With people too busy to go around the social scenes and meet new people, more and more innovative ideas on dating are being conceptualized. One of the newest ways to meet new people and possibly meet a new love is through speed dating.

Although the concept is actually not so new anymore in western countries, having been practiced for years now; it is enjoying popularity just now. Perhaps, this is because the idea of speed dating is more viable and much more needed now than before.

Speed dating, to those who are still clueless about the system, is a matchmaking process wherein people will meet and have a chance to talk for a short period of time. Often, people who join speed dating events are those who are also on the lookout for potential partners and relationships. This way, all people in the event know that everybody is serious about the dating process.

History speaking

Speed dating has its origins in the idea of Rabbi Yaacov Deyo of Aish HaTorah. He devised this way of dating for Jewish singles to meet each other and bond when in large cities such as New York where non-jews outnumber them. In fact, speeddating as a single word is a trademark that Aish has been using for his projects. The two-word speed dating phrase is a term used for other events with similar slant.

The first ever speed dating event happened in Beverly Hills in the late 1998. Because of good reviews, it became a commercial success and rapidly spread all throughout the United States. By the turn of he millennium, speed dating has become a by word in social circles especially after being portrayed in glamour shows like Sex and the City.

The process of speed dating

Speed dating start off with men and women on each side of the room. Each of these people will be given the chance to talk to the every member of the opposite sex in a series of short minute dates where they can talk about anything they want.

Often, the short dates will last from about three minutes to eight minutes depending on the organizer of the speed dating. These minutes are neither short nor long for people. Remember that you have to also take into consideration the discomfort that people who barely know each other will feel when forced to talk to each other. During the small talks, no one is allowed to give any numbers or other information apart from the names and other things that are not so personal.

After everyone has talked to everybody, the organizers will then ask the participants to submit to the organizers the list of people that they really like and would like to get to know more. These people are the ones they consent to give their number to. If the person one wants to get to know, also wants to get to know them, a match is made. Numbers will then be given to each one and it is up to them to set up their own dates so that they can get to know each other.

Speed dating, however is not done for free and to ensure that everybody in the event is legitimate, preregistration is encouraged. However, there are event organizers who allow walk ins to join the party. When you go to these events, make sure that the organizers are already established.