Speed dating is a fun and quick way to narrow down the thousands of potential candidates out there. First impressions of people are usually made within the first 30 seconds, and we believe that could apply even in the Internet world (except we are going to give you a bit more time).

If you try out these tips, you may find yourself on the way to speed dating in no time!

Speed dating starts with an initial contact. A quick hello will do. The way that you "qualify" the opposite sex for your own personal speed dating schedule is via their personal profile.

It is habit to start a conversation and ask, "Where are you from?" and "What do you do?" This is not so when using speed dating!

Once you have greeted him/her, your next step will be to schedule an appointment. Something along the lines of, "You have a fantastic profile! Would you be open to an instant message conversation at 3 o'clock where I can give you my undivided attention?"

Then you can briefly educate this person on what speed dating is all about and that they are only allotted 5 minutes so that they understand it's nothing personal when you log off at 3:05.

You will probably want to set up a schedule for yourself, which will include a list of your speed dating "buddies," and you should keep it to about 10 people at a time.

When speed dating, think of the most important questions that you would want to know about the opposite sex and be ready to ask them fast.

You only get 5 minutes in speed dating before you have to move on!

Out of those 10 candidates, you will choose one to go on a date with for the upcoming weekend.

You can base your speed dating questions on whatever you choose, but just remember you can only date one of those ten.

Speed dating at is just one of the many ways you can find someone special quickly and in your direct community. It's a very popular venue and not a big deal so have a go!

If you want to make speed dating even more exciting, you might plan a session with a group of ten same-sex friends.

You'd rotate the 5-minute speed dating discussions almost as if it were a round table discussion, with each participant choosing their date anonymously.

So, there you have it.

Just because there are tens of thousands of people participating in online dating is no reason not to "date" them all! So Go! Try speed dating and you will be well on your way to having fun in (literally) no time.

Defining Romance
There are always a number of men who look vaguely offended when they hear the word "romance," and women who mutter about how they loathe pink hearts. But it doesn't have to be that way. Romance is a cliche only if you allow yourself to think of it that way.

You don't have to serenade people in balconies or build enormous monuments to your love. Romance works well enough without Michael Bolton sappiness and extravagant gestures. You just have to keep in touch with what it's all about.

Sharing Yourself
Sometimes, there is nothing more romantic than truly sharing. The "give in order to receive" rule works here too. Yes, that sounds suspiciously like philanthropy, but while it is actually romantic to give up the last slice of pizza to the one you love, think about sharing on a deeper level - a poem you love, a song that speaks to you, a place that brings magic back into your life, or just a moment when everything clicks and falls into place.

Show your partner or someone you are beginning to know, something really beautiful. Share your innermost secrets, because that's what allows them to look at you and know that you two have a unique connection.

Careful Flirting
Why flirt when you've "got" the other person, and why flirt when years or even just months of being together have taken the passion out of your relationship? Life is all about balance.

You've got to make sure that seriousness and laughter meet halfway. Responsibility and familiarity are great, when tempered with judicious doses of abandon.

Flirting is fun and light-hearted, it reminds you of how things were and still could be, and besides, too much heavy stuff takes the romance out of romance. So bat those eyelashes and propose midnight walks. Just be sure that when your partner flirts with you, you're responsive.

No one likes feeling rejected, especially when they are making an effort to brighten your life.

The element of surprise
This is a natural extension of flirting. Be open to surprises and change in the routine, and you experience one of the fundamental joys of romance, the unexpected. Romance is all about being stimulated in new ways - you can never forget your first kiss, can you? Some people are afraid of commitment simply because it's the thrill of the first kiss or the first caress that they know they will miss. The element of surprise is one of the most vital, energizing things about being romantic. So say no to routine and predictability.

Respect Yourself and Partner
When you're in love you are automatically considerate and go out of your way to meet the other person halfway, right? Yet, if you think about it, romance is a pretty hedonistic feeling. It's all about another person making you feel like your world just expanded and filled with light and music.

But we've all seen this lovely feeling turn into pure selfishness when the first thrill dies down. People start taking each other for granted and expecting the other person to accommodate their every desire.

A healthy dose of respect means that you treat each other with greater understanding and sensitivity - qualities essential to keeping romance alive and truly meaningful.

It's an "Us" Thing
We all know that sex and romance are two different beasts, especially for the ladies, that guys are inarticulate and would replace red roses and candlelit dinners with a football game and beer. Utter Rubbish.

Believing this is akin to believing in the generalization that all men and women are the same because we all have two ears, two eyes and a nose. It can also limit your ideas about romantic experiences to red roses, teddy bears, pink ribbons and the like.

Every situation, every individual, and every couple is different, and when you realize that, you're on your way to having a truly healthy sense of the romantic.

You've got to make your own romantic history with another person, and if this means recognizing the significance of a stinky t-shirt, or that awful room you shared in a Cambodian village, so be it. Romance is not just this mushy thing you read about in women's magazines. It is what you make of it.

Take it easy
You know how queasy you were when you ate a whole chocolate cake instead of just one small, albeit sinfully calorie laden slice. The best things in life come in small, frequent doses.

Overdoing the whole romance thing can give you a hangover or aversion syndrome pretty fast, so other than the fundamentals, dispense the gestures judiciously. Make sure you keep the other person - and yourself - coming back for more.

Romance and Hollywood
The glow of the setting sun, the wind not a notch too low or a notch too high, the hint of love and the whiff of romance in the air, his mischievous smile and her faintly embarrassed look add to the moment that creates the magic of the perfect romantic Hollywood moment until the director cries out, " CUT," that is.

Everything in Hollywood is based on the creation of the perfect moment: the perfect setting, the perfect flowers or diamonds, the perfect designer outfits, the flawless smiles, the perfect person and the perfect romance. Perfection is the mantra that everyone lives by, even off screen at glittering events and award nights. People are a pale imitation of real life figures and Stepford girlfriends or boyfriends are the norm.

The subliminal messages sent out by the romantic comedies and the chick flicks create an image in our mind as to what romance is all about and its effect is so strong that we are disappointed when things in real life do not turn out just so.

Romance is one of the most exciting things to happen to anyone. We are usually in love with the concept of love created by Hollywood. What we are unable to comprehend is the difference between real and reel life.

The concept of perfection is so deeply embedded in our psyche that we fail to see the beauty in reality. Today our obsession with Hollywood is so great that the nip/tuckers of the world are making a fortune. People are dissatisfied with themselves and refuse to acknowledge the beauty in anyone different. A point in the matter is the fairytale romance and A - list wedding of Jennifer Anniston and Brad Pitt.

They embodied our idea of perfection. Every girl wanted the Jen haircut, while every man wanted the Pitt smile. Today, after the romance has gone out the window for these two and Angelina Jolie has replaced the golden girl from Friends, everyone now wants the famous Jolie pout. It just goes to show that even the rich and famous are not free from the hassles of the make believe Hollywood romance.

Why else would an eligible bachelor like George Clooney still be single? The head honchos in Hollywood have always created role models with feet of clay - like Marilyn Monroe or Elvis Presley. A long hard look into at their lives shows us the chinks in the armor.

Both of these legendary and desirable figures were so unhappy with their lives that they committed suicide. There is not much hope for us mere mortals unless we realize that a Hollywood movie is just to enjoy for those 2 hours. Then we must step back into reality and be happy with the hand life has dealt us.

We should count our blessings while we still can, or else the whirlpool of stardust dreams that is Hollywood will suck us in and spit us out as bitter, unhappy, and disillusioned individuals.

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