Speed dating etiquette

Here is roughly how a speed dating event works, though the intricacies could vary from event to event.

i. Men and women, usually working professionals, in the age group of 24 to 34 are brought together for an evening of face-to-face interactions.

The number could alternate between 20 and 30 couples.

ii. At the venue, you will find a series of tables lined up. Each table has a couple of chairs.

Hence, the number of women must match the number of men. Else, as they say, three is a crowd.

You will be given a sheet of paper to make notes. The idea is to help you keep track of anyone you take a fancy to. Now take a seat with your first 'date' for the evening.

iii. A gong goes off. Your time begins.

This is your cue to interact with your partner.

You have between three and five minutes to ask your partner anything and vice versa.

Interests, backgrounds, salaries, quirks -- take your pick. Don't forget to note down your partner's name on your sheet before you begin.

You could also make notes based on what you feel about your current partner.

Key words -- like 'bad breath', 'bombshell', 'arrogant', 'well-travelled' and 'scuba diver' -- do well to help you juggle your memory at the end of the session.

v. When your time is up, the gong goes off again.

Now, place a tick or a cross on your sheet next to your date's name.

The former signifies you would like to meet the person again. The latter, of course, means you are not interested.

Exercise discretion while doing this, so you don't hurt any feelings.

Don't linger at your date's table forever. As the emcee quips, "It is not a wedding bell, so get on with it!"

vi. Time to chat up your next date.

The men play musical chairs, while the ladies sit pretty and await the next man.

Remember the face-off between the belligerent Will Smith and the feisty Eva Mendes in the Hollywood film, Hitch? The venue is a speed dating event, furiously in progress.

vii. By the end of the session, you meet 20 to 30 singles in a span of 60 to 110 minutes!

The next day, you will receive a mail notifying you of perfect matches, along with the respective e-mail ids.

These are people who placed a tick mark on their sheets. You would have done the same for them, of course.

Now, it is up to you and your suitor/s to take the liaison forward and steer it in the right direction.