Nervous About Speed Dating? 7 Things That Make It Easier

If the thought of walking into a room full of strangers and going on a series of mini-dates sounds a little daunting, you're definitely not alone.

A lot of people who come to Weston Club's speed-dating events arrive feeling nervous. Some haven't dated in years. Some are tired of dating apps. And some simply aren't used to starting conversations with strangers. The good news? You don't have to be naturally confident or brilliant at small talk to enjoy speed dating.

Here are a few things that can make your first night much easier.

1. You don't need an opening line
There's no need to think of something clever to say. You're both there for exactly the same reason, so you already have something in common. Start simply. Ask about their week, what they enjoy doing at weekends, where they're from, or what brought them along to the event.

2. Remember that they're probably nervous too
It's easy to imagine that everyone else will be confident and relaxed while you're the nervous one. In reality, lots of people feel exactly the same way. Once the first conversation gets going, the nerves usually disappear surprisingly quickly.

3. Don't try to impress everyone
Speed dating isn't an interview. You don't need to tell someone everything interesting about yourself in a few minutes. Just have a normal conversation and see how you get on. The aim isn't to make every person like you. It's to find out whether there's a connection with someone.

4. Ask questions — but let the conversation flow
Questions are useful, but you don't want it to feel like an interrogation. If someone mentions that they love travelling, for example, ask where they've been. If they tell you they have a dog, tell them about yours. The best conversations are usually the ones where you both forget you're speed dating.

5. Don't decide too quickly
Someone might not be exactly what you expected from their first impression — and that's okay. Give yourself permission to simply enjoy the conversation without immediately deciding whether they're "the one". Sometimes a connection develops when you least expect it.

6. Come on your own if you don't have anyone to come with
You definitely don't need a group of friends to attend. Many people come alone, and once the conversations begin, you'll quickly have plenty of people to talk to. In fact, coming alone can be a great way to push yourself slightly outside your comfort zone.

7. Give it a chance
You won't necessarily meet your perfect match at your first event. But you might meet someone interesting. You might make a new friend. You might discover that dating isn't as intimidating as you thought. And sometimes, you only need one good conversation.

Ready to give it a try?

We have three upcoming speed-dating events in Galway, with different age groups, so there's a good chance there's one that's right for you. If you've been thinking about coming along but haven't quite built up the courage yet, perhaps this is the month to give it a go.

You never know who might be sitting across from you.

Warm regards,
Caroline