According to the PR people at Colgate Palmolive, speed dating is all the rage in New Zealand. We found this article in Scoop Independent News.
Dating frenzy hits New Zealand
Dating frenzy hits New Zealand
News release
June 14, 2006Dating frenzy hits New ZealandIt’s a dating frenzy! The singles scene is alive and kicking up its heels in New Zealand going by the response to the Colgate® Max Fresh™ Speed Dating Challenge.
The organisers have been swamped, registrations outnumbering by over three to one the places available at New Zealand’s speed dating ‘date-off’.
Event coordinator Gabrielle Squires of Colgate-Palmolive® Ltd says the rush for places at both the North and South Island functions has meant the organisers are going to close entries earlier than expected (at midnight, Friday, June 16).
“Prospective suitors have registered from far and wide – from as far away as Kapiti and Wanganui for Auckland and Wanaka and Invercargill for Christchurch,†Ms Squires says.
“We’ve got room for 50 men and 50 women at each venue but as of today (June 14) registrations are at almost 700, so we are moving forward the closing date by two days.â€
It’s good to see so many zealous New Zealanders want to compete for most popular man and woman. It is kind of like high school, but with a lot less guile and the chance to win prizes. If you are the former prom queen or king then you pretty much now how this works. The most popular out manuever the most gifted for the gifts.
Top prize is a trip for two to Queensland, a surfboard, and a microwave oven. Just kidding about the oven. Who cooks, anyway? Even if it is only mcrowave. You can also win ski passes and restaurant vouchers, all in exchange for the chance to get next to someone you might find attractive and at least of modicum of your self-esteem.
Maybe the more heady contestants train by hitting on potential dates in parks and cafes, or the even the supermarket checkout line to work on that right combination of charm and speed.
We don’t know if speed daters or their respective agencies conduct background checks, but given the hurried atmosphere and the brief encounter, it may make sense to find out if the person you just met is a former axe murderer, or the kind of guy who thinks of you as a financial partner, even long after he has stolen your identity.
Well, lest we be wet blankets, we wish them luck in Kiwi Land. In three minutes, the time allotted ofr each “dating” session, you are bound to find the person of your dreams.
