There’s no doubt that there are lots of advantages to meeting guys online via apps like Grindr and Scruff. But as we become increasingly dependent on virtual meetings, I find I prefer meeting people in real life, which my friends tell me is ‘old skool’. Apparently.

There’s no substitute for meeting someone in real life and to me there’s nothing sexier than a man who can hold his own in public. You get an immediate sense of their energy, how they carry themselves and behave, what they are really like and how they treat their friends. And it’s certainly harder for people to lie about their age, looks and body when they are physically standing in front of you.

Having recently become single I wanted to explore some of the other dating options around, and on my search I found something that has always intrigued me – Speed Dating.

It’s a fantastically fun alternative to the standard ways of meeting and dating guys. Firstly it offers you a opportunity to genuinely meet and socialize with real men. It’s far more social than chatting to guys on an app or at a club. And it doesn’t have any of the ongoing commitment of joining a community or social group. You get to meet a stack of guys, and regardless of how your dates go it will only last two minutes before you’re free to decide whether you’ll say goodbye to your bad dreams or take it further with your dream guy. Perfect!

I relished the opportunity to dive head first into a new experience. I went along to Speed Dating with Dean – A gay speed dating event that was on as part of Melbourne’s Midsumma Festival – an event that luckily is heading up to Sydney Mardi Gras. The event I went to had a Country & Western theme, so I put on a plaid shirt and took along a tacky toy gun.

Take a look at the photos:

So how did it work?

Basically, people arrived at a specified time. On entry, you’re given a simple form to fill out with some basic contact info and a bit about yourself. That info is purely for the organisers to help match you up with the right people.

There’s plenty of time then to have a drink, mingle a bit, and scope out the talent before the actual dating starts. Once the dating starts, you’re given just two minutes to chat with each guy, and then decide whether or not you would like them to contact you to take it further.

On the night I went along there were so many guys there that we only had time for 12 dates each. Luckily we were also give little ‘passing glances’ tags, so that if we spotted someone we fancied but didn’t have time to date, we could still hit ‘em up to see if they were interested. Of course the best time is after the formal dates, when there is still time to socialize and chat to the guys hanging around.

The dating organisers then take a couple of days to tally up all the responses and match you up with the guys you connected with. They sent out an individual email with successful match ups and passing glances. I received two invitations to a second date, and a passing glance. Woo Hoo. I’ve got to admit it was one of the best and most fun dating experiences I’ve had. I even made a couple of new friends.

However if I could do it all again, and lets face it, I probably will, then I would have been a bit better prepared. But just because I flew blind, doesn’t mean you have to.

Check out my speed dating tips, and get ahead with the inside info from someone who’s actually done it…