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Six-minute dates for 50+ singles
Hope after divorce
For many older adults, a return to the dating world often comes after another relationship ends.
PHOTO COURTESY OF PRE-DATING SPEED DATING
By Laura Sturza If you’re single and keep telling yourself, “I’ve got to put myself out there if I’m going to meet someone,” speed dating may be for you. This unique dating format offers the chance to meet multiple singles in your age range in a single evening. You won’t be alone in trying it out. “The 50 and up crowd is our fastest growing clientele,” said Paloma Campbell, a coordinating assistant with Maryland Singles Social Club, which runs events in Baltimore, Howard, Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. Each event is held at a different bar, hotel or restaurant, typically in a private area. A host welcomes everyone and gives them a nametag — along with some encouragement. Often the women stay seated at tables while the men rotate from one table to the next, allowing people to meet as many as 16 prospects in six- to eight-minute minidates. When the time is up, the host signals for half of the guests to change seats and meet someone new. People who have tried speed dating tend to enjoy it even if they don’t meet the love of their life. “It was kind of fun — it was definitely exciting. It gave me that school-dance-butterflies feeling,” said Linda R. (last name withheld for privacy), 56, whose husband passed away in 2007. At the end of each mini-date, participants indicate whether they would like to share their contact information with the person they have just met. If it’s mutual, the organizers then connect them: Within 24 to 48 hours, participants receive an email with the contact information of the people they liked. They can take it from there. “One of the nice things about speed dating is, people are polite, respectful, nice to each other, so even if there isn’t a match, it’s a chance to just meet new people — as opposed to online, where people ghost you,” said 61-year-old Mark Gianturco, who has been to two events.
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LEISURE & TRAVEL
The Faroe Islands blend grandeur with serenity; plus, Madrid’s lively streets and museums awaken the senses page 15
At a speed dating event held by Pre-Dating Speed Dating, couples spend a few minutes getting to know each other and then move on. Many singles over 50 say they enjoy the experience even if they don’t make a love connection.
Gianturco divorced three years ago after 33 years of marriage. His three adult daughters are rooting for him to find a partner for the next chapter of his life, he said. “I plan on finding a partner and hopefully having a lifelong relationship,” Gianturco said, but explained that it has so far been difficult to meet people. “It’s not the paradigm anymore that you go shopping and meet the love of [your] life. I’m sure it happens, but the social dynamics are different…I hope I find my person.” While he hasn’t yet found the woman of his dreams, Gianturco still considers his speed dating experiences a success. After all, he put himself out there, along with everyone else who attended. Doing so, he believes, has brought him one step closer to meeting his match.
Authentic interactions
While many might find the idea of speed dating daunting, others are ready to try it, especially those who have been disappointed in their attempts to meet someone through friends, shared interest groups, or dating apps such as SilverSingles and SeniorMatch. Gianturco prefers speed dating to dating apps because he says meeting someone in person provides nuance that is lacking in online dating. During short, face-to-face encounters, he said, “You’ve exchanged much more information than you would with endless days of texting, and the information you exchange is richer.” There is another advantage to this inperson dating approach: authenticity. Gianturco has encountered a few women who misrepresented themselves online, See SPEED DATING, page 21
ARTS & STYLE
It’s the Baltimore Choral Arts Society’s big season; plus, a haiku writer and our new advice column, Love After 50 page 18
FITNESS & HEALTH k Music can ease pain k Longevity lessons
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LAW & MONEY k Go cash-free safely k Papers to have on hand
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