What's speed dating?
Speed Dating
What is Speed Dating?
Speed Dating came about because of a need for a more efficient method of dating. This new dating craze started in the Jewish community and has spread to the major cities in North America and Europe. Dating candidates ask a series question rotating in a round robin manner every few minutes to the next participant. Because of the novelty of speed dating, it has become increasingly popular.
Advantages of Speed Dating
Supporters of speed dating claim it is more efficient and cost effective than going to a bar.
Research cost is lower than other types of dating services. Because the process forces each participant to meet and disclose information about them self, more information can be gathered quickly. As more information is gathered about a person, attractiveness of participants is given a chance to grow. Also, physical attraction can be judged because people can see each other.
Speeding dating reduces rejection cost for participants. Real speeding dating events do not allow participants to ask each other out. Only participates that express mutual interest will be given contact information from event coordinators. Also, other nonverbal communication signals such as body language can be used to see if mutual attraction exists, thus lowering rejection cost.
Disadvantages of Speed Dating
Financial Cost of Speed Dating, a Cost Analysis
Most speed dating sponsors charge between $20 to $40. This fee usually includes discounts of drinks or few free drinks. Thus, the cost of a typical speed dating event is comparable to a visit to a bar or club. However, you are able to get to know more people, making this type of dating seem more cost effective.
A speed dating event usually has around 60-100 participants, half male and half female. Let us assume the average cost for an event is $35, which may include discounts on drinks. Assuming drinks are $5 each, you would probably buy yourself about 2-3 drinks, adding $7.50 to the total cost. Also, let us assume an event will have 50 singles of the opposite sex.
To meet 1 eligible single of the opposite sex would cost $35/50=$0.70.
So the cost of meeting 1,000 soulmate candidates is about $700.
Your search time cost may be higher than other dating services because you are forced to spend time "dating" people you are not attracted to, wasting your time as well as your money.
Does Speed Dating Really Reduce Rejection Cost?
Going to a speed dating event may help you avoid face-to-face rejection because real speed dating includes a rule that only people who mutually chose each other would be given each other's contact information from the event coordinators. However, you may end up being indirectly rejected more often than a regular night out at a bar because you would have the opportunity to ask all the possible candidates out. A chance that nobody will be interested in dating you exists. If this happens, you would leave the event feeling less attractive and worthy than before the event. So on the next speed dating event, those people who had nobody interested in them would less likely to go.
Does Speed Dating Really Reduce Research Cost?
The argument that one can gather more personal information than an online dating service may be false. Leading online dating services, having more extensive questionnaires, may contain more valuable information. Not all speed dating minutes are spent asking the right questions. Some participants may spend the majority of the limited minutes answering one question or a few questions thoroughly. Can you really judge a person in 7 minutes? It depends on each individual's research skills. Those who have better research skills already know what are the important questions. Less experienced participants may ask less important questions, or worst, small talk.