By Michelle Barrett, Freelance Writer
Proprietor of Up on the Roof Restaurant, Johanna Thwaites (centre), with Stacie-Ann Shaw (left) and Andrea Dempster, the organisers of powerdating in Jamaica - Contributed
SINGLE? GOT five minutes? Then powerdating may help you find the man or woman of your dreams. There is power walking, power aerobics and now ...there is powerdating.
If you are single and have been looking for that significant other, then you know how tiresome the hunt can be. Getting all dolled up and looking your best for a Friday night out on the town, and hoping to find that special someone, doesn't always turn out the way you expect.
A new dating technique for busy professionals with little time to spare and even less patience to search for suitable dates, powerdating eliminates the hassle of the usual dating scenes, say the organisers. The concept was introduced to the local dating scene by Andrea Dempster, a structural engineer and Stacie-Ann Shaw, an architect.
According to the friends-turned-business partners, they came up with the idea while on a hike in the hills with a group of friends ranging in age from 25 to 55, who were bemoaning the fact that there were few outlets for singles to effectively meet in Jamaica.
ONE NIGHT, MANY DATES
Shaw notes that this popular North American dating trend makes it possible to meet more people in one night than going to a nightclub and downing glasses of liquor and eyeing that person from across the room.
"With powerdating, one can meet up to 20 members of the opposite sex who are also single for five minutes each just enough time to look, speak and to decide whether you want to see this person again. There's no rejection, no commitment and no harassment," Shaw says.
The first session kicked off with cocktails last month at Up on the Roof Restaurant on Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, where guests were treated to complimentary wines, provided by Robert Giraud Wines, or fruit punch.
"A lot of persons have commended us for introducing this trend in Jamaica. What helps, too, is that these powerdating events are exclusive as they are by invitation only so the participants are select individuals," says Dempster.
DATE DETAILS
During the course of the evening cocktails, dinner, supermarket session participants meet and talk to members of the opposite sex for about five minutes. They also fill out a 'get-connected card' during the question-and-answer process, indicating YES or NO for the people they had met. The cards are reviewed by the organisers who pass on the contact information to the respective parties in cases where there are two mutual YES votes. It's then left up to the couple to take it from there.
"So far, the response to the powerdating has been good as we organise various events such as power cocktails, power diner, and power supermarket. The ambience is also relaxing and eases any tension among the participants," says Shaw.
Flair spoke to a few people who have participated in these powerdating sessions.
Lisa, 42, Microbiologist:
I heard about the powerdating cocktail session through Andrea (one of the organisers). I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was able to meet a lot of men and had fun doing it. I find looking for a date this way eliminates all the hassles of regular dating. When you think that you have only five minutes to talk to this person you get right down to it and talk straight to that person. How often do you meet 10 men in one night and you have the option of saying goodbye to those in whom you have no interest. I made a match during that session, and although he is much younger than me we still keep in contact via the phone.
Michael, 47, Electrical engineer:
I heard about it from Staci-Ann (one of the organisers). I think it's a good idea as it's not so easy for someone to look for a date. It's easier to relate to a woman in a situation like this without any pressure. It also gives one the opportunity to meet persons that one would not normally meet. (However) the time is too limited and I would suggest that the time spent with each person be extended to 10 minutes instead of the usual five. I would definitely recommend that my friends go to the next session.
Terry, 27, Accountant:
Some friends asked me to check it out, which I did. I thought it was a good idea although I imagine some people may be sceptical about this sort of thing in Jamaica. It's very interesting though as I met a lot of persons. I didn't make a match, but I would go back there. As for the fee, I thought it was high, but having gone I realised that they were targeting a specific set of people.
Gregory, 23, Attorney-at-law:
The information on the powerdating session was e-mailed to me by a friend. I think it's an interesting concept as I work up to 12 or 13 hours per day and sometimes on weekends, so I don't have much time to go out and look for a prospective date. I also realise that you are put in a situation where you can meet persons who have the same interest as you. Although the ladies I met were older, I personally don't have a problem, but some of the ladies had a difficulty with me being much younger.
For information on powerdating, e-mail powerdating@n5.com or fill out the registration form on their web site, www.n5.com/powerdating.
