Speed dating is without a doubt an unbeatable opportunity to have fun, expand your social circle and maybe even meet a potential partner.
So if you’re thinking about getting into a speed dating event or have already been to one, you probably have a lot of questions about post speed dating etiquette. You should follow the usual dating rules… don’t seem too enthusiastic, wait at least 3 days to call, don’t be too available… Who approaches whom? What do you say? Where are you going? How long should you wait to contact someone?
Let’s back up a bit. You’ve been on a speed dating session and met a certain hottie, or maybe even hotties… Then you wait to find out who likes you too. To your delight, most of the people you selected also liked you! The next day you walk around the office in euphoria with a goofy grin on your face. Your colleagues probably think something’s up, but they don’t know how lucky you were last night!
But what next? There are no hard and fast rules about who contacts whom. The reality is that they both know that they like each other, so the main factor that discourages people from making the first move, that is, “rejection”, is out the window. The best advice is to make contact as soon as possible. You can also hit while the iron is hot, and more importantly, while remembering which of your speed dates you’re contacting!
He made the call, and to his relief, they both laugh a little at how much fun they had at the speed dating event, chat about how their week has been, and decide they quite like the person’s company. From this point on, you should treat the situation as you would any other where you meet someone you like. Arrange to meet for drinks, dinner, or double dinner and a movie date. Treat it like a normal date, no need to pack your spare toothbrush, razor or panties!
But what if you wake up the next morning and get nervous about who you’ve selected? You’re just not 100% sure about them. What should you do if you change your mind? It turns out to be the best of us. It’s pretty normal to be unsure about someone before a first date, isn’t that the whole point of dating: to pick the numbers looking for that special someone? Remember, selecting someone at a singles speed dating event doesn’t mean wedding bells are going to ring. Speed dating is all about expanding your social circle.
If you’re unsure about someone, why not set up a meeting for a fixed period of time, like lunch during a busy work week or a drink after work (where you have plans afterward, or make some!). If during this first date you decide that you really don’t want to see the person again and you want to make this clear, you can opt for “I have to go home to my triplets, they’re teething!” That should do the trick. Or for the kids “Mom is home for dinner. I love living with my mom, why would anyone move?”
What if you are trying to make contact and there is no joy; despite updating your email or checking your phone a million times, there’s no flirty reply waiting. It’s safe to say that if you don’t get a response after 2 tries, it’s time to go back to the drawing board and sign up for your next speed dating event. After all, it is a numbers game!
