"Speed-Dating" Put To Test

Singles Meet Others, One After Another, Chatting With Each For Few, Timed Minutes

(CBS)  "Speed-dating" has taken off in a hurry.

It's a new way for singles to meet prospective dating partners.

At speed-dating "events," singles gather and rotate, talking with others one after another, for several minutes. They're timed as they do.

Generally, when a bell goes off, they move on to the next conversation. Then, the next, and the next, and so on. It amounts to a bunch of mini-"dates" in rapid succession.

The only topics the "daters" can't talk about at most such events are where they live and their professions.

The Early Show held a speed-dating session on its plaza Thursday during its "How To Date In 2008" series. Eleven men and 11 women were slated to take part.

It was run by a company called 8MinuteDating -- though each "date" was shorter than eight minutes, to enable all the singles to meet one another during the course of the show.

8MinuteDating organizer Dave Cervini, who's also with The New York Social Network, outlined speed-dating procedures and plusses for co-anchor Julie Chen.

She approached one couple apparently hitting if off, and they agreed to go on a "real" date.

The Early Show is picking up the tab at a New York restaurant owned by its resident chef, Bobby Flay.

[devastator6]

I watched the Thursday, May 22, 2008 Segment regarding speed dating and which featured the Black, 34 Woman and I was completely disgusted by it. This woman made such a big deal about being "independent" then whined about being asked to split the bill at the conclusion of a actual dinner date with a man she met during the speed dating. More disturbing and equally disgusting was Susan Koppenen''s ranting about being "old fashioned" and agreeing with that woman''s position. A. As a correspondent, Koppenen should not have expressed a personal opinion. B. As a Network Correspondent who makes a considerable amount it blatant hypocrisy and arrogance that she would expect her husband to pay for all of their "dates". This is the 21st Century and it''s time for that double standard-unfair aspect of so called chivalry to die and go straight to hell. The bottom feeding and stereotypical stance(s) The Early Show often displays is alive and well.