Need for Speed: Full Throttle on the Dating Circuit

It felt like high school all over again. The girls were cordoned off on one side of the room, the boys on the other. Everyone avoided each other’s eyes, some nervous, others simply too proud.

For the evening, we were united in a common goal: a chance at finding true love. … Or, um, perhaps just sex.

It quickly became clear that not everyone’s motives were noble. But although I was expecting only the type of men who couldn’t find women under normal circumstances, a refreshingly diverse group showed up. Short to tall, slim to chunky, Chinese to European – the selection of both men and women ran the whole gamut. Most importantly, no one seemed all that socially awkward.

I reviewed the “program” they’d handed out to us. Ordinarily, they host 14 men and women; that night, being the day after Halloween festivities, was short on attendees.

Fine by me – I’m indecisive enough as is. Each name was accompanied by four choices: “Let’s date,” “Friends first, then date,” “Just friends,” or “Not a match.” Fishbowl Events organizer Ola encouraged me to jot down notes about the men as they came by, in case I lost track of who they were.

A tinkling bell announced that the first of nine dates was to begin. All the women retreated to their designated lounge seats, while new men shuffled by every six minutes. Before long all the faces and names began to blur together – at which point, scribbles such as “German engineer” or “From Hong Kong, wearing scarf” became crucial to my understanding of the night.

Sometimes six minutes felt like forever; other times it passed painlessly. I became increasingly impressed with the system as the night went on. Each date was just long enough to size up a person and determine compatibility, while also brief enough to prevent any awkward lulls in conversation.

We covered the same topics each time – why we’d come to Beijing, what we’re doing here, what our hobbies are – yet the interactions remained lively, somehow. If you think this sounds reminiscent of networking events, you’re right – though I’d venture to say that speed dating is less dirty. At least everyone’s intentions are unveiled from the very beginning.

I felt worn but accomplished after the final date – no one could say I hadn’t had a productive night. I’d met nine new people in just 48 minutes, and even found time to squeeze in a snack of complimentary bruschetta and cheesecake.

A couple days later, I received an e-mail with my results. And a couple hours later, an e-mail from one of the men I’d marked as “Just friends,” pressing me to reconsider.

Who was I to judge, anyway? Let the games begin.

Fishbowl Events hosts speed dating and networking events every month. Details at www.fishbowlevents.com.