Speed Dating

Got eight minutes to spare? Want to go on a dozen or so blind dates in one night? Try speed dating, an extremely efficient matchmaking process that encourages meeting a large number of other singles face-to-face.

OK, Deal! Club, a social networking organisation for Chinese and expatriates, organises a monthly speed dating event in Shanghai.

At each session, participants first fill out a personal background form, in which they can write a basic summary about their age, occupation, hobbies and where they’re from. Men and women are then rotated to meet each other over a series of mini dates, lasting only eight minutes. When the time is up, participants move on to the next date.

“At the end of the event, each person is given a ballot and they vote for someone they’re interested in or want to see again,” says Josie Chen (pictured right), founder of OK, Deal! Club.

“Speed dating is very efficient and it’s a good way to talk to strangers, especially for a lot of Chinese who are a bit shy. This gives them an excuse to talk.”

Sarah Xie (pictured below), who works in public relations, wasn’t actually looking for a boyfriend when she went to her first speed dating event in December. “I wanted to meet new friends,” Xie says. “I just got bored at home during weekends.”

To her surprise, Xie was voted the most popular from all the females at the speed dating session. She even started dating the most popular male, who she’s been with for the past two months.

“I don’t think it was because of my charm or if I’m pretty that guys voted for me. It’s about how you treat new people, listen carefully and show interest in what you’re talking about. Anyway, in the end, you can only be with one guy, so being Miss Popular means nothing,” Xie says.

But Chen stresses that speed daters shouldn’t expect to find a love match right away. After all, what can you really learn about a person in eight minutes?

“You always get asked the same questions, so speed dating can be tiring. It’s better to spend time after, hang out and get to know each other. Speed dating is really just a platform for getting first impressions.”

Still, the social event can be a fun way to network, meet potential business partners and make new friends.

“I’m happy to see people become good friends, and if I can help people find their match and get married, of course I’d be even happier,” Chen says.

For more info, email [email protected]

(Continued on next page)