Speed dating and fairytales

Once upon a time in the streets of Beverly Hills a Jewish Rabbi Yaacov Deyo held the first ever ‘Speed Dating’ event to facilitate an environment to assist young Jewish men and women in the introduction of courtship.

Since 1988 the concept of speed dating has grown exponentially internationally and has been met with success. I myself am actually a veteran speed dater. Having speed dated in Sydney, London and New York (plus also meeting some great people along the way) I highly recommend the opportunity to singletons. However there is quite a stigma associated with meeting’s one’s partner this way and I would like to shed some light on this topic…

Presentation is everything

I found when first speed dating that presentation is everything. I would do my best to groom, dress and look impeccable! As they say, first impressions count! With increasing speed dating experience, I discovered that as looks take some consideration, the fairy tale requires a degree of personality and humanity; after all Prince Charming did choose Cinderella and not her step-sisters (yes, they are acknowledged as ‘ugly’ but I think Hans Christen Anderson meant ugly personality!).

Furthermore, on my side, I selected yes to men of pleasant dispositions and good humour, over men of looks sprinkled with arrogance and wooden personalities; as if you choose to grow old with someone, don’t you want to laugh and be merry all the way? Happily ever after doesn’t mix with conceited egotism!

Later I began facilitating speed dating events…this allowed me more insight into the activity. It’s quite an interesting foray of people who attend and watching the introductions and meetings develop is practically an anthropological study!

Princes, fairy godmothers and wicked step-mothers

You always get the fairy godmothers, the ladies who attend to support their friends, yet they are secretly hoping to find their Prince Charming also. Then you have the princesses, they are groomed and ready to meet and assess the CVs of the princes attending.

Next you have the friends of the prince, the knight, the nice and normal guy who are looking for a nice normal girl. Lastly, you have the wicked step-mother, these ladies consider every girl their competition, they arrive and assess their competitors and are typically very unfriendly and are there to meet men and NOT make friends. With all these characters in the room you are wondering how one finds the happily ever after?

Well, the fairytale does exist

Prince Charming knows what he wants in his princess… the knights seek their match and the fairy godmothers find a date! Yes, it’s a low strike rate, but there is a strike rate, so the more you attend the higher your chances are. Sitting at home and watching Foxtel or meeting 12 people in one evening – which gives you a better chance of meeting your match? Its not neurosurgery but it does require courage to put yourself out there. However, if you never try, you never know.

So, when does happily ever after happen? When you least expect – but don’t expect Cinderella or Prince Charming to come knocking on the door during your evening Foxtel session…get on your horse and start hunting!