1.  Be prepared.
During speed dating the funny thing is that you are only given 6-10 minutes to decide whether you are keen to pursue a relationship with he person on the other side of the table.  For the beginner if can seem like normal dating crossed with a job interview and then pumped with steroids!  It’s important that you have prepared a short ‘personal infomercial’ about yorself.  Memorize it and be ready to recite it at short notice but only when prompted.  Make sure that it highlights your positive aspects and is very brief- girls are bored by guys who continuously talk about themselves.

2.  Ask open-ended questions

“What is your name?” or “What is the time?” are questions that require a specific and generally short answer. An open-ended question is one that does not require a specific answer, and prompts them to continue or to tell you more. “In what way…” or “Why do you say…” and “When you said… did you mean…” are examples. Open ended questions often use words like why or how, and not who, where or when.

3.  Top questions
Make sure you have answers to some of the common questions:

• what do you do for fun?
• why did your last relationship end?
• where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• what do you do for work?
• what are you most proud of in your life?

Try to make your answers a little bit fun and flirty but be careful, you don’t want to be seen as a joker or a sleaze.

• what is your favourite number?
• if you could have any car int he world, which one would it be?
• what’s your idea of a perfect vacation/ holiday?
• if you had an extra day in your week how would you spend it?

5.  Be confident
Speed dating can be a nerve wracking experience and it is important to feel confident even if you are nervous as hell on the inside.  The key is really ‘fake it ’til you make’.   Make sure you introduce yourself clearly at the beginning of your speed date and it use her name a few times during the conversation.  People love the sound of their own name and it will show that you respect and value her company.

6.  Smile and look approachable
It takes 26 muscles to smile and 62 to frown.  A warm smile will make you look friendly and approachable.  You may need to practice your smile in the mirror to make sure that it looks natural.  Studies have shown that first impressions are made within seconds and affect how we approach and respond to a person.  Leave the slouching and crossed arms for nights when you are alone.  Needless to say, clean clothes and groomed hair are a must and go a little easy on the pre-event drinks.

7.  Be positive and laugh
Expect to have fun and your body language will follow.  There is nothing more boring or off putting than a whinger.  Laughter is infectious and a good laugh projeccts you as a vibrant, fun and energetic person.

8. Hands off
Some women are OK with the touchy-feely approach but many will be horrified if you try to man handle them.  Keep your paws to yourself at least until you have established a reasonable connection and the feelings appear to be mutual.

9.  Maintain eye contact
It can be very easy to let your eyes wander around the room or down a plunging neckline.  There is nothing more off-putting or sleazy than a guy who can’t stop staring at your chest.

10.  Read the signs
If you find someone attractive, make sure that you gauge her interest so that future dating arrangements can be made.  If she smiles, gives you glances from across the room or makes suggestive movements such as touching her hair, lips or neck when she is talking to you then there is a good chance that feelings are mutual.  If you are able to get her details at post speed dating drinks then its best done then rather than waiting for the company to post you the results.

For those of you who haven’t tried speed dating I encourage you to give it a go.  Go with 1 or 2 friends, no more, and make sure that they are not going to be drunk or obscene as this will reflect upon you.  Speed dating is fantastic fun and a great way to meet interesting singles in you local area.

Happy dating!

Alexa xxx

P.S. Be sure to read my comprehensive list of speed dating questions.

Related posts:

1. 10 Things A Man Should Do On The First Date
2. Text Message Etiquette
3. Speed Dating Icebreakers

Speed Dating Icebreakers!

Here’s a short list of questions you can use as conversation starters at your next speed dating appearance.  The best questions are those that are open and allow her to describe and expand on her answers. I love dating icebreakers.

Make sure you have yours ears wide open and ready to listen!

• how did you spend last weekend?
• what do you do for fun/ to keep life interesting?
• can you tell me what you are most passionate about?
• would you say you are a city, mountain or beach person? why?
• what type of movies to you enjoy watching?
• what do you do for a living/ to keep yourself out of mischief?
• what are the most important qualities you look for in a person?
• if you met a genie who could grant you 3 wishes, what would they be?
• which 3 people would you invite as guests to a dinner party?
• if you won the lottery, how would you spend it?
• can you tell me about your most memorable moment?
• if you were to be banished to a deserted island, what 3 things would you pack ?
• what is the most reckless thing you have ever done?
• what do you think people see as your best qualities?
• where would you go on your ideal holiday?
• what’s the one place you have travelled to yet but really want to experience?
• what is your favourite type of food?
• which song do you think best sums you up?
• what moments of your life have taken your breath away?

This is just a short list to help start your next speed dating conversation.  Dating icebreakers are a must – they will get you out of sticky situations.  There are plenty more I am sure you can come up with.  Be careful not to unleash a rapid fire barrage of questions as this will make her feel like she is being interrogated by the FBI.  Listen to the answers and allow her to ask you questions too.  This allows you to gauge her level of interest in you and it’s the relation part of relationship!

Happy dating!

Alexa xxx

Related posts:

1. 10 Things A Man Should Do On The First Date
2. Singles Speed Dating
3. The “Don’ts” Of Dating Women