While sharing dinner the other night, my friend Anna said to me, “Oh, by the way, I’m going to have a great blog for you.” She confessed that she had just signed up at “Lunch Dates.com.” At first I thought that she meant “speed dating”, where you sign up in advance and pay a small fee. Then you would go to a local restaurant/bar and meet several prospective dates by moving table to table within an allotted time (say 15 minutes per person). For busy people it’s a possible solution to not having the time to meet people.
This wasn’t what she was talking about. It seems “Lunch Dates” comes with a price tag of $1700. per year (the special offer). This entitles you to 1-2 dates per month for one year. The initial interview is by telephone and lasts 45 minutes. Details of the service are discussed. After you sign a contract that states you are single, have no felony charges, and will not go on any public sites for the year, you are assigned a “personal matchmaker.”
Your matchmaker calls and speaks to you for 30 minutes about all the things that are important to you in a person, and the deal breakers…maybe no man under 5’5”, smoker, doesn’t like to travel, doesn’t golf, loves to golf.
You get the call and your matchmaker tells you about the fabulous person they have for you.
Anna was really excited to hear about her prospect. She was told his name, and the woman started to describe him . Anna was thinking “this can’t be happening.” She said to the woman “I already went out with him.” I was thinking, well, at least she chose a person that Anna would have chosen, so that’s encouraging.
What happened was that this man was on Match.com (a few years earlier) and he posted a picture of himself with brown hair. When she actually met him for their date his hair was totally gray. The picture must have been from 10 years ago. She was so shocked that one of the first things she said to him was “Your hair is gray, I didn’t expect that from your picture.” I guess he was shocked at her candor. Anna said the date did not go well. They had their drinks and never connected again. She said he really was a very handsome man and didn’t understand why he hadn’t posted a current picture. Another plug for honesty. Posting an old picture is kind of a lie, isn’t it?
Continuing… your first date is set up for you in a safe, public place. You are to check in with the maitre d’/hostess. You wait at the bar, and plan to keep it casual with drinks and appetizers. The recommendation is that you “go dutch,” pay for yourself. It’s up to the two of you to decide whether you want to have dinner or not.
Anna is waiting for her first date, which should take place next week. After the date she will speak to her matchmaker and tell her about the pros and cons of the date. This person speaks to both parties and provides feedback only if it is helpful. (example: you should not be talking about your ex.) You are to speak freely about what you enjoyed about the person, and what you didn’t. It helps in the selection of your next date. And, this continues for one year, max. However, if you meet your perfect match sooner, you do not get a refund.
The maximum number of match-ups per month would be 2. (Unlike Match.com where you could date a different person every day of the week if you wanted.)
I went on-line to check out Lunch Dates.com. The reviews went from “A total waste of money” to “I met my husband on our 4th date.” This is life. You have make an educated decision in spite of all the conflicting information.
In the end, your opinion is the only one that really matters.
I’ll keep you posted!
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