I’ve done this twice now.

I’ve been thinking about it for about a year, following a local speed dating organisation on social media. Then the organiser got in touch with me via my Tinder profile and invited me along. After my experience with The Magician, I decided to go for it so I booked my place.

The dating events are organised into groups of people whose ages span over about 2 decades. The next local event was for people aged 40-59. Not my age but the organiser told me I’d have a lovely evening.

I started watching TikTok’s on what to expect and how to make the most of the 5 minutes per person. I deliberated over what to wear. I decided to play it safe with an LBD.

I was quite nervous as I parked up nearby. I’d been to this bar before for a date many years ago so I knew where to go. I got a drink at the bar and tried to figure out who else might be part of the daters. I had my suspicions about a few men.

I went upstairs to the private area where the event was due to take place and was greeted by the man in charge, in his snakeskin shoes and his glittery jacket. I was immediately at ease.

The other women there were incredible and we hit it off straight away.

The men….😂

There was Graeme, the Sri-Lankan academic who forgot to ask me questions or make eye contact.

There was Bob, who cried when I asked him why he was single.

There was Dave, the monotone train driver.

There was Simon, who told me I was everyone’s favourite 🤩

Then came Brian, the pissed up meat head not yet over his ex.

There were some lovely men there who just didn’t float my boat but we had a great 5 minutes together.

I ticked ‘No’ on my card to all of them. But I was still laughing as I drove home. It was one of the funniest experiences of my life and a real confidence boost. I loved it. I needed that.

I was invited to another one by the organiser. In fact, he invited me to a few. So I gave in and went to an event with the age range of 30-49, I took my 30 year old beautiful cousin with me. This event was in my home town. The calibre of men and women was much improved and I was feeling quite positive that I might actually be attracted to at least one of them.

Another great evening, and I did quite like a couple of them, enough to tick the ‘Yes’ box. There was one man there that I met at the previous event so that was a bit awkward but he was nice and we had a laugh about my rejection of him for our allocated 5 minutes.

My cousin and I were both laughing all the way home again.

I would recommend one of these evenings to anyone. Even the shyest of people. 5 minutes, no pressure, no face to face rejection, no hard feelings. It was brilliant.