Sally Siner wonders if speed dating is really the way forward?

With only three minutes to suss out your date should it be 'A little less conversation, a little more action'?

Sociologists say we judge a person just 30 seconds after meeting them. I pondered this fact on my way to the speed-dating event held at Casa on Irongate on Wednesday night.

"Surely I'm not that shallow," I thought, "I mean, didn't it take me three months to realise the finer qualities of my last partner before making a move on him?"

Well speed-dating allows no time for such deliberation, three minutes to chat to each member of the opposite sex was all we were afforded.

At the start of the evening prior to the actual 'dating' the women all seemed to be bonding well despite having only just met and generally having a good laugh.

Most of the men were standing round the edges of the room talking (clinging?) to the mate they'd come along with.

"Anyone who looks at all like Elvis - we all have to tick yes!" said the lovely Steph, who also offered the intuitive advice that "you can tell a lot about a man by his choice in childrens' TV programmes".

Most people at the event were speed-dating virgins (or at least said they were) and generally anticipated having a laugh and meeting people.

"I don't expect to meet Mr Right, but Mr Alright would be a start" was one girl's attitude.

There was a real mix of people - most of the women appeared to me to be attractive and intelligent (but maybe I'm biased being one of them).

In terms of the men, we had Mr Sporty, Mr Funny, Mr Tasty that you were looking forward to speaking to but turned out to be excessively dull, Mr Pretty-Damned Scary (he who must not be named) who was desperate to tell you about his stuffed budgerigar collection and penchant for toga parties (three minutes suddenly seemed like a very long time...), Mr I've-got-my-rehearsed-questions-and-I'm-not-afraid-to-use-them.

This latter guy began with the opener: "So Sally, what most fascinates you?" "Not you" I thought and so replied, "My son" by way of a deterrent.

The wise elders of the event (the organisers) were absolutely lovely in an almost parental way (though not as old so don't be offended Adrian & co!).

I got the feeling that they'd like nothing better than a trip to Debenhams to buy a new hat...

After the event I chatted to quite a few of the 'daters' and most agreed that they'd had a fantastic evening.

Despite my preconceptions to the contrary, it seemed that the men were just as discerning in their tastes as the women - I estimated an average of three or four people that each dater ticked 'yes' to (of a possible 14).

The elders then took all these ticks away and promised to inform us all of how many matches (people who'd both ticked yes to each other) we had individually, within a couple of days.

I saw the lovely Steph again at the end - she hadn't found her Elvis, but she had enjoyed her night. True to her word, she'd asked about kids' TV favourites - one He-man had come out of the woodwork, but thankfully, no Teletubbies.

I myself had an unexpectedly entertaining and interesting evening. I met some great people - men and women.

In terms of my 'yes' votes - I only chose two - the first just because he made me laugh and the second for being really quite sexy.

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Cathleen Jennings

There were a total of 50 matches between the daters who attended the ilovespeeddating.com event last Wednesday. Someone actually got 6 matches so they are going to be busy! Thanks to all who took part. The next event is at Casa on the Wed 30th July. (Posted by Organiser)

Adrian
Quorn Leics