For many of us, politics are a big deal. Some people are even defined by their politics and it becomes an important part of their personality. When it comes to speed dating, some people screen their matches based on their political ideals and affiliations - if they give a wrong answer, they don't have a chance. Is this fair? In a time of high levels of tolerance and individual dependence, does it really matter if the person you are dating holds a different set of political views, or maybe even doesn't care at all?
For some people, this will be a resounding, "YES!" For those who are really into politics, the idea of dating a person who disagrees with their beliefs seems impossible. After all, if a relationship is the aim, then this should be fundamentally based on common ground and shared qualities. If both parties disagree on key issues, how can they ever truly communicate with one another in the long term?
This can go as far as vital differences in how they see family roles and the upbringing of children, things that may prove difficult to reconcile further down the line. They would argue that it's better to catch these things early. In more immediate terms, dating should be fun. That's not easy if you're arguing all the way through your date, unless that's what gets you both going...
Even if you only have a more passing interest in politics, if you don't agree with someone's opinions on a number of issues it is always likely to turn you off. You start to see them differently. You begin to put up barriers and find excuses for not liking them and things are never likely to succeed from here.
Worse for some would be a date who doesn't care about politics at all. To disagree on issues is one thing, where the other person can justify and rationalise their beliefs, but to be apathetic is a different situation entirely. Some of us love to debate these issues with each other and if your date is uninformed and can't engage with the argument, it can make the whole experience fall flat. For someone very interested in politics, it may indicate that the other person doesn't care about the wider-world, making them seem self-centred and perhaps even unintelligent.
Having said all of that, politics does not have to be the end of the matter, it may instead prevent two people from having an otherwise wonderful relationship. Other than the political parties they support and certain beliefs they may have, they could make for a perfect couple, each compensating for the other's flaws.
We put red flags up all the time in our daily lives, giving ourselves excuses not to do things. Citing politics as a reason for not dating someone without getting to know them first seems to me to be a little short-sighted - you might really hit it off. It has been true for a long time that people claim support for parties based on their family history without knowing a thing about what they stand for. It's important to take things lightly.
Speed dating is best when you don't put parameters in place before you even meet someone. If you keep an open mind and take things easy you might just be rewarded. Come to our next event and see for yourself, you never know who you might meet.
Here's a few speed dating events in London that might be for you.
Friday Night Speed Dating - 20s & 30s event
Fri 19 Apr 2024
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...
Friday Night Speed Dating
Fri 19 Apr 2024
The Refinery - New Street Square, London, The City
It's our busiest event of the week. 25 dates and no work tomorrow. You just can't beat this event.
Speed Dating in Chelmsford
Fri 19 Apr 2024
The Courtyard, Chelmsford, Essex
The busiest Speed Dating event in Chelmsford. Meet up to 15 singles in one night!
Saturday Night Speed Dating - 30s & 40s
Sat 20 Apr 2024
The Kings Arms, Central London
Brand new Saturday night event in the heart of the West End.
Lesbian Speed Dating
Sat 20 Apr 2024
KOMYUNITI - YOTEL, London, Clerkenwell
Join us for lesbian speed dating and meet around 15 women. Did we mention a free welcome drink?
Tuesday Night Speed Dating 20s & 30s
Tue 23 Apr 2024
Jamies Tudor Street, London, The City
Ease into the week and spend Tuesday evenings with us and up to 15 dates in the City.
Speed Dating in the City
Wed 24 Apr 2024
Langbourns, London, The City
New - Join us for this new Wednesday evening event in the City.
Speed Dating in Cambridge
Wed 24 Apr 2024
The Lab, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Join around 30 singles at this trendy Cambridge venue for a fun night meeting new people.
Speed Dating in Clapham
Thu 25 Apr 2024
Sugar Cane, London, Clapham Junction
You'll typically meet 12-15 people for our popular speed dating event at this cool venue in CJ.
Manchester Speed Dating - 20s and 30s
Thu 25 Apr 2024
Be At One Manchester, Manchester, Deansgate
Join us for Manchester's #1 professional speed dating event at Be At One.
Speed Dating in Canterbury
Thu 25 Apr 2024
One Pound Lane, Canterbury, Kent
Canterbury's busiest speed dating event. Join us and meet new people in person.
Speed Dating in Derby
Thu 25 Apr 2024
Carnero Lounge, Derby, Derbyshire
Derby's busiest speed dating event. Meet up to 15 singles at this cool bar, in the heart of Derby.
Speed Dating Cardiff
Thu 25 Apr 2024
Dirty Martini, Cardiff, Wales
Join us for our brand new singles events in the heart Cardiff.
Speed Dating in Glasgow
Thu 25 Apr 2024
Missoula, Glasgow, Scotland
Join us for an evening of multiple dates at our brand new venue in Glasgow.
Friday Night Speed Dating
Fri 26 Apr 2024
Dion - St Pauls, London, The City
It's our busiest event of the week. 25 dates and no work tomorrow. You just can't beat this event.
Friday Night Speed Dating - 30s & 40s event
Fri 26 Apr 2024
Langbourns, London, The City
Kick start your weekend with Friday night speed dating at our brand new venue in the heart of the...
Speed Dating in Oxford
Fri 26 Apr 2024
Hank's Bar, Oxford, Oxfordshire
Start the weekend with speed dating in the city's trendiest bar.
Saturday Night Speed Dating - 30s & 40s
Sat 27 Apr 2024
The Kings Arms, Central London
Brand new Saturday night event in the heart of the West End.
Gay Speed Dating
Sat 27 Apr 2024
Komyuniti - Yotel, London, Clerkenwell
Join us for gay speed dating and meet around 15 men. Did we mention a free welcome drink?
Speed Dating in Brighton
Tue 30 Apr 2024
The Walrus, The Lanes, Brighton
*NEW VENUE* It's Brighton's best speed dating event. Join us and meet up to 15 dates at The Walrus
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