Good evening, folks. Welcome to Speed Dating at Darling Harbour. I am your host, Roger. Let me give you the low-down.
You get ten minutes together, marked by the bell. Then five minutes to reflect and make notes on your meeting. Also marked by the bell. There are six rounds tonight. We are blessed with dates.
Some hints. Be nice, be flexible, and give your date a chance. If you can’t continue with the date for any reason, you can wait for the next round by the water cooler and coffee machine. Best to talk about things you and your date might enjoy like food, travel, music or comedy. Best to turn off your mobile phone and give your date your full attention.
You can give your date your mobile number, if you want to. Up to you.
Let us begin. Lights sparkle, bell rings.
Hello, I’m Dalton, a lawyer from Sydney. Can we talk about travel? I’m off to Thailand soon. Have you been there?
No, I’m Cherry. Travel is boring, sorry. How rich are you? I want to meet rich men.
I’ll be over at the water cooler.
Hello, I’m Megan, a photographer. I want to do this with my girlfriend Amy. Is that ok?
No, sorry. Two women would be overwhelming. Better luck next round.
Hello, I’m Dalton. I like cooking. What would you cook for a dinner date with your dream guy?
Phillipa here. I’d order food in, maybe Chinese. Who is your favourite rock band?
Oh, that is INXS. Laughs, that’s a bit old. At least you didn’t say the Beatles. Laughs.
Hello, I’m Tui from Nauru. I am a dentist, working my first job in Sydney. My family is far away. Is there a problem? I think you don’t like big women, do you?
Hello. I’m Dalton. I watched Would I Lie to You? It is a witty, quick-fire British comedy. Two episodes every night. Have you seen it?
Jennifer here. No, never heard of it. I watch News and Reality shows. Have you seen Google Box, or the Jay Leno Show?
No, sorry.
Hello, I’m Lisa, a recruiter. I always ask what happiness means to you, but few can answer well. The job is all about relationships and happiness, isn’t it?
Sorry, no. It is more about achieving your work goals, and learning and improving in the process, at least for me. We have frequent and good communications with our clients and staff, but not relationships like in the family or marriage. Guess I failed your interview.
I believe men don’t put much stock in happiness. Isn’t that for little children who get presents or dogs who romp in the park, or for finding a fifty dollar note on the street? Men and women do earn job satisfaction, but we can’t shout it out. No Tall Poppies or high achievers allowed.
No, I believe life is what you want, and what you choose.
What about the bad things that happen, big and small? Of no concern.
My. Time to call it a day now. Good evening.
Dalton, you’re leaving early. How did it go? I struck out.
Bio
A man’s a man, wrote Berthold Brecht. That says it for Peter Wright, now writer.