Top Tips

Singles Speed Date recommend reading through the following guidelines before attending an event.

Top Tips Table

Before The Event
  • Plan your journey in advance, car parking, public transport etc.
  • Read through your booking confirmation to familiarise yourself with the details of the event you will be attending.
  • Check your emails on the afternoon of an event in case there have been any changes.
  • Try to leave yourself enough time to arrive at the venue unflustered.
  • The majority of people attend our events on their own; we can introduce you to someone on arrival if you wish.
  • Try not to worry, everyone attending will be in the same boat as you, simply wanting to meet new people and maybe that special someone.
  • Do make an effort as first impressions are important.
  • What have you got to lose? Remember nothing ventured nothing gained!
At The Event
  • You may fancy a drink to give you some Dutch courage, but avoid drinking too much!
  • Smile, make eye contact, and act confidently, even if you are not normally a confident person, act as if you are.
  • Be honest, friendly and complimentary. Try to make an effort with every person you meet.
  • Limit the conversation about yourself; try to find out more about the other person. All people generally enjoy talking about themselves and feel flattered when someone shows an interest in them.
  • Try to ask a variety of questions:
    Questions that start with the following, Where, How, When, What, Why, Who, are called ‘open questions’ and can be used to obtain more information:

    Example, ‘How would your friends describe you?’

    However, questions starting with the following, Can, Are, Do, Is, Would, Have, Was, Will, are referred to as closed questions, and are often answered with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’:

    Example, ‘Do you come here often?’
  • Be aware of the impact of body language
    • Positive examples, leaning forwards, smiling, laughing, nodding, eye contact
    • Negative examples; crossing arms or legs, looking away or uninterested
  • Use the break and any time after the event to continue socialising. This gives you a second chance to make a fist impression!
  • You can prepare a few questions to ask your dates, but avoid reading them from a list!
  • Click here for an example of questions
After The Event
  • Remember to visit the website the day after the event to pick up your results.
  • If you do not have any matches, don’t worry! Different people attend each event, so please try again.
  • When you contact any matches for the first time, keep it brief, light hearted and maybe ask to meet up in the day for coffee / lunch and a chat, or an evening meal.
  • Please be courteous, if you receive an email or text message from a match always reply.  They have plucked up enough courage to contact you so be polite and respond.
  • We recommend that you meet in a public place, somewhere busy, well lit and central.
  • Always inform a friend of your whereabouts, and for extra safety arrange a time that you will call them during the date.
  • Do not give your address until you feel ready or rely on your date for your transport home.
  • Always trust your common sense and instinct!
 
TOP TIPS