Speed dating craze hits NDSU
As instantaneous as microwave meals and the Internet, people are striving for faster, more economical ways to meet potential dates.
So NDSU Resident Hall Association decided to put a new spin on dating Thursday night.
The association wanted to promote a program for students before Valentine’s Day, especially for those without dates. The night would be a casual setting for students to meet new friends and possibly find someone special, Stephanie Caron, the national communications coordinator for RHA, said.
“ School now is so online-oriented with Facebook,” Monica Bruhn, president of RHA, said. “This is a more personal way to meet people.”
The night started out with students mingling with one another in the Memorial Union Ballroom. Students were asked to sit at long tables, men and women facing each other. The dates lasted for four minutes, giving students time to start a conversation and learn about a new person before moving on.
About 50 students participated in speed dating Thursday night.
Andy Ayash, a civil engineering freshman, said he had a particular objective for the night.
“ Meet chicks — hot ones,” Ayash said when asked what he expects to happen while speed dating. “Hopefully get some numbers.”
Andrew Hagen, a business administration sophomore, is a member of RHA who tried out speed dating for the first time Thursday. Most people he met seemed excited about being a part of the event, Hagen said.
“ Even if I don’t get a date out of this, I still meet more people,” he said.
Some people weren’t as excited about speed dating as others.
Ryan Bacon, an industrial engineering freshman, said he wanted to dress similar to Andy Stitzer, a character in the movie, “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.” During one scene of the movie, Stitzer tries out speed dating to find the perfect date.
The event could be improved by having a larger crowd, especially more women, Bacon said.
“ I think it’s a joke,” he said. “Speed dating is kinda weird.”
Since a blind date can be awkward at times, RHA provided a list of conversation starters for students to talk about in case of silence. The list of starter questions included, “What three words best describe you?” and “What do you do when you need to blow off stress?”
Some students didn’t need help thinking of new facts to tell their date.
Mark Redepenning, an athletic training sophomore, had to interrupt some of the women he spoke to in order for them to know more than his name.
“ A couple of them just wouldn’t stop talking,” he said. “You can’t really get to know people in three minutes.”
Although some students left without finding their match, others found new friends and dating possibilities.
Jessica Hanson, a recreation management sophomore, said she would definitely try speed dating again. There was a better chance to meet a possible date since nobody was drinking alcohol and everyone is around the same age, she said.
“ It (speed dating) should be more than annual, it should be once a week,” Hanson said.
Dating styles have slowly changed over time. Just like cooking potatoes has become instant, so has dating. RHA decided to help start a new dating style at NDSU for students looking for Mr. or Mrs. Right.
“ Usually you have a group to go with (on a date), but here you’re kind of on your own,” Bruhn said.