The science of speed dating

by Ed Bowsher on 20 July 2009  |  4 comments
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Find out why men tend to give more 'ticks' at speed dating than women.

They say that travel broadens the mind. Well, my current trip to Canada has changed my take on the science of speed dating.

Some years ago, I read an article in the UK on speed dating that said that men tended to 'tick' more women than women ticked men. In other words, your average man might express an interest in, say, five women while your average woman might only express an interest in three men.

That made sense to me. Men are supposedly programmed to spread their genes far and wide whilst women are thought to be more careful when it comes to choosing a mate. Women need to make sure that their chosen men will look after them while they have young children.

However, this week I read an interesting article in Canada's National Post called 'The Science of Speed Dating.' I'd link to the article but the paper hasn't put the article online.

This article says that, yes, men do normally tick more people than the women do. But that's not because of gender. It's due to the normal format of speed dating. Typically women sit at an individual table whilst men move round the room going from  table to table.

But researchers at Northwestern University in Illinois switched things around. Each man stayed put at his table whilst women moved round the room. Guess what? The women ticked more men than usual whilst the men were more selective.

The explanation? If someone approaches you and initiates a 'date', then you feel attractive and wanted - regardless of your gender. That, in turn, makes you more selective and you tick fewer potential dating partners.

It's a really nice theory. I've no idea whether it's actually true, but it's interesting.

I've been speed dating several times. If I ever go again, I'd love it if the organiser would switch things round and let the men sit still at one table. That's partly because I'd like to test this theory. More importantly, I might feel slightly less knackered at the end of it all.