Ten minutes.
For most people it's not much time for anything, but for 14 of Memphis' most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes Tuesday night, ten minutes was plenty of time.
Speed Dating, a social networking service that is apparently sweeping the nation, has finally made its Memphis debut, and according to at least a few participants, was well received.
A handful of the city's most romantic hopefuls converged to exchange casual conversation in the dimly lit and jazzy scene of Melange, a restaurant located at Cooper and Young.
For $40 dollars, each participant engaged themselves in an evening of fine dining with a romantic flare. Not just with one date, though with seven.
The service, which has been featured and popularized on television programs such as "Frayser" and "Sex and the City," is considered by some to be a new craze in dating and the safest, most effective means to meeting that certain someone.
Service organizer Charles Burch said Tuesday night's debut is just the tip of the iceberg.
"It's the blaze," Burch said. "Fine dining attracts fine people."
Burch said he plans to create a weekly dating scene at the location. However, most of the participants chose not to make a "scene" at all.
"The women are beautiful and the atmosphere is fantastic," said one male participant who chose not to be named. "I am truly enjoying myself."
Burch said the service doesn't exclude people of any particular race, age or religion. In fact, he said he encourages people from all backgrounds to participate in the romantic melting pot.
"I was pleasantly surprised at the caliber of men," another participant said.
Burch said he hopes eventually at least 10 men and women will meet at the club weekly, each with a separate profile describing their interests.
At the end of the night, participants are given a form with each person's name on it. If they choose, they may indicate who, if any, they're interested in. Afterward, all forms are compared, and if there are any matches, phone numbers are exchanged.
"Its really a laid-back dating atmosphere," Burch said.
Burch compared the short-lived romantic interlude to a festive cocktail party.
