to look at the evening as a chance to meet some fun people, have a laugh, maybe line up a date or even a new friend to go out date-hunting with, and practise your moves. Make sure that it is a fun evening irrespective of the outcome.