Speed dating is quick, but it’s not a race. It’s timed, but not a competition. There are rules but no medals. So how do you win at speed dating? Can you win? Yes. You can always win – and I’m not just saying that because I’m exceptionally competitive.
When it comes to speed dating I reckon a win is a match. It’s an exchange of numbers, a phone call, and a second date. Or maybe a win is an evening spent enjoying the company of fresh faces. The funny dates, the weird dates, the nerdy dates, the hot dates – they all make for a jolly night of laughs and perhaps a cheeky kiss. But for those of you who have set your sights on a match, I’ve put together a sure-fire 5 step guide to winning at speed dating.
Gold medals at the ready:
- What lovely teeth you have
Smile! Smiles radiate positivity and happiness. A smile is welcoming and warm, can be flirty, a little cheeky… there are no limits to the greatness of a smile. Except you Steve Buscemi. Yours is just creepy. - Easy breezy please(y?)
Keep the conversation light. Politics and religion tend to be safer on the back burner during your first 4 minutes with someone. This is speed dating, so leave lengthy discussions for lengthier dates – your SpeedDater host will not be your friend if you take 5 minutes to move between dates because you’re too busy debating the strengths and weaknesses of the Catholic church. - Are we in a bar or on a waltzer?
Don’t drink too much alcohol! Gents, nobody likes a date with a foul drunken pirate mouth. It’s easy to knock back a couple of old fashioneds for Dutch courage but don’t overdo it. Especially if you’re coming straight from work on an empty stomach. I once saw a guy vomit during his last speed date. True story! It wasn’t sexy. Or funny. - Friend tick vs. friend zone
Ladies are far more conservative than guys on the ticking front. If they are a bit unsure they sometimes tick ‘friend’ instead of ‘date’. This ‘friend’ tick is not necessarily your one-way ticket to the friend zone, so don’t panic! Get in touch anyway, it could still be worth meeting up or getting a group of mates together for a low pressure night out to see what happens. - Gentleman for sale – 6ft – good hair
Sell yourself. (Your personality of course – what did you think I meant?) I don’t mean you should brag about money or talk about work (unless you’re a brain surgeon because that’s just hot), I mean you should play your trump cards and leave her wanting to know what’s in the rest of your deck. Women love funny men – make her laugh and she’s yours.
Follow these 5 pieces of top-rate advice and you’ll have the leg-up you need to win at speed dating. So, all that’s left to do now is book some singles nights – go forth and conquer!