Hi I am
Twinkle
with two cute dimples
but still a single
ready to mingle
anyone out there singing the same jingle
yone seen my cute looking uncle?
Ok, before you go nuts, forget it.
I know, the last line of the jingle doesn’t mingle with the
jingle, but that is what came instant to my mind. Instant is what
everyone is looking for in everything.
In this instant world of two-minute
noodles, zooming bikes with auto ignition, all time money (ATM),
instant pain relievers, fast communicating network, how about an
instant life partner?
Still wondering what and where can
you find instant life partners. Well they are not ready-made husbands
or wives but a faster approach towards the life partners is what
I will talk about.
Still confused read on…
Speed Dating, Rapid Dating, Express
Meet, Mini-Dates. Heard of them? Whatever you want to call it, speed
dating is a craze that is changing the life of singles in many parts
of the world!
Two days back one of my friends went
out for a date. She was very excited about it. But guess what happened?
First, both simply wished each other and then there was silence
till the ordered food reached their table. After eating, they parted
ways and left. My friend was very sad and she said weeping, “It
was a flop show”.
What do you think went wrong? It
is the same problem that all our automobiles face in winter. Any
guesses? Well, starting problem. We wait for the other person to
speak and end up wasting time in silence. Problems like this can
kill budding chemistry between two folks. Also what if you wanna
go out for a date and not able to find someone? Scared to approach
strangers?
To ease dating problems, there is
this Jewish concept of dating coming up in India. Teenagers abroad
expansively enjoy it. The name of the game is Speed Dating. I am
sure most of you must have heard of this term and must have also
tried it. One can’t help it; the name is a bit too tempting.
What is Speed Dating?
The origin of Speed Dating as a
social phenomenon can be traced to Los Angeles, where the Jewish
community started it seven years ago to build a platform for Jews
to meet other Jews in the city. It became popular, and soon spread
to the rest of the world. Speed Dating is a game where equal number
of singles both guys and gals are invited to a venue. These people
have registered themselves prior to the event. They are individually
made to sit on the tables and then in an organized pattern either
the guys or the gals have to keep moving from one table to another.
At each table, they are allowed to spend 3 to 7 minutes. After speaking
to each person, both have to give their scores for whether they
liked the person or not, separately on the scoreboard. After everybody
finishes moving around, towards the end of the evening the scores
are matched and then on the basis of the scores, information is
exchanged between two matched individuals. In a day or two you can
meet the person right away; or at least you can contact the person
and let her or him know when you can meet. You can always break
if you not interested in the person dating.
This method of dating is apt for
college going students who are ready to mingle, young professionals
complaining of scarcity of time and for those who have lived a bit
long of their lives in their run for career. Also for those who
are hesitant in asking a person out for a date. Problems like how
to start a conversation? The answers to all these questions is speed
dating.
There is no harm in giving it a try.
It is very simple. Just go and meet people of opposite sex and rate
them on the basis of your choice. If not a life partner, you can
make friends and making contacts is always better for the business
circle. Right guys! The best part about this is that you can keep
on trying. There is no loss except for that expensive entry ticket
which I think is worth dating so many people at one time.
How is Speed Dating a safer option?
•
You don’t
have to inform your parents that you are going to interview
some 30 guys or girls. It is not necessary for them to know
about it.
•
Secondly, you get a wide
variety of choice. Who wouldn’t like variety?
•
You meet strangers not in
a closet but in a relaxed atmosphere like restaurants, pubs,
hotels or cafeterias. So just chill.
•
You are given the privilege
of judging people. Doesn’t that sound coo?
•
Very fast you come to know
whether a person likes you or not. You don’t need to
wait till your heart stops beating. That is such a relief.
•
You luckily get to meet
the person you liked again, only if your scores match with
them.
•
You can keep on trying;
it is fun and not embarrassing.
•
Gives a chance to those
oldies who feel out of place in pubs and clubs. Thus provides
a platform to overcome insecurities and join the group of
singles joyfully.
•
Be it for any reason, fun,
serious commitments or timepass, Speed Dating gives you all.
•
Time, what we all never
have, is saved here. Speed Dating reduces the chances of wasting
time on losers and boring people.
Never loose hope and keep on trying
is the punch line here.
The saying‘ First impression is the best impression ‘
goes well here also. Who would even think of speaking to a badly dressed
person? Dress down to earth, because when speaking, you should be
the focal point and not your clothes. A combination of good physical
appearance and approachable attitude calls for fabulous chemistry
amid two individuals. That is what you look for here.
What can one talk in just few minutes? How can
one judge a person in a fraction of an hour?
Usually, it takes few minutes to be comfortable
to talk. How can one just start blabbering seeing a stranger? Well,
that is why it is called Speed Dating. This unique game teaches
you to be positive and talk to people confidently. As you are seated,
start talking. That is the sole purpose. May be speaking to first
two would be a bit difficult, but as you move on you will start
enjoying it.
Topics one can discuss are, you can start with name,
education, age and then briefly tell about family, religion and
beliefs. One can also talk about interests and look for similarity.
Moreover, description of your ideal person will help the opposite
person understand you better. But don’t just keep talking;
remember other person also has to speak. An advice to the guys would
be that girls love good listeners. So keep this in mind. One more
plus point here is that all are here for the same reason –
relationship, life partner or flirting. You don’t have to
feel inferior or shy. It is an open field, run and get the right
catch.
Losers opt for it. Who said that?
Some people think people who are not confident and
sure of themselves opt for speed dating. That is not the case. What
people don't realize is that initiating a conversation with a complete
stranger requires a lot of confidence. It's easy to park your 250-pound
butt in front of a computer and write that you weigh 165 pounds in
your personal data. But it's quite difficult to lie about your appearance
when you're sitting in front of the individual and have to impress
him or her in just few minutes.
Speed dating for girls:
•
It is a safe option since the event
is conducted in a public place.
•
Most of the companies that conduct these events
confirm the identity of the individuals by checking their driving
license and identity cards, keeping away the cheap crowd.
•
It doesn’t take a lot of your time.
•
On emotional grounds it is safe, unless a girl
gets obsessed with a guy.
•
Where can one find so many single men belonging
to different strata of the society!
•
Not the only one going through the dating tests.
A different ball game for guys.
•
Don’t get rejected directly
on your face.
•
You can have seven or more dates without even
paying for them. Infact, Speed Dating won’t even cost
you what one dinner date would cost.
•
It's not entirely based on the size of your paycheck
or the kind of car you drive. So drive on.
In India, Mumbai was the first city where Speed Dating
was conducted. Being the most tolerant, liberal and cosmopolitan metro
of the country, it welcomed the new concept and the crowd that turned
up was pretty o.k. The capital, Delhi also had a taste of it. One
of the companies has plans of conducting it in Hyderabad in a month
or so from now. But they’re a little doubtful about Hyderabad,
since people here are little narrow-minded. Couples holding hands
here are a very rare sight.
FORUM:
Do you think the cupid will strike in Hyderabad too?
Is it a fad or a new revolution in relationship? Have you ever participated
in Speed Dating? How was it? Found someone or just went around for
timepass? Be free and share all what you did? Remember it’s
your page.
VIEWS:
Shubha Viraraghavan, a
psychology student: I think the whole concept of speed dating
is very ridiculous. The time gap you are given to know the person
is very short and is not sufficient to actually know the person.
People who register for things like this are nincompoops and desperate
and have lack in life.
Jai Kumar, working in a MNC:
The concept of speed dating is very cool. I don’t know how
much for the girls, but it is terrific ideas for the guys to date
so many girls in a single day without getting bashed. It’s
just a timepass kind of activity. Looking for serious relationships
in it is funny. On whole it is like a joy ride.
