Nick Naccari wants to spice up what he sees as a slow social scene in the San Lorenzo Valley with some speed dating.
The 54-year-old entrepreneurial cupid hopes the dating trend that allows singles to meet multiple potential dates in brief time blocks will help match the area’s lonely and bored.
“There are a lot of single people in the area — divorcees, people who don’t have time to get out more. There are also a lot of working people in the valley that are single and would like to meet somebody,” Naccari said. “And, let’s face it, the bar scene around here is pretty sad and not conducive to meeting people. Besides that, there is not much else to do in the evenings in the valley.”
Naccari got the idea while thinking of ways to make some ducats.
“With the present economy, it’s hard to find a job,” Naccari said. “I also think this is a good way to fill the need for social activity in the San Lorenzo Valley.”
Using the standard speed-dating blueprint, Naccari is hoping to gather a group of 20 participants between the ages of 35 and 50.
There will be two rows of seating, and participants will face each other as they meet for 10 minutes before moving to the next person in line, Naccari said.
“Each person will be designated a number or letter to retain anonymity,” he said.
Participants will be given a grading card to rate each person on a one-to-five scale. People who mutually write high marks for each other will get an e-mail to confirm the match.
“Then we’ll leave it up to them to set up another meeting or exchange phone numbers,” Naccari said.
There will also be a small mingling period at the end of the event, Naccari said.
Speed-dating history
Truly part of the new millennium, speed dating gained popularity around the turn of the century (the first speed dating event of record took place in 1998), according to speeddating.com. The round-robin dating practice has been featured in numerous shows, including “60 Minutes,” “Sex and the City” and “The Simpsons,” to name a few.
Naccari’s idea, not accidentally, is launching at the wave of Valentine’s Day media popularity — speed dating has made headlines across the globe this week in light of the lover’s holiday.
In Pattaya City, Thailand, a singles event may make it to the Guinness World Records this Valentine’s Day for the most people to participate in speed dating. So far, more than 500 people have signed up, which would break the Hamburg, Germany, record in which 252 participants gathered in November 2008, according to The Nation magazine.
Skyecandy, a Skype-based communications software, will also officially launch on Valentine’s Day for users to speed date across the world. The Skype speed dates last five minutes, with a minute in between to allow singles to answer yes or no. If both vote yes, the conversation can continue longer. The 24-hour service has been in beta mode during the past six months and has already generated more than 10,000 members globally, reflecting a keen interest in the efficiency-based model of dating.
And this model hasn’t just been successful with dating.
Doc Shop, a Texas-based marketing program, made the news for matching patients with obstetrician-gynecologists using the speed-dating model of round-robin 10 minute conversations to determine compatibility, according to the American Medical Association. The program has been so successful that Doc Shop is expanding the model to include pediatricians and may add additional primary care specialists.
But Naccari is looking to bring the dating phenomenon locally. Especially since his own foray into the world of 10-minute dates was successful.
“I went to a speed dating event in San Francisco years ago. The friend I went with ended up dating a guy she met there for years, and even though I didn’t find anyone serious, I had a great time meeting and talking to new people,” said Naccari, who is now married.
Naccari hopes his own endeavor will create some love sparks of its own, though he said he doesn’t think of himself as a matchmaker.
“I think of it more as being a facilitator,” Naccari said. “It’s creating a forum for people to meet other people. There are too many lonely people around here.”
At a glance
WHAT: Speed dating
WHEN: 7 p.m. Feb. 21
WHERE: The Satellite, 6265 Highway 9, in Felton
DETAILS: The event is open to anyone. Speed-dating socials are planned for the third Sunday of every month. Call to reserve a spot or get more information.
COST: $20
INFO: Nick Naccari, 332-9734
