Speed-dating event at Atlas Park

Sally Wong, a bubbly outgoing 35-year-old marketing assistant from Whitestone, already considers herself a veteran of the newest dating game, speed dating. One of about 70 singles gathered at The Shops at Atlas Park’s Shiro of Japan for a pre-event icebreaker, Sally came to have fun and enjoy the conversation. “If I meet someone, that’s a bonus,” she said.
As the dozens of singles gathered and drinks flowed freely, people moved around the room with a list of icebreaker questions.
Michael 805 (all participants are identified by nametags that include first names and a code) said that this was his 3rd speed-dating event. “It’s an informal, fun way to meet a good number of people face-to-face in a short period of time, with no pressure,” he said. Michael who is 53 years old and works in real estate, said that he has always been single, but is looking for a long-term relationship.
This event was organized for The Shops at Atlas Park by Risa Glaser, from 8minutedating.com, a company that according to Glaser is the nation’s leading speed dating service. She runs seven dating events per month in Queens and on Long Island. Although touted as an opportunity to get a date for Valentine’s Day, most of the participants were not concerned about whether they had a date for February 14 or not. “I’m here to have fun. It’s a way to meet new people, to meet someone to talk to,” said Mercedes Delrosario who had come with her friend, Patricia Litrenta.
At 8 MinuteDating events, singles have eight one-on-one dates that last eight minutes each. At the end of each date, each party will make a notation on their dating card whether or not he or she is interested in the other person. If both individuals are interested, the company will then share their contact information so a second date can be arranged. The Atlas Park event was designed to have singles meet and mingle in several different locations including two restaurants.
Sally Wong thoroughly enjoyed herself. “I love Risa Glaser events. A big event like this is . . . free flowing. Crowded is good, more people to look at, more people looking, more possibilities,” she said.
The singles were divided into age groups - 23-33, 34-44 and 45-55 - but for people like Wong who at 35 falls in the middle, the icebreaker event allowed her to meet people outside the strict confines of her group. “This is much better than going to bar or club because they actually talk to you. If something comes out of it it’s a bonus.” Wong didn’t get a date for Valentine’s Day, “Too much pressure,” she said, but is happy to be communicating with three of the men she met.
Erin O’Rourke, 40, wasn’t quite so lucky. She came hoping to meet someone nice, and while ultimately looking for a long term relationship, for now she’d be happy to meet someone whose company she can enjoy.
Glaser considered the event a huge success. “We got hundreds of matches, and there were people who stayed chatting long after the event finished. When I left there were still three couples hanging out, and they looked to be having a wonderful time,” she said.