Speed Dating...the latest craze in the dating game! 

Speed dating is the latest craze to hit the dating game in many states and countries all over the world. It's creator, an American Rabbi, created speed dating in 1998-99 and it has reached most metropolitan cities worldwide.

How does it work? Well, speed dating is just that...fast! The object is to get an even number of men and women together who all have the same objective... to meet a companion. They spend 7-10 minutes together, in a cafe, bar, restaurant or meeting centre, and with each wearing a name tag, and holding a 'score' card, couples are paired up, with the opportunity to talk to their date for 5-7 minutes, generally asking whatever questions they wish to know.

Following these 5-7 minutes, the bell rings, and just like musical chairs, the men get to move onto their next date, and start all over again with a new person! The speed daters can ask any questions, and they can score a 'yes' or 'no' next to their daters number. Once the scores are calculated, the daters are notified if there are any potential matches. If so, then they have the opportunity to exchange telephone numbers or email addresses. Simple as that.

So why is speed dating such a success? The answer, according to daters, is that they don't have the time to meet a partner in the conventional sense. Speed dating goes back to the basics, conversation and chemistry. If the conversation flows, the daters become comfortable, and get to ask questions of each other, questions they may find important to a relationship. Men and women all over the world are working longer hours, are staying in more often and not bar hopping. With speed dating there is the opportunity to meet up to as many people in a night as possible. While it may be a little repetitive having small talk many  times in a night, there are advantages and cost savings! Most who tried speed dating enjoyed it, and said they would try it again, and they liked the format, with 5-7 minutes being long enough if you don't have any chemistry, but long enough for someone you do enjoy talking to.

However, the flip side is that no everyone loves speed dating. Some women don't find it appealing in any way, and are more for the 'traditional' dating concept. Whatever your choices, it's worth a go, just for the fun of it at least!