Speed dating advice: making eight minutes count
Good speed dating advice has to solve a specific problem: how do you learn anything real about a stranger in a handful of minutes without it feeling like a job interview. The format rewards a different skill set than app-based dating does.
Skip the small talk, use your questions on purpose
With limited time, generic questions like "what do you do?" waste a third of your round. Speed dating advice that actually helps points you toward one memorable question per person, something specific enough that you'll remember their answer later when you're reviewing your notes.
It's fine, and expected, to jot a one-line note after each round. Most organized events build in time for exactly that.
After the event
Mark matches based on genuine interest, not politeness. Marking everyone as a match to be nice just delays a harder conversation later and dilutes your actual picks.
Frequently asked
What's the best speed dating advice for someone going for the first time?
Prepare two or three specific questions in advance so you're not improvising small talk under time pressure for every single round.
Should I follow speed dating advice about taking notes?
Yes, a short note per person is standard practice and genuinely helps when you're reviewing matches afterward.
How honest should I be with my matches after speed dating?
Mark only genuine interest. Polite over-matching just creates more awkward follow-up messages later.
Related drawers
Ready to put this into practice?
Read the advice, then go put it to use. FindDates' partner platform is a straightforward place to start actual conversations.
Create a free profile