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Ideas for a cheap first proper date

Monday January 23, 2023

Going on a first date can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a bit stressful. One of the biggest stresses can be figuring out what to do on the date, especially if you're trying to stick to a budget

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We're famous

Wednesday October 3, 2018

Here at Original Dating we believe in what we do - creating fun social events for single people with friendly environments where people can make new connections.

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The importance of listening

Tuesday August 14, 2018

Most people do not listen with the intent to understand, they listen with the intent to reply. - Stephen R Covey.

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Dating advice from fictional characters

Friday June 8, 2018

Life imitates art far more than art imitates life – Oscar Wilde

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What's speed dating like?

Wednesday May 2, 2018

A question I'm asked more often than not is 'What's speed dating like?' Whether it's from people who call in, friends or just anyone that happens to find out this is my job. I never knew either before I started working for Original Dating some 5 years ago.

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OD Social Media Rewards

Tuesday December 12, 2017

Original Dating is going full social media as of next year!

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Date Ideas-BallieBallerson

Wednesday November 15, 2017

Looking for a great date idea? Something a bit different, that’s tons of fun and sure to make a memorable date? Well look no further than Ballie Ballerson!

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The Art of Conversation

Wednesday July 5, 2017

For some people, the art of conversation is second nature. They have the gift of the gab, a silver tongue and could talk their way out of almost any situation.

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First Date Ideas - Plonk Crazy Golf

Friday May 19, 2017

It’s never easy trying to think up something to do for a first date. After all you don’t know them too well, hence it’s a first date, but don’t worry I’m here to give you some top ideas and basically do all the hard work for you.

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The Prevasore Guide to Dating | First Impressions

Thursday May 11, 2017

We’ve all heard the saying: “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”, so it’s vital to make the most of those first few minutes on a date.

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Preparing For A First Date

Wednesday November 30, 2016

Whether you’re a dating aficionado or you’re brand new to the scene, first date nerves are inevitable.

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A Coffee Based Guide to Modern Relationship Types

Friday June 26, 2015

While monogamy may be a relatively recent addition to the relationship arsenal – at least in evolutionary terms – and the idea of marriage being about love rather than a socio-financial exchange even newer, it’s fair to say that when people talk of ‘traditional’ relationships, they’re generally referring to heterosexual, monogamous, private and vanilla couplings.

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Why Are Men Afraid of Dating Events?

Thursday June 18, 2015

In my last post I highlighted the fact that 40% of men report feeling ‘fear’ when meeting someone for that all important first date. This could explain the well-known phenomenon in the dating event industry that sees men only really booking up at the last minute while women tend to book weeks in advance. Some may churlishly suggest this is due to men’s general inability to plan, or an innate fear of commitment. For my money the truth lies elsewhere.

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What Exactly Does Original Dating Do?

Monday June 15, 2015

On this blog I talk a lot about best places to go in London, give advice on various aspects of dating, highlight some of our events, give more advice on dating and hopefully entertain you along the way. At the bottom of each blog you’ll always find a link to our events that in some way relate to what i’m writing about.

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Why Summertime Speed Dating is Particularly Special

Tuesday June 9, 2015

If large summer parties are Ibiza on steroids, then summer speed dating in London is the Italian hill top private bar over-looking the Mediterranean. Or so says John Davis as he explains why the summer is the best time for speed dating.

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The Top 6 Things Women 1st Notice About Men – And How to use them to Your Advantage

Friday June 5, 2015

You know you’re a nice guy right? You’re single, have a job, friendly (and have good friends), and people say you’re great company. Your female friends regularly express surprise that you’re still single. Yet the idea of meeting someone who isn’t a friend of a friend while out of an evening not only seems an impossibility, it fills you with a slight, but genuine, dread.

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Do Male Dating Bloggers Exist in London? The Answer

Tuesday June 2, 2015

Last week I wrote an article entitled ‘Where are all the Male Dating Bloggers?’ One wit mailed me stating simply, “On the internet you div.” Notwithstanding that I haven’t heard the word ‘div’ since I was seven, my response would have to be, well obviously, but where?

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Five ways to tell if he's a keeper - on date number one

Thursday May 21, 2015

This is number one and the story's just begun singing doo-wa-diddy-diddy-dum-diddy-doo Um… Sorry. Got a little carried away there. Back to the task at hand. Helping the serious single navigate the riverways of romance.

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I got a match and he hasn’t replied

Tuesday May 19, 2015

Against patriarchal tradition you’ve reached out and messaged Mr Possibly Rather Nice. The only thing is, it’s been a few days and you've heard nothing.

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Feel the fear and speed date anyway! – A guide for the guys

Monday March 23, 2015

I apologise. The title of this blog sounds like a motivational exercise video from the 80’s replete with golden mullet and over-white teeth. Then again, from the questions I’m often asked and what many people are telling me, there is quite a lot of nervousness when it comes to speed dating. Since year 1ASD (after speed dating roughly circa. 2000AD) the perception of speed dating has changed immeasurably. Well not quite. I measured it. It’s about yay long.

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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.