Why More Men Should Attend Singles Events
Three men are seated at a We Met IRL speed dating event in New York City
Have you ever attended a singles event with a really uneven male to female ratio? Or maybe you’ve considered getting tickets to a dating event but the women’s tickets are always sold out within seconds? Whether you relate to these scenarios or not, today I’m here to present a case for why men should be more open to these events.
For context, I’m Maxine, the founder of We Met IRL. We’ve been hosting speed dating events, singles parties, mixers, and networking events for over two and a half years. Like any singles events organizer, I am extremely aware and have experienced the struggles of keeping an even ratio at dating events.
Two singles smile for a photo during a We Met IRL speed dating event in NYC.
During the first year I was in business, it was such a struggle to find male attendees. There were thousands of women interested in attending our events, but very few men. I’m happy to say that this isn’t much of an issue for us anymore, though it’s still obvious that the demand for women’s tickets is way higher than men.
At my events, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible connections that can be made at our events, and I truly believe that more men should take advantage of these opportunities. Here’s why:
The women want to meet you! Ok this might sound like a no-brainer, but there are literally hundreds of women on waitlists, and email lists that are all genuinely interested in meeting men. This might seem overwhelming, or perhaps “too good to be true”, but it’s really just facts. I’m not saying that you’ll gain instant success by attending just one event, but I think it’s worth trying out every once in a while.
It’s a safe space to practice talking to women. If you’re a single man in your 20s, approaching women might not be as easy as it was for previous generations. Millennials and Gen Z have been a bit spoiled by the internet and social media, not to mention a global pandemic that isolated us for years. Socializing in real life can be hard, especially when it comes to dating. At a singles event, you’re guaranteed to encounter people open to being approached, which is half the battle of meeting people IRL. It’s also a safe space where you won’t seem like a “creep” for making connections. If dating is like learning to ride a bike, think of a singles event as riding with training wheels on—or maybe like riding a Citi Bike e-bike!
Two singles smile for a photo at a We Met IRL event in Brooklyn
Dating is a numbers game. I’m sure you’ve heard this term ad nauseam, but there’s truth to it. One big appeal of online dating is that you gain access to hundreds of people you probably wouldn’t meet in your day-to-day activities. The possibilities feel endless, which keeps people coming back to the apps. But how many of your matches do you actually meet in real life? At a speed dating event, you can talk to all the women in attendance face-to-face—no swiping, no waiting for replies, no getting ghosted because your date is right in front of you. Additionally, as more women leave the apps or take breaks from online dating, many are turning to events like these to meet men like you.
Bang For your Buck! Let’s be honest, there are expectations for men to pay for the first date, and that money can add up quickly, especially in a big city like New York City. At a speed dating event, estimating that the ticket and a drink will cost about $40, you’re spending less than you would on multiple first dates from dating apps. You’ll meet 15 to 20 women in one night for the price of less than one date!
To all the men out there, give singles events a try. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain. Who knows? You might just meet someone who changes your life.
If you’re interested in joining one of our upcoming events, check out our schedule on our Instagram. And for those thinking about hosting their own singles events, don’t forget to grab a copy of my ebook for all the tips and tricks you’ll need.
Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you at our next event!
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more dating tips and event updates!
Happy connecting,
Maxine
