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Looking for love has never been easier in today’s digital age, but dating apps aren’t for everyone. Even with all of our fancy apps and tech, finding love in Australia isn’t a walk in the park.
That’s where speed dating comes in. It gives you more options than blind dating, plus it’s more fun than any app on your phone! It’s a great opportunity for you to meet new people, make new friends, and maybe even find a partner.
Here’s a couple of speed dating tips on getting started.
What Is Speed Dating?
Speed dating is an event where you can meet new people in a fun, low-pressure environment to meet, mingle, and (if you’re lucky) hit it off.
Speed dating was conceived in the late 90s as sort of a ‘proto-tinder’. The idea is to set up a room full of single people, play games, have fun, and see if any sparks fly!
That’s why you can find events like Christian speed dating, gay speed dating, lesbian speed dating, and even Asian speed dating anywhere in the country. It’s not something limited by region or place of residence—you’re just as likely to run into speed dating events everywhere from Sydney to Perth.
Why (And How To) Get Into Speed Dating
Admittedly, speed dating had a rough start when it first came out. People didn’t love the idea of ‘a date that ends in minutes’, and this lack of interest meant that it was a fairly niche activity.
But with the invention of the smartphone and online applications like Tinder, attitude towards speed dating (or the concept of casual dating in general) has become a lot more agreeable. Online dating is not only normal, but it’s extremely common, and smartphones and the internet have made meeting random new people far more acceptable than it was 20 years ago.
And preparing for a speed date is easy! Just tidy up how you dress, relax a little bit, and you’re prepared to meet people. While half of the speed dating experience is about finding romance, the other half is also about having a good time meeting new people!
Pros and Cons Of Speed Dating
Speed dating might be a quick and easy way for you to find romance, but it isn’t for everyone. Some people might prefer to meet their partner the old-fashioned way through family or friends, and others might prefer to keep their dating life strictly online.
Here’s a list we’ve compiled about some pros and cons when it comes to speed dating:
Pros
- You can easily drop in and out of events
- A relaxed and low-pressure environment to meet people
- Best way to meet a lot of people in a short amount of time
Cons
- Interactions may be too brief or limited
- Always the possibility of not having enough partners
- Maybe a little overwhelming to those who don’t like being in groups
Ultimately, it’s up to you to judge if speed dating is right for you. But don’t knock it till you’ve tried it at least once!
Where Can I Find Speed Dating Events Near Me?
It only takes a little bit of research to find speed dating events happening all over the country. The bigger cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane generally have more events; but you can even find speed dating events in smaller cities like Newcastle, Perth, and Adelaide.
Here are some websites and places that you can find that offer speed dating events/services:
- Spark Dating: an up-and-coming Melbourne speed dating service
- SpeedDatingAustralia: offering speed dating events and matches since 2005
- CitySwoon: meet your date on your own terms via text messaging matches
- Tinder: The undisputed leader for easily meeting new people in your area
- Bumble: A free service that’s a good alternative to Tinder
Of course, speed dating events also rely a lot on the season. You can expect to see a lot more of them around times like Valentine’s Day and shortly before Christmas. Some online speed dating or applications even hold special events of their own!
Final Thoughts
Speed dating might be a little nerve-wracking compared to the ease of online dating, but it’s also an opportunity for you to meet people who you might never chance upon in the online dating game. There are many paths to romance, so it’s always a good idea to keep an open mind!
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