A mature step for speed dating
People aged 60 to 75 – typically ignored by the dating-business scene – will have an opportunity to meet singles of a similar vintage in Christchurch next month.
Mainland Dating owner Jane Metcalfe is bringing her age-specific speed-dating event to Christchurch on June 9.
During speed dating, singles spend just a few minutes talking to potential partners before moving on to the next.
"It's quite funny, because I stress to the younger age groups that making a match only means you have to go out for a coffee," Metcalfe said.
"These ones look at me like I'm queer, because what else would they be doing?
(source: Corbis.com)
"I tell them it's like the modern equivalent of an old-time dance, just with no music and more conversation." Metcalfe, who launched speed-dating events in Dunedin in 2006, boosted her service to include more mature singles due to popular demand.
Couples are generally allotted four minutes per date.
But Metcalfe allows the older age group slightly longer.
"They come from a well-mannered generation, so they find it funny that I'm ringing my bell, saying `move on', when they're in the middle of a conversation.
"They find me abrasive.
"People always pull the jokes about doing a marketing drive at the old folks' homes or having a line of Zimmer frames outside the venue.
"But these people are totally with it, active and cool."
The Press spoke to one of Metcalfe's successful couples (who did not want to use their surnames).
Biddy, 68, was living by herself in a caravan in Waihola, south of Dunedin, when she came across the advertisement in a newspaper.
"I was living a terrible, terrible, terrible, lonely life," she said.
"I was scared to go speed dating because I didn't know anyone.
"But Jane told me everyone was in the same boat, so that gave me courage."
Biddy said she talked about "life in general" during the four-minute speed dates.
"It's all about a bit of company.
(source: Corbis.com)
"But the bell ringing every four minutes is so, so annoying.
"I went three times and found my man.
"I've been with him for nine months."
Biddy's match was 72-year-old Alby, whose "beautiful sunglasses" caught her eye.
On their date she sat in his car, he removed the sunglasses and put them in his pocket.
"Then I leaned over and gave him a cuddle and broke them.
"I felt so terrible.
"He said he'd marry me after Christmas.
"He just didn't say which Christmas."
Sources:
stuff.co.nz/life-style/3689574/A-mature-step-for-speed-dating
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