The next time eHarmony doesn't work out for you (or, if you're in my shoes, the next time you go out to dinner with your family on Valentine's Day, surrounded by couples sharing dessert), you have another option: speed dating. Chances are you've heard of speed dating and seen it in movies, but never had the confidence (or maybe lack thereof) to be that person - the speed dater. Well, I can now tell you from experience to take a chance and give speed dating a try.
My friend and I went speed dating at Hillel last week to sort of celebrate (or make fun of) our single relationship statuses this Valentine's Day. And yes, I am brave for putting this in print, because almost all of our friends laughed at us for being speed daters. However, I think people only laugh because they have this stereotypical notion that speed daters are desperate daters. You don't have to be desperate to simply want to find a date, and there are all kinds of reasons to give speed dating a shot.
First, you could plan a fun girls' night out (sorry guys, this part doesn't apply to you as much). Round up a group of girlfriends, put on loud music or, if you're like me, a romantic chick flick, and get dressed up together. When you're done speed dating, go get coffee and indulge in some gossip about which guy you would like, totally love to like or go on a date with! Sure, maybe this is a little sophomoric, but it never hurts to let the inner junior high girl shine through sometimes.
You could also go speed dating simply to make new friends. I probably wouldn't have otherwise crossed paths with most of the guys I met on my two-minute dates. You can meet people with completely different interests from yours, or people with whom you have a remarkable amount in common. I met one guy who told me he was Jewish and was disappointed when I responded that I was not only Methodist, but also very German, because he had always wanted to meet a Jewish blond girl. Plus, the Internet makes it easy to get your date interest's name and at least become Facebook friends.
I even know people who have gone speed dating before just to make up names and fake stories about themselves. Because of my rotten ability to lie, even in innocent fun, I couldn't have pulled that one off, but it's another fun idea. Just remember to be respectful of the other speed daters.
Of course, you can always go speed dating in hopes of finding a date. Like I said, it's a great way to meet people on campus that you might not have met during your everyday routine. There is always the chance that your dream date is not in your major or any of your classes, is not a member of the same student groups, does not play on your sports team, and does not sit next to you in class. Bottom line: There's nothing to lose. Speed dating is not as embarrassing as you would think, and there are no strings attached. If you find a match while speed dating, get his or her number, go out to dinner, and then let the dating part really begin.
Emma Morehart is a freshman studying journalism and a stringer for The Post's culture staff. Send her an e-mail at em170908@ohiou.edu.
4 Opinion
