Speed Dating

It is a Friday evening at the start of autumn in London. Eva is thirty-nine years old. She goes into a nice bar. The lights are warm and there is quiet music. She takes off her coat and holds it on her arm. She smiles, but she feels a little nervous. In the middle of the room there are small round tables. On the tables there are numbers, pens, and small cards. At the back, a woman is on a small platform with a notepad. She smiles and waits.

More people arrive. Soon there are about twenty people. The woman on the platform explains the rules. “Each date lasts seven minutes,” she says. “Then a bell rings and you write up to 5 words to describe the meeting. Also write if you want to see the person again. Then you move to the next table. Please, be kind.” Eva nods. She looks at her card. It says: Table 4. She sits down, puts her phone on silent mode, and takes a deep breath. She wants to meet real people and find someone who fits her life.

The bell rings. A man sits down in front of her. He is tall and has brown hair with a bit of grey. He moves calmly. “Hi, I am Martin,” he says, and he offers her his hand. “Eva,” she says, and she shakes his hand. Martin smiles. “We have seven minutes. Can I ask a direct question? What are you looking for?” Eva answers: “I want a serious relationship. Not perfect, but stable. I also prefer talking in person, not only texting.” Martin nods. “Me too,” he says.

Eva feels more relaxed. “What kind of life do you like?” she asks. Martin thinks for a moment. “I like a quiet life,” he says. “I work a lot during the week. On the weekend I like to rest, cook, and take a walk. I do not need to go out every evening.” Eva smiles. “I also like balance,” she says. “I like friends, but I also like a bit of quiet.” Then Martin asks: “Do you have children? Do you want children?” Eva says: “I do not have children. I can date someone who has children, but I do not want my own children.” Martin looks relieved. “I have a daughter,” he says. “She is ten years old. I see her half of the time. I have a good relationship with her mother.” Eva nods. “That is important,” she says.

The bell rings again. Martin gets up. “It has been nice talking to you,” he says. “Thanks,” Eva says. She writes on her card: “calm”, “clear”, “maybe again”. Then another man sits down quickly. He has a big smile. “Hi, I’m Leo,” he says. Eva introduces herself. Leo says: “I love the city and its energy. I like friends and last-minute plans. And you?” Eva says: “I like to plan a little. I like to know what happens. I’m not strict, but I like a bit of organisation.” Leo laughs. “Interesting,” he says. “I prefer spontaneity.”

Eva asks: “What does spontaneity mean to you?” Leo says: “To drink something after work. A concert if someone invites me. A party. If I stay at home too much, I get bored.” Eva nods. “I prefer quiet things,” she says. “A long walk, a museum, or cooking with someone. I like calm conversations.” Leo asks: “And trips? I love fast trips. Five cities in six days.” Eva laughs. “I prefer one city and more time,” she says. Then Leo asks the question about children. Eva gives the same answer. Leo shrugs. “I don’t know,” he says. “It depends on the person.” Eva thinks: he has a lot of energy and a very fast style.

The bell rings. Leo gets up. “Nice to meet you, Eva!” he says. Eva smiles in a kind way. She writes: “social”, “fast”, “too much energy”. Then the third man sits down slowly. “Hi,” he says. “I’m Sam.” He wears glasses and speaks softly. “Eva,” she says. Sam smiles a little. “I’m not very good with fast dates,” he says. “I like long conversations.” Eva says: “Me too, but we can try.” Sam seems happy. “Okay,” he says. “What is a good week like for you?”

Eva likes the question. She says she enjoys simple routines: work, home, dinner, and some exercise. She likes a clean house and a calm atmosphere, and she doesn’t need luxury. Sam nods and says he understands. He is a physiotherapist and he talks with people all day, so in the evening he likes to stay quiet. He also likes cooking and laughs that cooking together shows if two people work well as a team. He asks what Eva is looking for, and she says she wants someone kind, calm, and able to talk when there is a problem. Sam agrees.

Sam asks about children in a respectful way, and Eva answers like before. Then they talk about a first date. Sam suggests a coffee and a walk, or a drink, and then going home if it doesn’t feel right. Eva likes the idea, but the bell rings and the time is over. She feels a little sad, and she writes notes: “nice conversation”, “calm”, and “I want to see him again”.

In the end, the organiser collects the cards and explains what will happen next. She says thank you, they will check the results, and if there is a match they will contact people for a second meeting. Eva stands up, takes her coat, and goes outside into the cool air. She walks home and feels good because she has made her choices. She liked meeting new people, and secretly she hopes Sam wants to see her again. She smiles a little.