Speed dating

Advert to a meeting of Speed dating.

A speed dating, multidating or speed dating event is a method that establishes a relationship between people and that encourages pairing or a system of dating (a variant of the traditional dating system, the purpose of which is to enjoy romantic or friendship dates). Speed dating originated in Jewish circles in the United States as a way to ensure that single people (or those whose partners resided elsewhere) who lived in cities where they were a minority, compared to non-Jews, found each other. the others. The system became very popular, thanks in part to its spread on television, on game-date shows such as Fifth Wheel. At present, it is a common practice in the United States, especially among the gay community. Supporters of dating argue that this method of dating simply saves time, since most people decide if they are romantically compatible very quickly and that first impressions are generally permanent.

How to do it

Each girl carries a boy that no one else knows. Participants have approximately three minutes to have mini talks with each girl and rotate. If two get along, they exchange phone numbers and keep in touch. After each participant has had 10 mini-chats, cards are distributed to fill out personal data. So each one gives it to the girl who seemed most appropriate.

In another modality, each participant signs up for the event independently and in advance, being the responsibility of the organizer to try to balance the couples by sex (in the case of heterosexual events), and by age ranges. In this modality, from the beginning the women are each seated at a table that has a unique number, and the men will change tables in ascending order each time the announcement sounds. To avoid confusion, each man is also assigned his own number with which he must identify himself, along with his name, at each appointment. A piece of poster board and pen are often provided to each attendee so that he can write down: appointment number, name, and her impressions. These notes will be for her own reference and she will not have to give them to the organization. Voting is usually done online the next day. As soon as the voting period closes, the organization will count and exchange the telephone numbers of the couples that have made a match.

There are companies worldwide that are in charge of organizing Speed Dating events so that singles can meet. The methodology varies from country to country. The number of minutes for each appointment ranges from 2 to 8. You can have 8 appointments as 15, 20, or in some cases up to 25 people. That is, with more participants, there are fewer minutes of time for each appointment, and with fewer participants, the appointments will last longer. The total duration of the event usually ranges from 50 to 100 minutes. In Latin American countries it has been proven that it is very successful, due to the growth of singles who have little time to relate.

Since the 2000s in Spain there is also a wide range of "Blind Dates" / "Speed Dating" / "Speed Dating" / "Blind Dating". The best known is the "blind dinner", where between 6 and 8 people meet to dine together in a quiet restaurant. The target group are active singles between the ages of 20 and 50.

Other methodologies

In recent years, new formats have appeared to reach a larger audience, Speed Dating for networking or Speed Dating with Affinity Games that seek to deepen the connections between people from broad aspects of their personality.

The place

You need a place that can fit at least 20 people. A circle of tables is set up, the women go on the internal side and the men on the external side, so they can rotate. The lighting is dim. Pizza is generally eaten, since it is eaten with the hand, which means that when holding something, you are not so nervous. And meanwhile, cheerful music is heard. There are also plenty of speed dating events without music or food, but with a drink included.

The places where companies hold this type of event are usually restaurants, hotels, pubs and bars in well-known places and easily accessible to all participants. They are generally large events that host a minimum of 20 people and a maximum of the size that the venue allows. These events are usually organized on different websites.

Space can also be virtual. There is an online modality for speed dating that uses the video to maintain the meetings. Normally the possibility of exchanging contacts after the event is offered if the couple so wishes.

Speed dating in film and television

• In both cinema and television, important works have been done on quick dates, the emblematic film is that of Hitchwhere the protagonist (Will Smith) works by helping men conquer the woman of dreams. In a moment of the film, you see a meeting Speed Datingwhere a very important scene of the film is solved.
• Also in cinema was held in 2005, Virgin at 40, Just friends, I wish it was true., Valentineand even in 2007 a film was filmed Speed Dating with Hugh O' Connor.
• On television, chapter 42 of the third season stands out Sex and the Citywhere Miranda goes to an event Quick Quotes.
• Also in Dead like meDaisy goes to an event Speed Dating to take the soul of one of the participants, in episode 5 of the second season.
• The series Monk In episode 6 of the second season, touch the subject when Adrian tries to interrogate a suspect who attends events of Quick Quotes.
• In The Simpsons they touch the theme, when in the 20th episode of the 17th season Marge suffers an accident while he cleanses that brings amnesia. Without knowing who Homer is, she decides to declare herself single and is taken by her sisters to an event Quick date to find the man of his life.
• In Telefé the program Someone to want, led by Lola Cordero, has its bases in the Speed Dating.
• Currently, the Argentine director and screenwriter Daniela Fejerman, is performing in Spain, the film Seven MinutesIt's about this.