Simulated Dating?

Evidently "simulated dating" is the latest way for singles to meet in New York. According to a report on MSNBC, singles are going to extremes to meet the right someone, including "simulated dating", "Dinner in the Dark", "speed dating", and internet dating, called "Dating on Demand". I am not making this up!!! Here is the first part of the report.

NEW YORK - Boy meets girl. Boy likes girl. Boy and girl have coffee together. Girl evaluates boy's interpersonal style. Girl tells boy what he did and did not do right. Boy never sees girl again. Whole thing costs boy $195.

Sound like a bad date? Not exactly.

In the cutthroat world of New York dating, it's one of the many ways singles look for an edge. This service, a simulated "date," is offered by First Impressions Consulting; one of many quirky methods available nowadays to meet a mate.

It's no wonder as the number of single American adults — around 86 million, according to the American Association of Single People — is believed to be at an all-time high.

And they are going to ever-greater lengths to meet their match.

The process at First Impressions is simple, but has an almost cloak-and-dagger feel to it.

Clients are told they will meet their "date" at a stylish cafe in New York’s Soho area. The date will be sitting alone, reading a copy of The New York Times. If you are a boy, you are told your date's name is Susan Green. You are told she is single and lives in the area. She likes film, travel and painting. You are to assume that she's roughly your age and that you find her attractive. As the client, the onus is on you to approach her, introduce yourself and pick up the tab at the cafe.

Afterward, your date — actually a First Impressions consultant with an advanced degree in psychology — reveals her real name, describes what kind of impression was made and makes suggestions for improvements.

Of course, the immediate reaction of some people when told they, for example, don't give out enough personal information, or they don't make enough eye contact, is: what gives you the right …?

There are plenty of other quirky matchmaking services.

In New York, there's Dinner in the Dark, which arranges meals in a pitch-black bar and restaurant. Waiters equipped with night goggles are the only ones who can see — leaving clients to fumble with their utensil-free dinner while getting to know their prospective matches, from the inside out. Candles are lit during dessert, when clients see who is sitting next to them.

In San Francisco, there's Table for Six, which sets groups of singles up for dinner at upscale restaurants. After the meal, organizers make follow-up matchmaking phone calls for interested clients.

No time to waste? Try speed dating. ...read more here