How can I become a member?

The first step is to complete our free online registration. Becoming a Beijing Speed Dating member is absolutely free! You just have to register where you will tell us a bit about who you are and who you’d like to meet. You pay only for the events you choose to attend at the door.

What happens when I arrive at the event?

When you arrive you will be welcomed, checked in and you will receive a personal match card and a pen and invited to have a drink at the bar. You will be made to feel comfortable. Just relaxe.

How does the whole thing work?

When everyone has arrived one of our hosts will do a short introductory welcoming speech, explain some of the logistics, explain how to use your Speeding card, etc. Once the dating part of the evening starts, those with badge number one will start at table number one, those with badge number two at table number two and so on.  After five minutes, we will ring a bell, the girls will stay seated and all the guys will move round one table. This continues (with a twenty minute half time break) until you have met everyone there.

How many dates will I get at a Slow Dating event?

You can expect a minimum of ten to twenty dates. It depends on the age group and the demand. Any more dates and you would be probably exhausted.

How do I use the match card?

At your match card you write down the names of your dates and put either a yes or no next to each name to the question "would you like to see this person again?".

When everyone has arrived one of our hosts will do a short introductory welcoming speech, explain some of the logistics, explain how to use your Speeding card and so on and reaffirm that we are here to make sure you have a good time.

There is no limit to the number of "yes’s" you choose and your choices are just between you and Beijing dating. If you have put a "yes" to someone who has also put a "yes" to you, that's a match!

How long does each event last?

We do our best to keep the event running to schedule which means the event will last just under two hours including a twenty minute half time breather. Generally an event will start at 7.30 pm and finish between 9-10 pm.

Please be there early enough so that you can check in and make yourself convenient. You will feel also much more relaxed if you come earlier and have time to look around.

Is five minutes per date long enough?

Five minutes clearly isn't enough time to get to know someone but it is enough time to make your mind up whether you want to see that person again or not. Five minutes turns out to be the perfect amount of time.

Five minutes is short enough to leave your date wanting more if they are interested, relieving them of any hesitation at exchanging follow up information. Five minutes is also not too long if the other person turns out to be a disaster.

We want you to have not only fun, but ultimately a successful evening. At Beijing Dating, we don't want to rush you. We feel that three minutes is too short a time with all the moving between tables and the note taking. We strongly believe that five minutes is the right amount of time to decide whether you're prepared to invest more time in follow up emails and phone calls to land a real date with someone you meet at one of our events. Five minutes per date also enables you to meet 10-20 dates in one night without getting completely worn out.

How will I know If I get any matches?

After the event everyone will give their scorecard to one of our hosts. Matches are emailed or send in a sms text message to participants within 48 hours. Usually they will be sent before midday the day after the event, however if there is some following up needed it can take a little longer.

How soon after the event will I receive my matches?

Matches are emailed to participants within 48 hours at the latest. Usually they will be sent before midday the day after the event, however if there is some following up needed it can take a little longer. Everyone will receive an e-mail with the contact details of their perfect matches. This means that within 2 days, if you join us, you will receive by e-mail a list of names and phone numbers of people that you met and liked and who want to see you again too!! From then on it will be up to you to contact each other, and set up a dinner date or whatever you like.

How will my matches contact me?

We’ll provide your matches with the email address or phone number you gave us for matches when you registered. You can select how you would like to be contacted.

Who calls who?

We encourage both parties to call or email each other. Remember, you already know the other person is interested in meeting you too!

Can you tell me if X ticked me? Can I have their contact details?

Beijing Speed Dating works by putting people who match, means those who scored each other with a yes, in touch with each other. If you have matched with someone, you will be able to contact them again. To protect everyone involved we will not forward anyone’s details unless there is a match.

How much does it cost to attend an event?

Depending upon the venue we hire, it's typically 250 yuan for all your evening's entertainment. You will get one drink for free and some hors d' oeuvres. If you think how much time and money it would cost you to go on 10 to 20 dates for dinner with a person you maybe have never seen before and recognize already in the first minute that you don’t even want to have dinner with. At Beijing dating you will get to know many nice people in one evening and can then decide whether you would like to see that person again or not.

Can I cancel?

Yes – provided you contact us by email or phone at least three working days before the event. As we don’t ask you to pay in advance, like many other agencies do, we appeal to you to inform us early enough that we can replace you and ensure an equal number of men and women on each of our events.

I don’t have an email address, can I still join in?

Yes. We cater for everyone whether you have an email address or not. You can call us to register and simply use your mobile number in place of an email address. We can then keep you up to date with Instant Match SMS text messages after an event, upcoming events and special offers.

What sort of people go speed dating?

Our guests tend to be single professionals which have heavy work loads which leave little time or energy for them to find partner. Speed dating is still a relatively new concept, so that our guests are the early adopters that try out new things before the rest of the society.

Do many people come on their own?

About a third do - we make a point of ensuring our hosts will make sure you are comfortable. If you do come alone, don't be afraid to chat to other daters before the dating starts. Everyone will be very friendly and other people who are alone will welcome you chatting to them too. Don’t forget, everybody will be there for the same reason as you! So don’t be afraid.

Can I bring a friend?

Yes of course. Many do for moral support and to help overcome first date nerves. Depending upon the venue, we can normally accommodate your friends who want to come along but not participate. There is generally no charge for “guests”. But as there will be 20 to 40 daters we would like to know in advance who would like to come with a friend for moral support. Please contact us for confirmation.

Can I sign up with a friend?

Yes. You can register with up to 3 friends. Please make sure you are all of similar age. Please register and follow the step by step instructions. You and your friends will be invited to the same speed dating event.

What should I wear?

We do not operate a strict dress code, however we generally advise to dress 'Smart' Casual. Be yourself. This is not a fashion show. Wear what you are comfortable with but don't forget That first impressions count!

Will you run special Beijing Speed Dating sessions for private groups?

You can also book for a group of people in your office, work, etc. We also will be happy to come to the location of your choice and run an official speed dating party just for your members. Just email us information about your group. Tell us how many places you require for both ladies and/or men. You will then be asked to provide the information for all your friends. If you don't know all the information, don't worry, we can obtain that when you do know. You will then be sent a Booking Confirmation via email. Your friends will too be sent confirmations providing you have supplied their email addresses. Then we will take it from there.

Do you have events for certain ethnic groups, backgrounds, religions?

Of course. But it depends on the demand. Certain types of registrations may take longer to create an event for. But definitely we will try our best to create a suitable event for you.

Do Beijing speeddating cater for gays and lesbians?

Absolutely! When you register, you are asked your sex and the sex of the people you would like to meet. You will then be invited to an event that caters for your particular sexual orientation. Same sex events are facilitated slightly differently from straight events, our experienced hosts determining who will remain seated and who will move from table to table.

Will I meet new people on each event?

While we can’t guarantee that ALL participants will be new, our system will not allow you to be included in a speed dating event where there are two or more people whom you have previously met. Please note: the system makes this check at the point when you attempt to accept an invitation. If there is one person that you have met before that has already been included in the event, the system will tell you that person's first name and initial, if you're happy to meet that person again you may accept the invitation. If there are 2 or more people that you have met before the system will not allow you to accept the invitation - we apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.

When are events held?

For every event we specially tailor the guest list. We consider age, age group preference and an element of personality profiling. We do not like other services operate a first come first served format.

Our events are held during the week and on weekends. It varies because we make every event individually. If we consider you for an event we will let you know about the day and location. Then you can decide whether you would like to attend this event or not. Most of our events are held on Sundays, Tuesdays or Thursdays.

Where are events held?

At a cosy bar/lounge somewhere in the chaoyang district. The location varies. For every invitation we send you we will let you know in advance at what location the event will be held.

Are there always equal numbers of men and women at these events?

We go to very great lengths to ensure that we have an equal number of men and women at each of our events. We ensure that we have the required number of people confirmed and we send out several email and SMS reminders. We also ask people to let us know if they can no longer make it as we can usually fill a space, even at the last minute. Nevertheless, not everyone let us know if they can no longer make it, so from time to time there will be unequal numbers, despite our best efforts.

Do I need to pay upfront?

No. You will pay at the event you attend. But as we don’t ask you to pay in advance, like many other agencies do, we appeal to you to inform us early enough that we can replace you and ensure an equal number of men and women on each of our events. If you cancel please contact us by email or phone at least three working days before the event.

What age group to you cater for?

We cater for people aged 20 – 65. Typically the people are aged ~ 23 to ~ 45. (Please note that these are guidelines). You may still register if you are not in these age groups.

How soon after registering will I get an invitation?

We wait until enough compatible people have registered before creating a party. Once a suitable party has been created we will email you an invitation - usually within 3 weeks of registering. If you are not able to make it on the day indicated, don't worry, just let us know and you will automatically be invited to the next to the next suitable event.

Certain types of registrations may take longer to create an event. But definitely we will try our best to create a suitable event for you.

Still more questions? No problem just write to our support.