22 Dec The Columbus Dispatch | Services available when Cupid needs help

Finding a soul mate isn’t necessarily what it used to be. In the 21st century, the search has, in some ways, become easier and faster; and, in other ways, more complicated – and costly. How else to explain the $928 million generated annually by the U.S. dating-services industry?

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Original Article on www.dispatch.com

Finding a soul mate isn’t necessarily what it used to be.

In the 21st century, the search has, in some ways, become easier and faster; and, in other ways, more complicated – and costly. How else to explain the $928 million generated annually by the U.S. dating-services industry?

Finding someone who is interested in a meaningful, committed relationship seemingly isn’t easy for many 20- and 30-somethings.

“Young people have high expectations for marriage,” said Claire M. Kamp Dush, an assistant professor of human development and family science at Ohio State University. “The median age for marriage has gone up over the years. ″

U.S. census data underscores the point: Twenty years ago, 61 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds had never been married, compared with 85 percent in 2012.

For central Ohioans who fall within that group and happen to be “looking,” The Dispatch explored a sampling of less- conventional dating services being offered (and tried) these days.For those who have been out of the market for a while, the examples provide a sense of what they’re missing – for better or worse.

Speed dating

Upon showing up at a speed-dating event in October 2010 as a favor to the organizer, neither Nick Minto nor Emily Yantis was expecting much.They certainly weren’t expecting to find love.

I think we crossed paths a lot and didn’t realize it,” said Yantis, 31. “I don’t think that, without speed dating, we would have ever really met each other.”

The couple, who married on Nov. 10, see a big upside to events hosted by Pre-Dating Speed Dating – which they attended. “It’s a great opportunity to find people who really want to date and find somebody,” said Minto, 39.

Pre-Dating Speed Dating, based in Plantation, Fla., is touted as the largest company in the world that sets up and hosts speed-dating events, guarantees a match and promises “quality” single professionals at its gatherings.

Speed dating appeals to some people because the process is relatively inexpensive, involves no face-to-face rejection and allows participants to meet at least several people in a brief time.

The process works like this:

• Each week, several events are scheduled at a couple of Columbus-area restaurant/bars.
• Those interested in attending visit the company website (www.pre-dating. com) to register and pay a $29 fee. The events are grouped by age (generally within a 10-year range), with about 10 or 12 men and women at each event.
• Upon arrival, participants check in with the coordinator and are assigned a number and paired at a table with a participant of the opposite sex.
• Each pairing runs six minutes – enough time, company officials say, to know whether you want to spend more time with someone you’ve just met. When the time limit is reached, the coordinator signals for the men to move to the next table (and the next woman). The timer is started again, and the process is repeated until every man and woman have met.
• Within the six-minute window, participants fill out “match sheets” to indicate whether they’re interested in the other person.
• The event lasts about 90 minutes to two hours, and, at night’s end, the coordinator collects the match sheets. Within 24 hours, the coordinator emails each attendee with the results, along with the email addresses of participants who indicated an interest.

Joe Stein, 31, of Powell so enjoyed the first such event he attended that he decided to return for a second one at Bar Louie.  “I just think it’s a great way to meet new people – for networking, friends, dating, whatever,” he said.

Article Continued on www.dispatch.com