Get To Know 8 Minute Dating

Seeking Love…In Just Sixty-four Minutes

"Ding! Ding! Ding" The sound of the bell signals all twenty-eight people to get up from their chairs and switch tables. Each of them is holding a drink, and they all consult the card in their hand to see where they go next. The tables are two-tops, in rows. The lights in the restaurant are lit for mood, and beside the candle on each table is a large tent card sporting a number, one through fourteen. To the outside observer, there seems to be some confusion as people find their next table, but in reality it's all carefully orchestrated (and computer-generated). The veritable din of small talk quiets temporarily, only to quickly work back up to a crescendo once everyone is re-seated.

No, despite appearances, it's not a game of musical chairs for grown-ups. It's the up-and-coming dating scene for the new millennium: 8-Minute Dating.

I look around as the noise level rises again. Most people are in animated conversation, at least appearing that they are interested in what their date has to say. I overhear bits and pieces …"I'm originally from Ohio…" "I work in publishing…" "what kind of sports do you play?"

This evening the event is taking place at McFadden's, one of the flagship bar/restaurants in Baltimore's hip Power Plant Live complex. This being a Monday night, the rest of the joint is virtually empty, save a few tables of innocent diners, just in for a bite or a beer.

8Minute Dating is a international company that sponsors these "speed dating" events all over the country. It's an opportunity to meet 8 people, for 8 minutes each. Participants are given a card and encouraged to write comments about the people they would like to see again, whether it be for dating, friendship, or even business networking. After the event, they can log on to the website to state their preferences. If the preferences match up, the pair are connected, and then it's up to them. All for the bargain price of just $28.88 per person, including buffet dinner.

Each person meets eight other people for eight minutes each, but other opportunities exist to meet everyone. There is time for mingling before and after the 64 minutes of chit-chat, as well as a 20-minute "halftime" break. People can be identified only by their first name and a number, exhibited on name tags.

This is the kickoff event for Baltimore, run by Lori Hill, an 8Minute Dating organizer for the Baltimore-Washington corridor. What made Lori, a freelance event coordinator, get involved in running 8Minute Dating? "I'm 36 and single," Lori says, "and tired of the bar scene myself. Here, people come together for a common purpose, and you are guaranteed to meet at least 8 people!" She goes on to compare this type of dating event to online dating, like Match.com. "that works great for some people," she says, "but for people like me, the in-person chemistry is important." She adds, " if you don't like someone, you only have to talk to them for a very short time….if you do like them, you can talk more during the mingling or contact them after the event."

"Time is such a commodity these days, everyone is so busy," comments one of the bystanders, just for dinner but watching with interest. "This is the perfect way to fit meeting new people into your schedule."

The bell rings again, signaling the 20-minute halftime. I catch up with a few participants in between their mingling. "This is far better than I expected," says Jenn (#712). "It's easy to fill 8 minutes of conversation, and it's fun, too."

"It's not a meat market," adds her friend Kristine( #713), "everyone here has the same intention, just to meet new people." Would she do it again? "Sure," she says, "in fact, we are the guinea pigs for the rest of our friends…they said they would do it if we liked it."

Debbie (#706), says "it's great to actually learn about someone, even in such a short period of time." Adds Kristina: "I've actually had a different conversation with all four, rather than the same one four times."

The bell rings again, signaling the commencement of date number Five. The crowd moves back over to the numbered tables to find their places. I look over the card that's given to each participant at the beginning of the night. On it are listed rules and guidelines. (included are: relax, have fun, and keep an open mind!) The bottom half of the card has a grid, with space for the name and number of each of the eight dates, another space for "reminders", and check-off columns to indicate if you would like further contact with the person for dating, friendship, or business.

The bell rings one last time, signaling the end of the 8th date. Participants are welcome to stay and mingle, and it doesn't look like anyone is going anywhere. If I had to guess from people's smiles, there will be no shortage of connections made here tonight. Connections that might not have been made anywhere else. Quite a bargain for under $30!

For more information about events in the Washington/Baltimore area, log onto http://erlang.voxel.net/.