Speed Dating Dilemma – The Good Jewish Boy Vs The Horny Short Guy

Speed dating is a gimmick sold to singles who have "tried it all" and just want to find love already.

And since love is a numbers game, it can be pretty fruitful.

Let’s break this down:

The most successful London speed-dating nights work because of three factors.

One: They pick bars with drinks deals. Alcohol will always be a romantic lubricant.

Two: They make sure the location is in close proximity of The City or Clapham. Targeting a thirsty post-work crowd and sociable 20/30somethings is the way forward.

Three: They make sure to host nights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays  - when singles can use the excuse of having "nothing better to do" with their evening.

The format is simple.

Chat to 16-20 people for 4 minutes.

Note down who you fancy or want to friend (pah) – leave the moment it ends.

Then follow up that week with at least one date.

But people speed date for different reasons.

For some, it’s just another attempt in the endless pursuit of love. For others, it’s the easiest pick up in the world.

The Anecdote

I took a male friend to a speed dating event in South Kensington on a Tuesday night.  

We agreed that we were there only to observe  -  this wasn’t for us.

Looking around at the crowd, it was a mixed bag.

Some suits in their early thirties, some smirking early 20s boys and half the marketing team from Virgin Active.

We didn’t mingle at the start, just waited for the game to begin.

I sat down and prepped my conversation starters.

Most of the men were nice, but dull.

One talked about the price of his new house, another about his passion for sport.

But then came number 6.

He was a short and very stocky man called Sid.

Sid was 37-years-old and worked as "a businessman."

He lived five minutes from the bar and seemed excited to be there.

Sitting down he decided to start strong: “I can tell you activate your core."

Laughing it off I asked him what he meant.

“Well I can just tell from your body that you play sport.”

Nice. Go on.

“Listen, instead of finding out nothing about you in four minutes, how about this...” he continued.

“I live close to here and it’s a dull Tuesday. My flatmates are out and my bed is extremely comfortable. I think you should stay for one more drink and then come back for a night of athletic sex."

Startled, I looked at the little bold man.

I liked his gumption.

But before I could work out whether this was fun or repugnant, the timer went.

Screw you alarm clock.

I moved on to two more lawyers and a desperately shy man. 

Boring.

Then, I found a match with a cute-as-a-button Jewish guy, three years my junior, and we made a date for next week.

But it never worked out with the young one – it turns out speed-dating is a popular place for guys taking very brief pauses from long term relationships.

On a break?

That old chestnut.

And after two dates, a lot of expense and not that much passion, I started to wonder...

Perhaps a night of athletic sex with a very small man might not have been the worst thing after all.

................

So what’s the takeaway here?  Speed dating is for hook ups?

I’m not sure.

From a practical point of view, if you are determined to leave with a date on the cards, it works every time.

And if you’re there for sex, be as direct as you like and someone may well bite. 

Or regret it later.

[Fair Trade - How NOT To Behave When Dating A Banker]

[Lawyer Seeks Kitten - An S&M Cautionary Tale]

Nana is the newest addition to our Yahoo Lifestyle blogging team. She's runs a bespoke dating service called Social Concierge.

Check out her full bio HERE.