Hello, Sofia.I had just read your article in the Herald-Outlook about speed dating, and I was wondering if you knew how I could find some places that are hosting speed dating? Do they cost anything, and if so how much?Martin, University DistrictHello, Martin.Happy to help another searching single, especially as it's in my best interest to have more men attend these things.The best way I know to find speed-dating events is to keep eyes and ears open, and keep a firm grasp on your patience.The most promising events are, of course, the hardest to find. Singles' or social organizations that you may already belong to will occasionally organize speed-dating events among members. I've been invited through my church, within my neighborhood and at a dance club. Unfortunately, the events were either scheduled on a night I couldn't attend or among people younger than myself.The benefits lie in the preexisting shared interests among attendees and that these organizations work locally and off-line (usually). The drawback is the scarcity of such events.While I wait, I fall back on the Internet.Some speed-dating companies offer events to members, such as www.fastlife.com and www.seattledates.net. They require preregistration, and their events are by invitation only.There are also on-line singles' organizations that advertise speed dating as one of several events they organize. These include www.great-expectations.com or www.overfortysingles.com. These organizations do some screening and matching - big benefits! OK, so it's not so hot for those who get screened out, but for the rest of us, it's nice to know the people you meet might actually be whom they say they are. A drawback is cost, as screening and matching increases the price. Additionally, as paranoid as I am about giving personal information to Internet companies, hesitant doesn't come close to my reaction here.UPCOMING EVENTSTwo straight speed-dating companies have events scheduled for Seattle in the near future: www.hurrydate.com and www.cupid.com. Another, www.frequencydates.com, has one event listed on its site, a Valentine's Day party in 2010.These companies charge a flat fee of $35 to $45, depending on the event and how early you book (we overplanners can get a cheaper price).I like the flexibility of attending speed-dating events with different companies to meet a different group of people each time. Also, if one company doesn't offer an event when you want it, another might. The drawback is stranger danger: All these companies can promise is to introduce you to others who had access to a credit card that worked at one time.A couple of these companies, such as www.8minutedating.com, aren't currently operational in Seattle right now. The 8-Minute Dating website advertises for an event organizer. If you need a new career, this could be an innovative way to meet other singles.Whatever path you pursue, remember speed dating requires patience. Wait for the right event. Finding an event with people geared to your age range or interests may take a while. The Hurry Date website suggests age ranges aren't set in stone. If you want to attend an event among those older (or younger) they won't tell. In my opinion, since most people choose speed dating to avoid chatting up ineligible matches, this seems a little counter-productive.GET OUT THERE!In the end, speed dating probably won't guarantee a solution to all your dating woes. However, it is another way to meet women who are interested, interesting and - more likely than not - single.Good luck!Sofia lives in North Seattle. She can be reached at needitor@nwlink.com.[[In-content Ad]]
