It is hard to meet someone nowadays. Despite having bars and clubs all over the metropolis, it is hard to find someone who is looking for something really serious. And with today’s people all focus on their careers, most have no time to go around and meet new people.

One of the ways to meet new people fast and easy is through speed dating, which is rapidly gaining popularity since its beginnings in 1998 in Beverly Hills.

The concept of speed dating was actually thought of by a Rabbi who devised the system to help his community of believers to get to know each other and bond despite being in a large city, where the jewish population is next to nil. The concept clicked and become so successful that it has been incorporated into the dating scene.

Speed dating is actually quite simple. Men and women who are interested in finding potential partners or even activity partners will have to register with a speed dating organizer. Often, people who join the events are those who are seriously interested in forming lasting relationships with other people. Because of this, one can be sure that people in the group have good intentions. This is important especially when dealing with people who do not have the time to play games like the rest of the pack that are lounging in bars.

Participants in the speed dating event will then be given the opportunity to talk to each of the participants from the opposite sex. There will be a series of mini-dates that will last anywhere from 3 minutes to 8 minutes depending on the organizers of the speed dating event.

They can ask any question or talk about any topic that they want. Often, even in these few minutes, they will be able to know if their personalities will click or not. No one is allowed to give any contact numbers and other personal information until after each of the mini-dates.
After the event, they will then submit a list of names, who they want to get to know more and have contact even after the event. If the person one has chosen also chose them, a match is made and these people will then be given the opportunity to maintain contact through an exchange in phone numbers.

One way to break the ice among strangers is of course to ask questions that are relevant and pertinent. Often, the questions that you will be asking during speed dating will also help you determine if there is a chance for a match or not. This is how crucial questions in speed dating are. Below are some dos and don’ts in formulating questions during mini-speed dating dates.

1. Ask questions that they can answer and not just nod to. This means that you should be asking questions that will not allow them to answer you with either a yes or a no. Use open-ended questions. This is one way to determine if they are good conversationalists.

2. Don’t ask serious questions that are just too deep or too personal to answer. Save those questions when you really got to know the person or when you are out on a date after the event.

3. Ask for their interests. It may seem too clichéd but at least you will be able to find out if your interests will click or if you have similar ones.