2008 Woodie Awards
Students meet new people in under 4 minutes
Diantha Leavitt
Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: Life
- Page 1 of 1
Although finding your soul mate in under three to eight minutes at a crowded public function may seem near impossible, speed daters across the world believe there is hope. And Student Activities Board Events Chair Nicole Sherrod sought to bring such possibilities to Idaho State University.
At a speed dating function, members of the same sexual orientation sit opposite one another and have a conversation from three to eight minutes long-depending on the organization-and try to decide if there is enough attraction to warrant a formal date. At the end of the allotted time period one group, usually the men, move down one chair and interview a new partner. It is up to the organization hosting the event to give out contact information but only if there is mutual attraction.
"I was watching 'Hitch' and I thought 'hmm, I'm going to do that,'" Sherrod said.
Sherrod created romantic ambiance in the Pond Student Union Building Ballroom with rose petals contrasting with the white table clothes and candlelight illuminating the room.
Despite her best efforts, the event was not well attended. One reason may be that potential attendees were afraid of stalkers.
"It's controlled and safe," Sherrod said. She said the only way to get the other person's information is for her to hand it out.
Freshman Stephanie Wolfe said that she was looking forward to meeting new people. Her friend Heather Holtzen said she wanted to try something new. Both girls were afraid of meeting scary people.
Doug Jones thought that speed dating would be a good way of getting out and having fun two months after divorcing his wife of seven years, although he was not looking for a date per se. "I learned if you set your expectations too high, it's a long drop (if you're disappointed)."
Speed dating is originally credited to Rabbi Yaacov Deyo of Aish HaTorah as a way to help the Jewish single population meet each other and get married. The first speed-dating event took place at Pete's Café in Beverly Hills in 1998, according to wikipedia.com. It has since spread to Europe as a popular alternative to traditional dating.
Speed dating allows for a greater possibility of meeting someone the dater is compatible with because of the wide variety of prospects that person encounters. Speed daters can come by themselves, and they don't have to interact with a boorish date for very long.
At a speed dating function, members of the same sexual orientation sit opposite one another and have a conversation from three to eight minutes long-depending on the organization-and try to decide if there is enough attraction to warrant a formal date. At the end of the allotted time period one group, usually the men, move down one chair and interview a new partner. It is up to the organization hosting the event to give out contact information but only if there is mutual attraction.
"I was watching 'Hitch' and I thought 'hmm, I'm going to do that,'" Sherrod said.
Sherrod created romantic ambiance in the Pond Student Union Building Ballroom with rose petals contrasting with the white table clothes and candlelight illuminating the room.
Despite her best efforts, the event was not well attended. One reason may be that potential attendees were afraid of stalkers.
"It's controlled and safe," Sherrod said. She said the only way to get the other person's information is for her to hand it out.
Freshman Stephanie Wolfe said that she was looking forward to meeting new people. Her friend Heather Holtzen said she wanted to try something new. Both girls were afraid of meeting scary people.
Doug Jones thought that speed dating would be a good way of getting out and having fun two months after divorcing his wife of seven years, although he was not looking for a date per se. "I learned if you set your expectations too high, it's a long drop (if you're disappointed)."
Speed dating is originally credited to Rabbi Yaacov Deyo of Aish HaTorah as a way to help the Jewish single population meet each other and get married. The first speed-dating event took place at Pete's Café in Beverly Hills in 1998, according to wikipedia.com. It has since spread to Europe as a popular alternative to traditional dating.
Speed dating allows for a greater possibility of meeting someone the dater is compatible with because of the wide variety of prospects that person encounters. Speed daters can come by themselves, and they don't have to interact with a boorish date for very long.
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