Speed dating is a structured environment where two singles chat for 4-6 minutes in a seated position and subsequently tick “yes” or “no” on their matching card, depending whether they would like their contact information exchanged with the person they just spoke to.

Having personally hosted 100’s of speed dating events across Australia in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and the Gold Coast, greeted thousands of attendees, and viewed thousands of matching cards. Consistent patterns have emerged regarding the attire, behaviour, personality, and physical attributes of male attendees who receive the highest number “yes ticks” at speed dating events.

The information contained within this blog is anecdotal in nature, and based on observations. However, I am almost certain that if 1000’s of speed dating events were undertaken in Australia by a university, or research institution with subsequent statistical analysis undertaken. The findings presented within this blog would emerge.

It is important to note that speed dating events are different in nature from other methods of finding a compatible partner such as: asking someone out at a bar, online dating sites and apps, meeting though friends, or at work.

Therefore, the attributes with which females gauge initial attraction in a typical bar, work environment, online dating sites, or pretty much any other potential situation would likely be different.

Speed dating attendees are generally looking for a long-term relationship, and have the opportunity to engage in a one on one seated conversation before deciding on whether they would like to tick “yes” or “no”.

This is generally not possible in a typical bar environment, and definitely isn’t possible using only dating sites, and apps. In addition, many people on online dating sites, and your typical bar environment are looking for a short-term relationship or a “hook-up”.

Contrary to what most people would expect. Looks have very little impact on the number of yes ticks a male participant will receive at a speed dating event.
While physical appearance does contribute. There are other factors which have significantly more impact, and a stereotypically physically attractive male will almost always get less yes ticks than a male who exhibits other attributes presented in this blog.

For males, the most important factor which affects the number of yes ticks they will receive from female attendees, is attire.

Males who attend an event wearing a suit and tie will almost always achieve more yes ticks that any other attendee regardless of looks.

A trap many Males fall into is wearing a t-shirt to show off their physique. However, male attendees wearing a t-shirt almost always achieve zero, or at the most one, or two yes ticks no matter how buff they are.

There is however one an exception.

Which leads us to: Does height matter?

The answer is:

For males 5’7 to around 6’2 there is virtually no difference. However, males who are extremely tall e.g. over 6’3, have a distinct advantage. A male over 6’3 could wear a t-shirt, have the most boring personality in the world and still get a significantly high amount of yes ticks.

Personality, social skills, and confidence have the second largest impact. A playful, cheeky, sociable, yet confident personality, will result in more yes ticks than a stereotypically attractive male who possesses poor social skills.
To summarise: Physical attractiveness has very little impact on the number of yes ticks a male will receive at a speed dating event.

In order of priority the key factors are:

1. Attire
2. Personality / Confidence
3. Physical attractiveness

The findings presented in this blog, are however in no way a guide to the most important factors that affect initial attraction. They are simply general attributes important in determining initial attraction within a controlled, conversational, seated one on one environment.

They are presented in the interest of insights into human psychology, nor do we believe in any way that achieving a high number of yes ticks at a speed dating event should be anyone’s goal.

Your goal should be to find a compatible partner who you love, care for, and are able to build a relationship with which provides happiness to both you and your partner.