It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that even the dating process has been transformed by the haste with which our fast-paced world tends to operate. Not unlike the fast food industry, some matchmaking enterprises have cooked up new and interesting ways for singles to quickly get their fill of local romantic prospects. Speed dating events allow singles to get a brief sneak peek at the menu and then decide whether or not to place an order. Speed dating is a fast growing trend that seems to be spreading like wildfire over the dating landscape.

By definition, speed dating is precisely what its name implies. Singles sign up for an event in their area and are then allotted a pre-designated amount of time to spend with several potential suitors. How much time is allotted and how many dates are scheduled in one night depends on the event organizer. 8MinuteDate.com is just one of the many popular organizations that cater to single professionals interested in speed dating.

Singles parties are often grouped by special interest categories so that all types of speed daters can find just what they’re looking for. Speed dating events are hosted at a variety of locations in several cities across the United States. The sign up costs can vary but are typically in the $35-40 range and may include snacks and refreshments. Most speed dating companies do not allow participants to personally request contact information from those they are interested in seeing again. The general procedure requires those interested in a second date to wait until the end of the evening and then fill out an interest card with the name(s) of the person they would like to see again. If the person selected also expressed an interest in a second meeting, the event organizer provides both parties with each other’s contact information and the rest is up to them.

Speed dating, as with everything else, has both its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are many. For starters, speed dating provides its participants with the opportunity to meet other eligible singles in person. The face-to-face meetings make it easier to gauge physical attraction and chemistry while greatly reducing the occurrence of false advertising that tends to plague the world of online dating. Another advantage includes the element of safety. Singles parties are professionally organized and carried out in a public venue so it’s generally a safer way to meet new people. Lastly, since these events are often organized according to special interest groups, dating in this way makes it easier to get acquainted with new people who meet a certain criteria. Dog lovers, for instance, can mingle with other dog lovers or fitness enthusiasts can spend some time with singles that share their enthusiasm.

On the flip side, speed dating does have its fair share of wrinkles too. While the face-to-face meetings can help daters gauge their physical attraction to other singles, it can also serve as a highly nerve-wracking experience for those who struggle with self-esteem issues. Also, speed dating isn’t necessarily designed to instantly create lasting relationships. It is virtually impossible to get to know much about another person in such a short period of time. Speed dating is probably more useful as a basic tool to expand a single’s social circle and see if something develops from there.

With life moving full speed ahead, it’s no wonder that opportunities to meet new people and make real connections often fall by the wayside, usually taking a back seat to education and career goals. Speed dating is one growing trend that can help busy single professionals to put romance back into their long list of priorities.

Interested singles should look for events in their local area and consider signing up with a friend. If there are no events listed nearby, singles might even consider hosting an event of their own through an established speed dating company. It’s a great way to earn some extra cash and still meet some great new people.