Giddy, excited, and nervous energy bounced from wall to wall in what was called “The Women’s Holding Room,” at The Saltwater Grille on Tuesday night November 11th. Out of respect for ladies it would be unfair to let the single men possibly attack all at once. Anticipation is a good thing and order is definitely necessary when dealing with an imbalance of 24 women and 11 single men. This was not a usual night at the restaurant. This was the area’s first ever “Speed Dating Event.” Speed Dating? Isn’t that something that takes place in an episode of Sex in the City or at a bar in New Haven for 20 something’s? Yes.
So you get a score card with an itinerary of your mini date’s for the night and the ladies move from table to table where the men remain seated marked by a table number. Four minutes each until the bell rings. Less than a minute really is all it takes for a first impression. So men as a suggestion please stand up to greet your date. Men and women are armed with pencils to make notes and circle one of three choices: Friends, Business, or Romance. If you are not interested do not circle anything! A lot can happen in four minutes. You can make a great first impression and within the next two minutes ruin it. I have actually seen people erase a person they have circled an interest in. Many people choose to play the game differently. Some circle an interest in as many people as possible so that they have more of a chance of going on a second date. The rules of the game are that if both people do not circle an interest no contact information is exchanged. Other singles are a bit more serious looking for a real connection and circling only one interest the entire night. In that case hopefully the other person felt the same way or you will be going home empty handed. At the end of the night all of the score card’s are handed in to the facilitator, me, also known as “cupid.”
So what was the outcome of the evening? Over 54 matches were made! Most men and women were in the age range of 45-60. Many singles were widowed or divorced looking for a real love connection. Others were happy to just meet new friends to spend time with. One man thanked me for holding the event and told me he met his true soul mate. Sure it sounds a little cheesy but what’s the difference in speed dating or meeting for a cup of coffee on your lunch break with someone you meet on match.com when you really have already had three cups of coffee since nine AM and would rather just have a burger for lunch and cut to the chase. Like Matt Damon said in Good Will Hunting “Why don’t we just go out and eat some taffy’s together?” Taffy, coffee, or speed dating it’s really all about not leaving any rock unturned as one of the speed dater’s said. Sure you can wait until that special person comes along. But sometimes it is fun to put on your best outfit, curl your hair, and find out “Wow, eight men were interested in me for romance!” I must still be hot stuff!
The next speed dating will take place on Sunday January 20, 2009 at The Saltwater Grille. An afternoon brunch is planned to set the tone for sophisticated encounters. Reservations and more information may be made by calling the restaurant at 860.567.4900 or emailing swgcorporate@optonline.net.
