At The Event

Relax

This is very important. Remember to keep in mind that everyone is there for the same reason: to meet like-minded individuals in Vancouver. If you're embarrassed about attending a speed dating event, keep in mind, everyone else is attending the same event!

A Positive Attitude

Arrive with a positive attitude and an open mind. Sometimes you will find a connection with a person whom you least expect. Sometimes you won't make a connection, but you may meet a few great friends. Keep your mind open.

Arrival & Survival

Introducing yourself is a vital tool. At an event, the majority of guests feel somewhat anxious when surrounded by people they don't know. Here are some helpful tips for personal introductions:

1. Eye Contact: Introduce yourself like you mean it. Look the person in the eye. Eye contact is important because it displays confidence and illustrates the start of a connection with the person with whom you are speaking. Your self-confidence is vital to introductions as is your ability to relate to the other person!
2. Smiling: A welcoming smile and fresh breath are both important. Your smile is your icebreaker; it draws people in because you present an aura of happiness and stability.
3. Handshakes: In Quebec and Europe, a common greeting is to give one kiss on each cheek. In Vancouver, people shake hands and drink lattes. A nice firm but relaxed handshake demonstrates your self confidence - but be sure you don't break the other person's arm - not a good start to your first date!
4. Names: Say your name and immediately ask for your theirs', then repeat the person's name while saying: "It's a pleasure to meet you, Paul," or "Nice to meet you, Margaret". Repeating the person's name will help you remember, as well as demonstrate that you care.

Conversations

You have successfully and sincerely introduced yourself. But now what? It seems that you're standing with a complete stranger and at a total loss for words. Let us help you... Ask the person about himself/herself. Everyone has hobbies, a family, or something in their refrigerator. Ask about common topics or general topics of interest. Remember that this is not a networking event, so try to steer clear of business talk.

Be Yourself

Don't try to be someone you are not. There are a ton of people out there who want to know who you are-so just be yourself.

Keep it Light

Remember that this is a first date and there are just some things you shouldn't talk about-past relationships, for example, are rarely a suitable topic. Speed dating is about meeting new people and not reminiscing about the ups and downs of your past relationships!

Sharing & Communication

Don't talk about other people at the event. Telling your date that your last two dates have been terrible is never a good move. Besides the fact that your current date does not want to know about your past dates, you never know who came with whom! You may have just insulted their best friend.

Leave the Business Deals at the Office

A recipe for awkwardness is to ask your date if they are going to check 'yes' to you. "I only want to check yes to you, if you are going to check yes to me" tells the other person that you are insecure and a poor gambler. In addition, no one likes to hurt others' feelings, so chances are the person is going to say yes regardless of what they actually do. Wait for your matches, you'll find out soon enough.

Yes vs. No

Don't check 'yes' to people you are not going to contact after the event. Keep this in mind when you check 'yes' to someone. Once you have checked someone as a 'yes', you at least owe them the courtesy of an email. Even if you met someone else at the event and things are going well, send your other matches an email just to say that you enjoyed meeting him/her, but unfortunately you have started seeing someone. Not responding at all just leaves people hanging on and wondering why you checked 'yes' if you can't even respond to an email-you would probably appreciate the same in return.

Drinking

Have a good time, but don't drink too much. A few drinks can be good to take the edge off, but if you end up getting hammered, that's what people are most likely going to remember about you.

This one is for the men: Be a gentleman!

Whether you had time to eat dinner or not, don't push by the women to grab some appetizers during the intermission. There is always plenty of tasty finger foods for your enjoyment but don't forget why you came. Inviting a women to go first is something that she will definitely take note of. Modern day chivalry is more well received than you may think.

TAKE NOTES!

We do our best to emphasize this at the event, and still, very few people take notes. When you get your matches the next day, you want to remember who your matches are. Nothing is more awkward than receiving an email and having to write back to find out which person it was-this move can end the relationship before it starts. In the notes section, write down each person's name and something next to their name that will help you to remember who they are. Keywords or phrases on what sticks out most such as "likes to golf" or "tall blonde teacher" will help you remember them. During the intermission, take a second to add to and revise your notes before attacking the appetizers.

Have Fun!

Don't take the event too seriously; it's meant to be fun. Keep in mind that having fun and smiling is an attractive quality. Smiling at each person when you first meet puts your date at ease right away and will make the five minutes much more comfortable regardless of the outcome.

An Ode to the Vancouver Dating Scene

Keep your thoughts about the hardships of dating in Vancouver or your lack of success with the online dating sites to yourself for the night. These are items to share with your close friends, not your date.

Hand in your Date card

At the end of the night, please be sure to hand in your Date card. You would be surprised how many people forget to do this! If you don't hand it in, we can't send you your matches.

Choosing to Stay and Chat

If things are going well at the end of the evening and you are still chatting with someone, we encourage people to ask others to stay and have another drink or go out for coffee. Five minutes often isn't enough time, so take time at the end if you need more. The intermission is also a good time to continue talking.

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