I had to look this up on Bing. I honestly have never heard of the phrase "speed dating' before. I'm not out of the loop or anything like that. It's just one of those things that sneaked past my mental radar.

Having described my naive nature on bad days, has anyone done this before? If this is something where I can have a step or two up on other attendee's, the better.

Tip's, suggestions, tip's, idea's, tip's and advice would be appreciated.

Yowzers, can't imagine.
We probably could get more information out of YOU :-)

Like, what does it cost?
What are the time limitations?
Are there guards?

Go naked. Works every time.

Well, that's why I'm asking. I was looking for an expert. Not sure about the guards, but I do know Obi Wan Kanobi won't be there.

Just found cost. $35

I saw one of these listed at a Sheraton hotel that I was staying at on business. So I popped my head in the door to take a look at what was going on in there. It was held in the brightly lit conference hall. Men and women were sitting across from either other on rows of tables. It looked like there were some time keepers walking around monitoring things. Every one had a " hello I'm______ sticker on.

To tell you the truth, It looked like a school cafeteria setting, less the food... and filled instead with parents.

It looked weird.... maybe had they dimmed the lights.

Hmmm.

maybe they are all different.. different type settings... more alluring then what I saw. but that what it looked like to me

A version of this has been done in business for years now, difference being it is vendor and buyer. You get 10 minutes to pitch your product.. make your sales pitch.. then you have to move on to the next buyer. Our sales dept. when to one of these, I was against sending them.. thought it would be a total waste of time and money.. but we got orders out of it. So I guess the concept works. I was wrong.

I'm kinda getting the idea. But I'm still wondering if there is something one can do to stand out. I do prefer doing things in a unique fashion because I'm not like the others.

I've been thinking about this myself. With the right preparation 10 minutes can tell you an awful lot.

It's not just selling yourself and hoping to be picked. As far as I'm concerned you'd want to do the picking yourself. It's your future and the possible person you're going to grow old with we're talking about. So don't just wait, be pro-active!

Try to have some nice things to talk about, and have some questions at the ready.
Preferably questions that will give you some insight in the other person. Really listen to the answer!! Be aware, don't just try to fill the 10 mins with mindless chitchat. Pay attention to reactions and answers.
For example, I asked this man what he likes to do in his spare time. All he could come up with was: I used to have ..., I sometimes 'do some sports', watching telly.
WOW, amazing life you've got! Clearly he has no interests, no hobbies, no passion in life. ---> Not for me. Took me less than 5 mins to find out.

And by all means make sure you have some stories prepped that you can tell so you're not tongue tied and sitting there like a lemon with nothing to say. Not things you make up of course, but interesting things you have coming up, and interesting and fun things that happened recently.
Try to avoid lists like: "I'm easy going, I like to go out but also enjoy a quiet evening with you" Soooo boring. Doesn't work on dating sites, doesn't work in RL.
Prepare for such a question though: "Describe yourself in 1 sentence" and come up with something unusual. You can ask them that question too, see what they come up with.

Dress to impress, but don't wear something that makes you feel uncomfortable. Wear something that conveys 'you'.

Good luck.

just be your self...

don't go all dressed to the nines..this ain't church
but on other hand don't go street corner casual
take it easy on the jewelry
don't try to dress too young
or wear bizarre colors to try to stand out in the crowd

good hygiene is a must
shave or if you have facial hair keep it trimmed
a little cologne goes a long way

when is the last time you saw your dental hygienist?
white teeth and a nice smile
and when you smile at a woman make sure it goes up to your eyes
pay attention to the person in front of you

what they say, their non verbals
if you have a list of questions you want to ask
memorize them so you don't look like a dork carrying around
a piece of paper

Is this the new Ann Landers," Good Old Joe's Dating Advise" ?

Don't take it too seriously.
Have fun with it.

I think I would hope that I had just woke up from a bad dream and hadn't put my thirty five dollars down for such a ridiculous concept.

True I usually can tell if I am going to be attracted to someone in the first three minutes I can't imagine you would get anything more stressful than making it a multiplier effect doing it in volume.

One thing is I always feel a little remorse if I reject someone so I can't imagine it attracting any kind of nice women even it they were desperate to meet "the field" of offering in their area.

As far as tips if you genuinely decide to go through with it is I would say pick something from your current wardrobe and just try to look as neat and well groomed as possible.

This includes your shoes and good socks and new shoelaces.

A fresh haircut/barber will be noticed but will make a positive impression. NO HATS or sunglasses or canes for props.

If you need a cane or wheelchair/scooter make sure it looks like an extension of your wardrobe and is in good condition; no advertising or bunch of stuff hanging off it. Go to the venue and actually know if it is accessible and you can get through with out making it a bulldozer event. If you are not good in twilight, some of these idiot event try to feign and air of romance, and you don't want to look like a bumpkin if you can't see take a lighted mini magnifier card reader. If you don't wear contacts don't start for this. If you do wear glasses, a hearing aid make sure they are in working order and freshly cleaned. You may or may not be allowed to share a business card but make sure whatever you share is in good taste. I recommend nothing more than a photo card with a name and email. You may find out some of the lulu's that attend these events you will never wish to see again. Do not put your phone or car keys in the table and if possible check your coat. Leave the "bling" at home.

If you are not a suit and tie person I would at least skip the tie and opt for business casual; nice slacks and shirt with a collar.
Nothing too hot since it will be difficult enough not to be stressed with out being sweltering. If you need glasses or a hearing aid, or cane please don't be vain/deceptive enough to leave them behind. DO NOT remark about yours, or her assistive devices and DO NOT ask a lady to remove her glasses so you can see her beautiful eyes; it is extremely insulting.

PLEASE skip the cologne! And easy does it on any other cosmetics. The exception might be a good going over your hands and nails the night BEFORE with hand cream if yours take a beating on the job. Don't do this last minute because it will just enhance sweaty palms. Most women will wear their nicest clothes and you don't want to get snagged on anything so best advice is keep your hands to yourself for anything more than a firm greeting handshake and remember you do NOT have to come off as KING KONG. Carry a quality white handkerchief but know you must excuse yourself to use it. Even if you have to opt out on a turn don't "sniffle" your way through. Fair warning men are not the only ones who over do the cosmetics so if you have allergies/asthma be prepared.

Speed dating is not known for it's opportunity to speechify so have your intro down to a few descriptive words that are not too generic as to sound like the same blah, blah, blah. Make eye contact and smile. Actually listen when they are talking even if you don't get to your script. Try to avoid the same obnoxious interrogatories. You don't have time to do apologies and don't complain. Try to have more than one polite greeting and closing but don't even fall on your own sword trying to fake humor or being memorable because it will not be the impression you want if you have to create it. Be yourself.

Even if they are boring as dead bugs be gracious because don't kid yourself people have peripheral vision and if you make it a nightmare you may live to regret it. Many do go to these events in groups so NO GOSSIPPING; during or after.

All I can say is good luck. I would not do it in a million years but hey maybe that is why I am single. lol

PS. The whole Great Expectations and matchmaking deal is so BOGUS. They will take anyone who will pony up the money and they are the same people you see on free dating sites. They could care less if you get a date once they get your money.