Firstly I’ll explain the concept of speed dating. Speed dating is an organised matchmaking process or dating system whose aim is to encourage people to meet a large number of new people (Wikipedia 2010). To put it simply it is all about having fun whilst meeting a large number of single guys and girls in one night within safe surroundings.

Recently Manchester has seen an abundance of speed dating events for all different ages and social groups and none more so than young professionals (yuppies) who work long hours and have limited social time to find their a partner.

After hosting many events in and around Manchester, there are a number of benefits to people using speed dating in Manchester:

·         Speed dating removes the most common barriers associated with normal dating - the difficulty of finding new people, the awkwardness of the first meeting, and the time wasted finding out that the person you're dating isn't right for you.

·         Speed dating is one of the most fun and exciting approaches to meeting your potential sole mate

·         It a cost effective method as there is nothing worse than wasting money on normal dates when after five minutes you know that the person is not right for you.

·         All the people taking part in the speed dating event are there for the same reason.

·         First impressions are extremely important and speed dating enables you judge a person before asking them out on a real date.

The majority of speed dating events in Manchester are usually young professionals. The people present tend to be normal everyday people who are attractive and who rarely have the opportunity to meet lots of new people within their social circles.

If you’re finding this article interesting here is how a speed dating event works.  On arrival to the event your host will collect your details and you will be issues with a personalised badge showing a number. Once the speed dating starts, those with the same badge numbers will start at the same table. After five minutes of getting to know the person, the host will ring the bell, the guys will move round one table. This continues until everyone has met each other. If you like a person and would like to see them again, use your speed dating ticket to note this. At the end you submit this information to the host and then contact details are forwarded onto the relevant parties.

A couple of speed dating tips you should take on board before going to an event:

• Be yourself
• Try to relax, it’s not a test!
• Have fun
• Smile
• Be an attentive listener

Manchester Speed dating is definitely something you should try, it will give you the opportunity to meet like mind people from in and around Manchester. Chatting to other speed daters, you are bound to have a good time and you never know you might meet the person of your dreams.

If you are still not convinced here are a couple of feedback comments from people who have attended the sessions I have hosted, and this is just a taste:

•  "I was very nervous about going speed dating, I shouldn't have been, I had such fun!" - Jill

• "What a great night! I'd never heard of speed dating until my friend reserved me a place on a speed dating night with her. I met several nice people - some I wouldn't mind seeing again! I would recommend it to anyone who likes to have fun." - Liz 
   
• "Thank you for a incredible evening, I met some really friendly 'speed dates' and hopefully one very special one, fingers crossed! Thanks again." Simon
   
• "Thank you for a great evening last night. I met some fascinating people and hopefully made some new friends. The camaraderie amongst the women was great. We all had something in common and the conversations in the women’s loos were hilarious." - Jane