Not to sound naive, but I have never heard of "speed dating" up until a few weeks ago. I think I ran across an ad that was promoting this company/organization which conducts these events. So I signed up. It was $50 but with a discount, it was only $30. I have not been on a date in 8 years (mainly because I was working in China for awhile), but also because I was not in an environment where I could at least put myself out there. I know that may seen odd but it's true. Eight years. Every since I had my accident 4 years ago, I have been on medication for severe anxiety. Doctor said it may never go away. I was so nervous I was breathing heavy. But a bit excited I could meet someone. It was a hopeful feeling. I calmed down.

Getting to the point, speed dating is 8 minutes at a table with female counterpart(women are seated before guys). No mingling prior to start. This is what I thought I would experience. But no. It's 8 min's at a table. When bell rings, you change tables. I cannot ask for phone number or email info. If female is interested, she writes my number on name tag, and gives it to organizer. When I found this out I was furious. Increased by my condition. I complained to organizer of this requesting I'm refunded my $30. She said she can't. After I made a big stink, she sent me an email offering to attend a event in Jan for free after I told her Consumers Affairs would be notified.

So now I'm going to go to this Jan event knowing what this is about. They say you are supposed to be yourself. But I have this thought in back of mind telling me I need to do something to get person across table to indicate she is interested. I had no calls or e-mails after first time. I just have a problem with this, yet I want to go to hope something good comes of it instead of hanging around the house. Okay, here it comes. Anxiety attack of what to do in 8 minutes. That's not enough time. Then I get mad. This is frustrating. I'm frustrated. What do I do in 8 minutes? Has anyone else been sucked into one of these things? I felt misled by the ad. So now I go free. And for last time. Feedback as to how to handle this hurried conversation session. Thinking about NOT having a normal interaction makes me mad. Your thoughts.

What you say has very little importance in face to face encounters.

90% of what they are going to respond to is your body language, tone of voice, and your level of physical attraction.

That gives them cues as to how to respond.
Whether they should be relaxed, or look for danger or threats, whether what you say is just camouflage to ulterior motives, what you really want.

If you're frustrated, and mad, and closed off playing "how can I trick her into revealing her interest" games, then that's what she's going to respond to. If you're focused on objectifying her as a means to your happiness and just putting in the time or script you think she wants to hear in order to measure her for that role, she's going to respond to that, ultimately as an attack.

If you're open, relaxed, having fun, happy because you got out of the house, and punctuate that with talking about things you care about, that reflect your body language and tone of voice, then they will respond that way.

You can't control how attracted to you they are.

You can control your body language and tone of voice.
Best way is to practice mindfulness breathing exercises and relaxation techniques before you do this event.
When calm, focus on things that make you happy, you enjoy, you're knowledgeable of.
Then, come up with sentences to describe these things you can use in conversation.
Repeat the exercises until you find a normal level of equanimity.

No guarantee of success.
But far greater than if you're going into it expecting failure, frustration, and anger, like you're shopping on black friday for that limited item on sale.