Just getting up the nerve to ask someone out can cause some people to sweat uncontrollably.
When you finally do strike up the courage to actually have a conversation with someone, it can take extraordinary concentration not to sputter out sentence fragments and make a complete fool of yourself.
Ahh, the single life.
Turns out, there is an alternative to this potentially tortuous dating ritual. Pre-Dating, a trendy new way of meeting Mr. or Ms. Right, is sweeping the nation. Last night, Pre-Dating had its Harrisburg debut with an event at Scott's Grille on Locust Street.
The idea is to cut out the awkwardness and inefficiency of traditional dating by giving men and women a chance to briefly meet and speak with each other before going on an actual date.
"When you go to a nightclub or a party, you battle loud music and smoke waiting to be talked to, or searching for someone to talk with, and there's no certainty of meeting someone," said Laurie Lichlyter, the coordinator of the Harrisburg Pre-Dating event.
Participants at last night's Pre-Dating at Scott's spent six minutes talking to potential dates (or mates) before a bell rang signaling for everyone to change partners and chat for another six minutes. In an hour-and-a-half, these singles -- between the ages of 26 and 39 -- met about a dozen people, any number of whom could end up being their next date.
"Pre-Dating is a six-minute test drive without the stress or potential embarrassment of being rejected on the spot," Lichlyter said.
Each participant was given a card to carry throughout the event. After each pre-date, couples discreetly circle "yes" or "no" regarding whether they would like to go on a date with the other person. If both circle "yes," they will receive each other's e-mail address or phone number the next day.
"We have a 70-percent rate of people getting at least one match," said Dana Villanova, spokeswoman for Pre-Dating Events, LLC, the company that developed the program.
For those who don't make a love connection the first time around, Pre-Dating Events offers a half-price discount for a second event. And if that person still hasn't found a match after two events, the third event is free, Villanova said.
Pre-Dating Events has hosted singles events in more than 20 cities around the country. The Harrisburg event is likely to be the first of many.
Singles pay $26 to attend the events, and the fee does not include food or drinks. Still, Lichlyter said, it's cheaper than the average date -- and less stressful.
The experience was well worth the cost for Nick Falvo, 24, of Mechanicsburg. He was below the age minimum, but got to participate to fill the quota on the men's side.
"I thought it was pretty cool," Falvo said. "I've been to Wanda's [Deck & Beach Club, Hampden Twp.] and I've been to other clubs. It's just too hard to talk to people.
"You actually get to know more about somebody in six minutes than you would the whole night dancing and drinking at Wanda's."
For more information on local Pre-Dating Events, visit the company's Web Site at www.pre-dating.com/Harrisburg.
