The speed dating experience
Karen Tableriou
Issue date: 4/1/09 Section: The Edge
Putting yourself out on the line to find a guy or girl is nerve-wracking. Most people, whether they want to admit it or not, have difficulty walking up to a person of the opposite gender and having a casual conversation. As a student, it feels weird looking for someone on online dating sites.
So where is a college student supposed to look for a relationship? The always classy-with-a-capital-K bars or house parties are options, but what if you wanted to meet someone who is not intoxicated? The University Union Board is giving this option in the form of speed dating.
I wasn't even looking for a date or new beau, and I still felt nervous. The point of speed dating is to meet a variety of new people and see if you "feel" any connection to them that would make you want to go on a real date.
With butterflies in my stomach, I sat down at an empty table and waited. That's the worst part, sitting out in the open, waiting for the event to start. Once the ball is rolling, though, things come naturally, but the lead up is a killer.
Along with nerves, I started feeling a bit down when guys were passing my table and I still didn't have a partner. Maybe I was giving off that "I don't really want to be here, but I have to because I'm a dedicated journalist" vibe. Whatever it was, a guy finally sat down at my table and the event began.
Standard questions were asked: what's your major, year in school, what movies and music do you like? I found it easy to immediately ask new questions after these lead-ins and had the guys on their toes. I dominated asking questions and wasn't very comfortable sharing too much information about myself. After all, the guys are still strangers.
Some of the guys were really nervous, which I found endearing. It's more comfortable and relaxing talking to someone who is just as nervous as you are than someone who is confident and sure of one's self. Others were socially awkward. I found it almost painful to talk to them, yet I endured and tried my best to get them talking.
So where is a college student supposed to look for a relationship? The always classy-with-a-capital-K bars or house parties are options, but what if you wanted to meet someone who is not intoxicated? The University Union Board is giving this option in the form of speed dating.
I wasn't even looking for a date or new beau, and I still felt nervous. The point of speed dating is to meet a variety of new people and see if you "feel" any connection to them that would make you want to go on a real date.
With butterflies in my stomach, I sat down at an empty table and waited. That's the worst part, sitting out in the open, waiting for the event to start. Once the ball is rolling, though, things come naturally, but the lead up is a killer.
Along with nerves, I started feeling a bit down when guys were passing my table and I still didn't have a partner. Maybe I was giving off that "I don't really want to be here, but I have to because I'm a dedicated journalist" vibe. Whatever it was, a guy finally sat down at my table and the event began.
Standard questions were asked: what's your major, year in school, what movies and music do you like? I found it easy to immediately ask new questions after these lead-ins and had the guys on their toes. I dominated asking questions and wasn't very comfortable sharing too much information about myself. After all, the guys are still strangers.
Some of the guys were really nervous, which I found endearing. It's more comfortable and relaxing talking to someone who is just as nervous as you are than someone who is confident and sure of one's self. Others were socially awkward. I found it almost painful to talk to them, yet I endured and tried my best to get them talking.
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