Dating Game

The Dating Game on TV

Back in 1965, ABC television began broadcasting “The Dating Game.” A woman would be matched with three bachelors, who sat behind a screen. She would ask them pre-selected questions, listen to their answers, and eliminate them one at a time, finally meeting the last one for an actual date. The show also matched single men with three women, with the same rules.

There have been at least two more recent versions of “The Dating Game,” with the sexual innuendo getting more obvious each time. Other shows, like the late-night “Elimidate,” follow an essentially similar formula, although contestants meet face to face before the elimination begins.

Dating Game Events

If you’d like to take part in a dating game yourself, check your local bars and clubs. Many places are starting to offer dating game events. Contestants are often chosen in advance, so men and women don’t see each other before the game begins. Call the bar or club ahead of time to find out how their games function.

Questions to Bring

On the original TV show, contestants asked each other questions like, “If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” The answers often had sexual overtones (“umm… a cucumber?”) but sex wasn’t discussed openly. Stick to this same style if you’re going to play.

Try to bring questions that invite creativity, and don’t forget that you’re supposed to be flirting. “What do you do for a living?” is a lot less interesting than “If you could have any job, what would it be?” If you ask what someone’s favorite sports team is, have them tell you why it’s their favorite, too. Or get silly and ask them to invent a breakfast cereal, share their favorite excuse for being late to work, or make up a poem for you.

How to Answer

If you’re on the other side, trying not to get eliminated, you’ll want to make sure you sound easy-going and fun. Don’t take any of the questions too seriously: there’s nothing more repellent than a person who gets defensive about something that was meant to be funny. If the audience laughs at one of your answers, laugh along with them. It makes you look confident and shows you have a sense of humor.

Everyone wants to be the witty, clever, funny one, but don’t feel bad if you can’t pull that off every time. Keep your answers brief and light, and you’ll probably do fine. Be honest, but don’t reveal too much about yourself. No one wants to know about your lousy job or the fact that your boyfriend just dumped you.

If you’re eliminated, step offstage with good grace. You never know, someone out there in the audience might be hoping to meet you.

All in Good Fun

Keep in mind that everyone’s there to have a good time. The people arranging the game will probably try to match people up in a way that’s funny or interesting so don’t expect to find your Prince Charming or Ms. Right. Instead, think reality TV shows, where the producers match country boys with city girls, hippies with yuppies, and so on.

You’ll enjoy the game more if you don’t have any expectations at all. That way, if the person you’re finally matched with looks like your exact opposite, you can laugh along with the audience.

Games Online

Some of the online dating sites offer games to make the online dating experience more fun.

• Espinthebottle is a teen and young adult site that works like an old fashioned game of spin-the-bottle. In the real-life game, boys and girls sit in a circle with a bottle in the center. One person spins the bottle and then has to kiss whoever it points to. In the online version, the computer “spins” an imaginary bottle and brings up a member who might be a good match for you. It’s up to you if you want to get in touch.
• OKCupid is a dating site for all ages. It has lots of fun features, including personality tests and quizzes created by members, which keep members entertained while helping them find a match.