Hmm....Pavlov's Dog

While laughing with a friend about my ability to quickly swipe left or right we are asked to move into another room. Hmmm, ok. We gather our things and walk into the next room. I remind myself “No expectations, you’re here to have fun.” I’m instructed to sit at table one and my friend sent table two. I look around and the room is extremely bright. I can feel myself sweating and wondering what’s going to happen next.

The gentleman, let’s call him Ted, sitting in front of me ask if it’s my first time? I say yes and he starts to explain the process. I begin to feel comfortable, however, I’m still a bit nervous about the experience. To be honest I ask myself “how did I get here?” I ponder for a moment as Ted continues to chat and tell me that we can’t start the process until the bell rings. The bell rings?!?! Are we Pavlov’s Dogs? Will I sweat more and more each time the bell rings out of anticipation of seeing the next gentleman coming towards my table?

Ted continues to chat away; Within 5 minutes I find out that his mother was a hippy, and that at the age of 11 they hitchhiked from someplace in Italy to Germany. He’s never been married, has no kids, and is a regular at speed dating. And from what I can gather, he has his elevator speech ready for the next person just as soon as the bell rings.

The joys of speed dating, my first event and most likely my last. It has been on my to-do list for a few years now. Is it what I expected? Hmmm, having gone in with no expectations I cannot provide an answer.

Highlights:

• I met two new friends.

• I had great conversations with those that did not focus on their jobs, and those open to just having a friendly conversation versus trying to determine if we are soul mates within five minutes.

Low points:

• Saying that I work for a consulting firm. Maybe I should have been an archeologist, for no other reason than to entertain myself.

We are all searching for love, some more than others. I myself will never give up on knowing my love is out there. And while speed dating did not work for me, I will continue my journey and hope you enjoy reading about my adventures along the way.