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Home Blog GENTLEMAN: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS DISSEMINATED ON A NEED TO KNOW BASIS. AND YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW

GENTLEMAN: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS DISSEMINATED ON A NEED TO KNOW BASIS. AND YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW

Friday November 2, 2012

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There are some men who tread their own path, who carve a way through life unique from all those around them. To you sirs, wherever you are, I salute you. I have had the privilege of meeting many of you because you are the ones who attend Speed Dating events, often alone because you are a pioneer, a trend-setter, a man amongst boys.

Then there is the rest. The friends of the pioneer who mock his forward thinking. They cast doubt on innovation, on new thinking, on courage and bravery because they are afraid. Years ago these people would mocked anyone considered the planet Earth could have been anything but flat.

It is to you, fearful ones, for whom this missive is intended. While you send the hero out into the world of speed dating, your laughter wringing in his ears, it is upon you that the last laugh will fall.

This is how it works:

It's 7:30. You're 3 beers in with some other friends in cowardice, laughingly guessing at the fate that has befallen your erstwhile companion. As the evening progresses you will contemplate the relative merits of various females in your proximity. "I don't need to speed date" you will tell yourself as you further line your stomach with liquid courage.

It's 8:30. Is that a woman? You're not sure. Are there 3 or six of them? Another beer will sort you out. You're unstoppable.

Meanwhile, your 'laughable' companion has discussed sex, politics, Ugg boots and the relative merits of Timmy Mallett with 15 stunning women. He has already swapped numbers with 2 of them. And it's only half time. Your only engagement with the more intelligent gender has been a slurring offer to buy a drink and the witty remark that she looks like a slim version of Vanessa Feltz. She politely declines by laughing in your face. But you're on fire. You return to your mates with another pint.

It's now 9:30. You've actually managed to engage in conversation with someone who appears rather attractive if you close one eye. She's even laughing at your impression of Sean Connery. It's been 10 mins! Who needs Speed Dating? Pah!

Your friend has met another 10 women and is now at the bar chatting to 3 having exchanged 2 more numbers and he still has tomorrows online matching results to come.

You are flying! She even laughed at your sick Jimmy Savile joke. She turns to you. Look you in your one sober eye and says: "Thanks for keeping me company. My boyfriend's here now. You gay guys are so much fun." And walks away.

It's midnight. Where do we stand?

Your adventurous friend is in a club with 12 others from the Speed Date night with no intention of leaving anytime soon.

You are sprawled, half dressed and alone watching Babestation swirling in front of you. You half consider a drunken hand shandy while smelling of kebabs before deciding a trip to the fridge for another beer is in order. You wake upon the kitchen floor.

Gentleman, I tell you now, this story is true. True for so many men each week.

So to you sir - YES YOU - I ask, which are you? The pioneer warrior? Or the drunken has-been?

The choice is now yours.

Last few places!
Today
Sat 12 JUL

THE ORIGINAL DATING SUMMER IN THE CITY PARTY + PRE-PARTY SPEED DATING

Sat 12 Jul 2025

The Happenstance, London, St Pauls

Welcome to the biggest party + pre-party speed dating for single Londoners this summer. 250+ peop...

Tickets

£30

Age guide

30-45

Male left

Join
waiting list

Female left

4

Find out more
Last few places!
Today
Sat 12 JUL

Lesbian Speed Dating

Sat 12 Jul 2025

KOMYUNITI - YOTEL, London, Clerkenwell

Join us for lesbian speed dating and meet around 15 women. Did we mention a free welcome drink?

Tickets

£20

Age guide

25-45

Male left

Join
waiting list

Female left

4

Find out more
Book now!
Today
Sat 12 JUL

THE ORIGINAL DATING SUMMER IN THE CITY PARTY

Sat 12 Jul 2025

The Happenstance, London, St Pauls

Welcome to the biggest party for single Londoners of the summer. 200+ people expected!

Tickets

£25

Age guide

30-45

Male left

Join
waiting list

Female left

5

Find out more
Book now!
Thu 17 JUL

Speed Dating in Clapham

Thu 17 Jul 2025

Sugar Cane, London, Clapham Junction

You'll typically meet 15-18 people for our popular speed dating event at this cool venue in CJ.

Tickets

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

6+

Female left

6+

Find out more
Last few places!
Thu 17 JUL

Speed Dating in St Albans

Thu 17 Jul 2025

The Crown, St Albans, Hertfordshire

This is St Albans' busiest speed date at Hertfordshire's finest bar. Join us to meet up to 30 sin...

Tickets

£25

Age guide

40-55

Male left

6+

Female left

1

Find out more
Last few places!
Thu 17 JUL

Speed Dating in Glasgow

Thu 17 Jul 2025

Moskito Cocktail Bar, Central Glasgow

Join us for an evening of multiple dates at our brand new venue in Glasgow.

Tickets

£20

Age guide

40-55

Male left

6+

Female left

Join
waiting list
Find out more
Book now!
Thu 17 JUL

Speed Dating in Edinburgh

Thu 17 Jul 2025

Manahatta EDINBURGH, Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh's best speed dating event at this incredible venue.

Tickets

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

6+

Female left

6+

Find out more
Last few places!
Thu 17 JUL

Summer Singles Party - Bristol

Thu 17 Jul 2025

The Cocktail Club, Bristol

The best Summer Singles party in town! Up to 80 people expected at this top city hotspot.

Tickets

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

8

Female left

Join
waiting list
Find out more
Book now!
Fri 18 JUL

Friday Night Speed Dating

Fri 18 Jul 2025

The Anthologist (panel room), London, The City

It's our busiest event of the week. 20 dates and no work tomorrow. You just can't beat this event.

Tickets

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

6+

Female left

6+

Find out more
Last few places!
Fri 18 JUL

Over 50s Friday Night Speed Dating

Fri 18 Jul 2025

Jamies Tudor Street, London, The City

Kick start your weekend with Friday night speed dating at our brand new venue in the heart of the...

Tickets

£25

Age guide

50-65

Male left

6+

Female left

Join
waiting list
Find out more
Book now!
Fri 18 JUL

Speed Dating in Oxford

Fri 18 Jul 2025

Hank's Bar, Oxford, Oxfordshire

Start the weekend with speed dating in the city's trendiest bar.

Tickets

£25

Age guide

40-55

Male left

6+

Female left

6+

Find out more
Last few places!
Fri 18 JUL

Summer Lock and Key Party - Cambridge

Fri 18 Jul 2025

The Cambridge Tap, Cambridgeshire

Join us for our Summer Lock & Key Party. Up to 80 guests expected.

Tickets

£20

£15

Age guide

30-45

Male left

14

Female left

1

Find out more
Book now!
Fri 18 JUL

Summer Lock & Key Party Cardiff

Fri 18 Jul 2025

Peppermint Bar, Cardiff, Wales

Meet over 100 other singles in Cardiff this summer! Tickets on sale now!

Tickets

£25

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

9

Female left

10

Find out more
Book now!
Fri 18 JUL

Summer Singles Party - Glasgow

Fri 18 Jul 2025

Committee Room No.9, Glasgow, Scotland

Don't miss our Summer Singles Party in Glasgow. Up to 80+ people expected.

Tickets

£25

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

13

Female left

9

Find out more
Book now!
Sat 19 JUL

Coffee Lovers Speed Dating

Sat 19 Jul 2025

The Thirsty Scholar, London, Central London

You'll typically meet 15-18 people for an afternoon coffee and connect with single Londoners at t...

Tickets

£15

Age guide

25-37

Male left

6+

Female left

6+

Find out more
Book now!
Sat 19 JUL

Saturday Night Speed Dating - 30s & 40s

Sat 19 Jul 2025

The Kings Arms, Central London

One of the busiest and best speed dating events in Central London, not to be missed. Book your ti...

Tickets

£22

Age guide

30-45

Male left

6+

Female left

6+

Find out more
Book now!
Sat 19 JUL

Gay Speed Dating

Sat 19 Jul 2025

Komyuniti - Yotel, London, Clerkenwell

Join us for gay speed dating and meet around 15 men. Did we mention a free welcome drink?

Tickets

£20

Age guide

25-45

Male left

6+

Female left

Join
waiting list
Find out more
Last few places!
Wed 23 JUL

Speed Dating in Cambridge

Wed 23 Jul 2025

The Lab, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Join around 30 singles at this trendy Cambridge venue for a fun night meeting new people.

Tickets

£15

Age guide

25-35

Male left

Join
waiting list

Female left

10+

Find out more
Book now!
Thu 24 JUL

Speed Dating in Islington

Thu 24 Jul 2025

The Brougham, London, Islington

Islington's very one speed dating event at this ace North London venue.

Tickets

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

10+

Female left

10+

Find out more
Book now!
Thu 24 JUL

Speed Dating in Edinburgh

Thu 24 Jul 2025

Manahatta EDINBURGH, Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh's best speed dating event at the fantastic brand-new venue.

Tickets

£25

Age guide

40-55

Male left

10+

Female left

10+

Find out more


 

ORIGINAL DATING IN THE PRESS
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HOW IT WORKS

The beauty of Speed Dating London lies in its no-nonsense approach. You take an equal number of single girls and guys, put them in a room and give them a few minutes to chat with every other member of the opposite sex.

When you get there

Original speed dating events in London normally begin at 7.30pm. You will need to register with our hosts and to begin with they will issue you with a score sheet. This will help you to keep track of the singles that you would like to meet again and perhaps go on a date with. After a short period of mingling, your host for the evening who will run through detailed instructions and give you your starting position if you are a guy or table for the event if you are a girl.

Meet & Mingle

A London speed dating event is split into two halves, each lasting around an hour, there will be an interval at half time of about 15 minutes for speed dating London. You will have between 4 and 5 minutes with each person, after which you need to tick a box on your score sheet - "yes, I would like to meet this person again" or "no. Thanks but no thanks". Or "friend" if you'd like to get to know them platonically. Make sure that you do this after each date to keep track. Afterwards there is an opportunity for everyone to meet and mingle informally - this is often where the real action begins, so make sure you don't disappear too quickly!

Complete your score sheet

After the event you simply tick who you liked on the Original Dating website and the site works about your matches automatically. If the dates you have ticked as a "yes" have reciprocated you have a match. You will be able to view the first names and message them via our site online without revealing your email address until you are ready to. You'll be having proper first dates in no time.