Matchmaking Services/Speed Dating Events

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2005
Matchmaking Services/Speed Dating Events
8
Fri, 09-15-2006 - 10:00am
Anyone have an opinion on/experiences with those? If so, please do tell. Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sun, 09-17-2006 - 11:42pm

Speed dating - No experience.... online dating services - I do have a profile up on two sites, but nothing really interesting has happened to even make me want to consider that initial contact.


Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2006
Sat, 09-23-2006 - 7:51pm

I've tried online dating and it has been interesting...

The very first one was just nice as can be on email and on the phone. He was a little older than I would normally go for and his profile mentioned he was stocky. I fonally got up the nerve to ask him for drinks. When we met, I realized I'd been had. He was significantly older than his profile stated AND he was not just "stocky," he was morbidly obese. Now I'm no size 6; I take great pride in the fact that I used to be in the same boat but have worked hard to lose 100 pounds so far. Thus, the decision to place my prejudices aside and give the guy a break. Let me tell you, it was freakish. He talked about his family's health problems, his illnesses, things wrong with family genetics, etc. He went from talking about his hernia operation to say, and I will never forget this: "I only do oral. Give and receive." The long silent pause must have indicated to him that I was shocked. We talked a bit more and then decided to call it a night. At this point, I know I'm never going to see this man again. He went to kiss me, I gave him a tiny peck. He then hugged me and here's the second quote I'll remember on my deathbed: "Oh, I could just eat you all up!" It gets better... Then he lifted my right sleeve and BIT my arm. Bit it hard! It was so hard, that my initial reaction was to scream. The man left a bite-wound impression that took more than a week to heal. He, o course, called and emailed, but I avoided him. He soon got the hint.

I've met two other men on the dating site. One fella is real nice but terrfically busy running his pub. He asked me to come to his pub, which I did, and he had no time for me. My schedule stinks too, but this guy is normal. Once, he inquired if he could ask me some personal questions. After experience number one, I thought, oh boy, here come the fettishes! LOL his questions involved cooking and scuba diving. His most personal one had to do with me shaving; I'm European and he'd heard that Europeans don't shave anything. PHEW! His biggest concern was whether or not I add spices to my cooking LOL.

The other gentleman I met is much older than I am. I took him out for a salad at the grocery store (romantic, I know) and while he was just about the nicest man ever, he wore some cologne I'd never smelled before that was just awful. He continues to ask me out. Gee, I gotta pick up some cologne as a gift LOL.

Forgive me, there was one more. In an odd twist of fate, he turned out to be my daughter's assistant principal. Nice guy, and I'd go out with him again.

Just be careful if you do try the online thing. Remember, everyone is beautiful in cyberspace. Me? I post the real deal and I am very up front about myself and my "match." I provide a date for the photos I have on the site and I do talk about my overcoming obesity. While I don't believe in the "hard sell," I have had to get over my tendancy to be very modest, but with a dose of realism.

When I do get a "face-to-face," I make sure it's somewhere in public and perferably in broad daylight. It also has to be somewhere I get 4 bars on the cell.

There have been disappointments and there have been encouraging aspects too. Sometimes, I get the big reject when I initiate contact and sometimes, I reject. Overall, I've had a lot of fun with it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2006
Sun, 09-24-2006 - 2:51am
By the way, what is speed dating?
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2005
Sun, 09-24-2006 - 9:11am

Hi Roasthorse,

Speed dating is an event for which you register. Generally, you are matched up with one person and you have a few minutes to talk. When a bell rings, you move on to the next person. I've never been to one but have heard of it.

Bunny

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2005
Sun, 09-24-2006 - 9:13am

Hi Roasthorse,

Wow, did you see a doctor for that bite???? What the guy did was criminal assault too.

I guess I am going to keep an open mind about meeting or not meeting someone. Right now I am preparing to start a new business, am busy with my current career and daughter. I have friends who love me and above all, I am in good health!

Good luck to you,

Bunny

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2006
Sun, 09-24-2006 - 2:12pm
Oh wow, I never thought about the criminal assult part. Or seeing a doctor. Oh my. I have been to the doc since because the school I'm attending required proof of vaccination. At my age??? They pulled blood three times, couldn't get the test right with the lab so I feel pretty confident there. Gee, I'll remember that for future whack-jobs LOL.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2005
Sun, 09-24-2006 - 4:06pm
I'm glad to see you are OK. What are you going to school for?
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2006
Sun, 09-24-2006 - 4:12pm
Getting a B.S. in Elementary Education... 1 and a half years to go thank goodness! What are you planning on studying?