Gina Glickman News 12 Speed Dating video

News12 Long Island: The Real Story of Speed Dating for Singles

The single life isn’t always all fun and games, but a night of speed dating can make it seem like it is. The first and most important rule? Put your best face forward. As News12 Long Island’s Gina Glickman discovered, speed dating right here on Long Island can actually help you find a date. “Sex and the City made being single sexy, but it’s speed dating right here on Long Island that can actually help you find a date,” she shares.

One participant explained, “I thought it’d be a rip. I mean, sit here and get to meet as many people as I can. I’m not looking for the wife so and so, but I mean it’s just, you know, get out and meet people.” Today, if you’re single, there are a lot of ways to meet potential partners—from the bar and club scenes to internet dating—but thanks to real-life Cupid Jay Rosen, expanding your social life just got a whole lot easier.

At these events, singles get five minutes to talk to each person. After the five minutes, the man circles yes or no on the scorecard if he’s interested in a woman, and the woman circles yes or no for the man. There’s an email waiting for them after the event, letting them know who they matched with. Looking for love can be a little nerve-wracking, but it’s this type of experience—like speed dating—that helps you, after the first four or five rounds, feel like a pro.

“I was really nervous when I first came. I didn’t eat all day, but as soon as I started talking to people, I’m fine. There’s nothing to be afraid of. You just come, have a good time, meet new people, and give them your best six minutes,” another attendee said. “I was nervous about it, but it’s a lot of fun.”

Speed dating events have even taken some pressure off parents. As Gina notes, “Finally, mom can take a break from matchmaking since Jay has had a lot of love creating a few everlasting love connections.” In fact, Jay shared, “It’s hard to believe—it’s been three years. I have 16 engaged couples, there’s been six marriages.”

For all the skeptics out there, Gina concludes, “I can’t guarantee that you’re going to find true love, but speed dating is a wonderful way to meet new people and actually make a new friend.” If you’re interested in upcoming speed dating events, check out the latest listings and see why so many Long Islanders are giving it a try.

Transcript adapted from News12 Long Island’s feature on Weekend Dating speed dating events.
Watch the original segment here.