We'd like to share a couple of common questions we get from customers, and give our comments on these.  Like everything we write in our blog, we invite you to respond if you disagree, or have something extra to add.

"I felt I had a great connection with Sarah.  We had a great mini-date, and spoke again after the event was over.  I know she would have picked me - perhaps there is something wrong with your system? - regards Tony"

Unfortunately, no, there is nothing wrong with the matching system - it has worked without error for 600 events now.   Although the above question sometimes comes from women, 90% of the time it comes to us from men.  Sarah (our made-up example in this case) simply decided not to select Tony (the other made-up name), despite Tony being 100% positive that he was about to get a match.

Something to remember is that one of the positive things about speed-dating is how anonymous and pressure-free it is.  Women (and men) can feel totally safe to be as friendly and welcoming as they like, and they may still opt not to select someone.  Some customers have a naturally warm and flirtacious nature, and want everyone they meet to feel like they've had a great experience in their short time together.  They also may be someone that would have difficulty saying no to a date if asked outright.  It may be that they choose to go speed-dating for exactly this reason - it allows them to make their selections without any pressure at all.

Another common question...

"I got a match with Samantha.  I've e-mailed her, and she hasn't replied - can you check her e-mail for me?  - regards Tom"

Again, I've gone with the typical gender roles - this question comes from men 80-90% of the time.  Samantha is receiving her e-mails, and has chosen not to reply.

We have a great deal of sympathy for Tom in this case - after all, Samantha selected him, and Tom has gone to the trouble to write her an e-mail and ask her out on a date.   From Samantha's point of view, there could be any number of reasons why she hasn't responded - she may have half a dozen matches and feels overwhelmed or is particularly interested in two of them; she may have decided she isn't ready to date again after all; her friend may also have selected and matched with Tom...

If you're in Samantha's position, then we would ask that you still reply - it's courteous, and Tom will appreciate not being left to wonder.  How about:
"Hi Tom.  Thanks so much for your e-mail - I was glad that I picked you, and that we matched, as you seem like a really nice guy.  However, after thinking about it, I've realized it wouldn't be fair to set up a real date, as I didn't feel enough of a connection between us to pursue things further.  I hope you got other matches, and I wish you the best of luck! - Samantha".

Or something like that.  And after that, it would be fair not to respond again if Tom decides he wants to continue e-mail correspondence.  And if you are the "Tom" in this case, and this leaves you without an actual match, let us know so we can honor the half-price no-match discount.

Clearly, this is up to the individual, and each situation is different, but we do hope you would be kind enough to respond to your matches, if you're lucky enough to get them.