How Does Speed Dating Work?

It is thought that on average, it takes us four minutes or less to decide if we fancy someone. This could well help to explain the new craze in speed dating; you no longer have to sit through an awful date for hours with someone who you just don't click with.

Many people may be put off attending this kind of event for fear of awkwardness. However, since everyone is there for the same reason it is a much less scary experience than approaching a stranger in a bar surrounded by their entourage of friends.

Speed dating takes place face to face in intimate surroundings at a fast furious pace, offering a round of dates from between 3 minutes and 10 minutes with each partner. It is similar to the classic 'Blind Date' method of matching, but rather than asking just 3 questions, couples have approximately 3 minutes to find out those all-important details. It could be the boring classics such as 'What do you do?', or the practical 'How many children do you want?'. The more bizarre questions will serve as quick indicators of the type of character you are sitting across from, such as 'What is the craziest thing you've done in the last 3 months? Or even ''What type of ice cream would you describe yourself as?'.

This short and sweet date is believed to provide the perfect opportunity to chat without the possibility of conversation drying up and awkward silences. It lets the couples taking part gain an initial impression and either leave them ready to move onto the next date, or tantalised and wanting to know more. Participants are given a score sheet on which they indicate their interest with a tick stating whether or not they would like to get to know any of their dates a little bit more after their initial taster. Then the organisers compare score sheets, and pass on contact details to any happy hopefuls of whom the attraction was mutual.

The benefit of speed dating is that no-one is in any doubt where they stand, with a clear 'yes' or 'no' response given to everybody. There's no embarrassing rejections, or hanging around wondering for days afterwards. With more than 7 million singles in the UK alone, speed dating offers a more hopeful solution to the dating game, for those who are exasperated at trying to meet their ideal partner