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What is speed dating?
Speed dating is the new, fun, no pressure way to date in today’s fast paced society. It is a popular alternative to bar hopping and internet dating because it provides the opportunity to meet and visit with other singles in a safe and comfortable environment. Speed dating combines a glimpse of personality, smiles, chemistry, and a chance to ask a few questions.
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How does Start With A Date work?
Start With A Date organizes speed dating events for various age groups.
First, locate an event in your age group that you would like to attend. You need to register in advance of the event. It is recommended you register early because with a limited number of participants allowed, the event can fill up quickly. When you arrive at the event, you will check in and receive a name and identification number tag, in addition to a datecard. An equal number of men and women – usually about ten of each – gather together at the event location. Most of the time, the meeting area is filled with “tables for two”. One woman will be seated at each table. Initially, a man will be paired up with his first date. You will be allowed eight minutes to ask each other questions. At the end of the allotted time, a bell will ring, signaling the end of the date. After each “date”, you will discreetly check ‘yes' or ‘no' by the name and identification number on the datecard indicating whether you wish to see this person again. The men will then rotate to the next date and begin again.
At the end of the evening, the datecards will be given to the Start With A Date organizers. If two participants “match up,” by both checking yes, indicating they are interested in meeting again, Start With A Date will contact each participant within 24 hours with the contact information (only that information which you authorize us to release). After that it is up to you!! We encourage both participants to contact one another. After all, you already know they are interested in hearing from you.
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Is 8 minutes really enough time?
Yes! The chemistry between two people occurs within the first few minutes of meeting. Eight minutes is just enough time for you to get a feeling for the person and tell what kind of character they have. You can tell from their body language, eye contact and conversation. Then you can decide if you want to spend more time with this person - whether or not you click.
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What kind of people go speed dating?
When you come to a speed dating event, you'll find that there are lots of other people out there, just like you, who are too busy to meet the right people, too shy, or just looking to meet others in a relaxed and natural way. They’re single men and women from all sorts of career backgrounds who just aren’t meeting other singles through their work or immediate circle of friends. They may even be people who have just moved to the area looking for friends and maybe a relationship. |
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How do I register for an event?
Just click on the event that you would like to sign up for. In order to attend, you must register and pay in advance. You may pay by credit card or debit card. Events sell out FAST so don't wait to get your registration in for an event. If you are interested in attending more than one event, you must register for each event separately. |
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Can I register at the door?
No. Advanced, on-line or mailed registrations are required in order to confirm who is coming so the event can be organized with an equal number of men and women, and so that we can provide all participants with the best possible experience. However, you can always contact us to see if there are last minute cancellations.
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What if the event I want to attend is full?
We can add you to our waiting list. Please feel free to contact us and let us know which event you are interested in attending. Occasionally, due to unforeseen circumstances, an individual may be unable to attend the event they had registered for. We can then offer this spot to someone on the waiting list. We will contact you if an opening occurs for an event you are interested in.
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Where are speed dating events usually held?
Our venues are carefully chosen to ensure comfort and safety. The events are usually held at various restaurants, clubs or bars in the city. To provide a comfortable environment, we strive to hold our events in a separate room or a segregated area of the facility. On occasion, to accommodate a very large group or a themed event, we may host an event in a banquet or meeting room in a local hotel.
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When should I arrive at the event?
Check-in begins 15 minutes prior to the start of the event. Please plan to arrive early. The event will start promptly at the scheduled time.
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What should I wear?
Since you are making a first impression, we recommend casual dress wear but something that makes you feel comfortable as well. The main thing is to be confident and to be yourself. You want someone to be attracted to you for who you really are.
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How long does a speed dating event last?
Typically a speed dating event will last approximately one and one half to two hours. However, the length of time of the event may vary depending upon the number of participants for the event. Of course, you are welcome to stay at the bar/restaurant/venue after the event is over.
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My age is not within the recommended age group for the event. Can I attend anyway?
We encourage you to come to the event that is closest to your age as you will more likely get the most matches at those events. We also want all participants to be comfortable with the group for the event. Please choose a Start With A Date event that is within the age range you wish to date and in which you will personally fit.
If you prefer to date older or younger than yourself, then we suggest that you choose an age group where you are either on the top or bottom of the age range.
If you are one or two years outside of the age group for a particular event, you may select that event. However, if you are much more or less than that, then as suggested above, we suggest choosing an age group where you are either on the top or bottom of the age range. This will ensure everyone has the experience they are expecting.
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What happens if there is an unequal number of men and women?
We will do everything possible to ensure that there will be an equal number of men and women at each event. On occasion, there may be a last minute cancellation by a participant due to unforeseen circumstances. If there is an unequal number of men and women, the event will continue and someone will have to sit out for a round. During that time, a Start With A Date organizer will visit with you, or you can order a drink, relax, or just take a break.
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What happens if there is not enough people signed up for the event?
If we have a sufficient balanced number of men and women, we will not cancel an event. However, based on the number of registrations, at the discretion of Start
With A Date, an event may be rescheduled and the total registration fee will be refunded to each participant. Or, by the participant’s election, the registration fee will be transferred to another event.
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What happens after the speed dating event?
You will receive an e-mail within 24 hours with a list of matches who are interested in hearing from you. If you do not have e-mail, we will contact you by telephone to provide the contact information of your matches. It will be up to you to follow up with them directly. If you do not match with another participant, we will notify you that there were no matches for you this time.
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What information will be exchanged with my matches?
On the datecard, you will enter the contact information you want us to give your matches. Usually it is an e-mail address and/or a cell phone number. We only give out your contact information to matches that wish to see you again, not anyone else.
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What if I get no response from a match?
We recommend that you wait a couple of days before re-contacting them. There may be a reason that they were unable to respond immediately. To prevent any misunderstanding, we ask that everyone be courteous and reply to contacts from your matches – even if you have changed your mind. |
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What if I don't find a match?
Sometimes, people don't make matches. The truth of the matter is that you can't connect with everyone and maybe the night just wasn't right. For example, we have had participants who have gone to two events and did not make any matches. They did not give up and found that the third time was a charm and made several matches! Sometimes finding that special person can be a numbers game and there are always new people attending these events. If you do not meet that special person at a Start With A Date event that you have attended, please register for another event. We will host many events at different bars/restaurants/venues.
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How many speed dating events can I attend?
You are welcome to attend as many events as you wish. Most people that attend events are new to speed dating, however you may meet one or two people that you have seen before, but the majority will be new faces. In the case that there are more than two individuals that you met at a previous event, also registered for the next event as you, we would make every effort to contact you about your registration.
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What do I do if I am having trouble registering?
If you are having difficulty registering online, please feel free to contact us for assistance or to have a registration form mailed to you.
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I didn’t receive a registration confirmation or match notice. Why not?
It is possible that your e-mail server sent these notices to your bulk or spam folder. This is especially true if you have a yahoo, hotmail, or similar e-mail address. To minimize this problem, we suggest that you add our e-mail address (info@startwithadate.com) to your contact list to ensure that you receive all correspondence from us.
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What if I need to cancel?
You may cancel at any time, for any reason by sending a written notice of cancellation to Start With A Date via email at info@startwithadate.com. You may also submit a cancellation notice using the contact us link or, you may call Start With A Date at 701-391-3539. Any cancellation notice received 72 or more hours prior to the scheduled time of the event, will be entitled to a refund of your money paid, minus a $5 processing fee. Any cancellation notice received less than 72 hours before the scheduled time of the event will not be entitled to a refund. This policy allows us to ensure a good balance of men and/or women at each event. If you find that it is less than 72 hours prior to the event and you are unable to attend, please let us know.
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What are the requirements to attend a Start With A Date speed dating event?
• You must be at least twenty-one years of age.
• You must be single or legally separated.
• You must have read and agreed to our terms and conditions.
• You must have registered prior to the event.
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Are there any special rules for the event?
• To keep the event secure, comfortable and relaxed for everyone, certain topics are
not allowed at Start With A Date events:
* You may not ask for or give out contact information (e.g. last name, phone
number, e-mail address, place of work).
* You may not ask sexually explicit questions or say anything that might
be interpreted as threatening or as sexual harassment; or use inappropriate or
vulgar language.
* You may not ask someone if they are going to check ‘yes' or ‘no' for your date.
* You may not ask any personal financial information.
• No skipping dates. You may know that you aren't going to click with someone, but
it is expected that the same respect and courtesy that you receive be extended to
someone else.
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