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Where people learned about the science of attraction and how to hack their love lives.

Dating in New York City can be a challenge. With everyone's busy schedules, it seems many have reduced their search to a few swipes on Tinder or Bumble. But if you're tired of doing that, you can try the Sensory Speed Date.

Hosted and organized by Guerilla Science, the event takes speed dating to a whole new level because you're blindfolded. Myspace had the chance to check out the org's event at Littlefield in Brooklyn on Wednesday night (August 31). People were paired off and got to know their partners using everything other than their eyes. From smelling the nape of another's neck to telling each other embarrassing stories in their sexiest voices, everyone was taken out of their comfort zones and entered personal spaces that we usually don't go into with someone we just met. 

After each sensory round, on-hand scientists explain why the activity helps you figure out your attraction to someone else. So not only do you get to meet potential love matches, but you also get some education there as well. And who doesn't like to learn about sexual attraction?

We chatted with 10 of the night's daters to find out more about their experiences. And if you want to get in on this action, head to the Guerilla Science website for more info.

 


Isa, 32


Have you ever speed dated before?
No.
Were you nervous about tonight? No.
Favorite part? When we were feeding each other, there was this guy, I don't know why, we touched each other and felt that weird connection. But when I took the blindfold off, I was like, "Oh no, I'm not attracted to this guy at all."
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: Their smile, definitely teeth.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? I feel like it might be their presence, their closeness. If somebody is accepting of your space, you can feel that energy. That's what I feel.
What did you learn from this event? The smell. When we were eating the jelly beans, I thought I had cherry when I tried it. But then it was actually lime. It was completely different. And trying not to offend anybody, especially if their face is bigger on one side compared to the other.

 

 

Richard, 22


Have you ever speed dated before?
No, I have not.
Were you nervous about tonight? Yes, I was.
Best part? Interacting blindfolded. I never did anything like that, and it's weird talking to people just completely in the dark.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: How tall they are.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? The way they walk.
What did you learn from this event? That you can find out new things about people even when you can't see them.

 

 

Rachel, 35


Have you ever speed dated before?
I have.
Were you nervous about tonight? I would say more curious than nervous. I didn't know what I was in for, but I was kind of ready to go along with the flow.
Favorite part? When we were blindfolded and had to feel each others' faces. My partner and I were talking at that point, and we both identified that it was oddly soothing to have somebody feeling your face like in a no strings attached context.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: I don't know if there's one physical feature I'm attracted to, but there's something in the way people dress and carry themselves. It's the energy they're putting into the world; so the visible sign of that is clothing and walk.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? Intellectual curiosity. I like people who find many things interesting and follow up on those interests and want to find out more.
What did you learn from this event? I learned that it's a lot less awkward to do these weird sensory things with a perfect stranger once you kind of get into it.

 

 

Andres, 23


Have you ever speed dated before?
Nope.
Were you nervous about tonight? I was definitely interested. It was a peculiar motif. I was interested more than nervous.
Favorite part? Finding out what aroused me and heightened my senses more than anything else.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: The eyes.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? Probably somebody who can hold a stimulating conversation about anything.
What did you learn from this event? That there's a lot of science in the dating world.

 

 

Tierre, 24


Have you ever speed dated before? Never.
Were you nervous about tonight? I'm not really nervous. But if I would pick something, maybe just not seeing. Maybe just not knowing where I am.
What are you looking forward to? Hopefully getting into a really cool conversation and being blindfolded. That would be really cool.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: How they present themselves, not necessarily how they look. But how they talk. I like sweet girls. So if you come off as sweet and kind, I'll be more attracted to you right away.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? Because if they're shy or nervous, it'll ease the tension. So I'll come up with a conversation starter and try to smooth it out.
What do you hope to learn from this event? Maybe just reading signals better. Since we're blindfolded tonight, maybe it'll help read verbal and atmospheric signals better.

 

 

Annabelle, 34


Have you ever speed dated before?
No actually.
Were you nervous about tonight? I was more excited to discover it.
Favorite part? I love dancing. So getting to dance with a blindfold was really fun. I was really into it. I think it was really cool to get to know people, even briefly. And it's more intimate when you have your blindfold on, and it was really weird. But it's cool.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: It's more style if anything else. How they carry themselves. What they chose to wear or what their hair looks like.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? Confidence, especially if they're funny. I'm very attracted to funny people.
What did you learn from this event? I never knew about how feelings correlate. Like if you're in fear, then you're likely to fall for somebody. And why we're more attracted to people. I was actually looking forward to learning about the science behind it.

 

 

Daniel, 24


Have you ever speed dated before?
No, I've never done it before.
Were you nervous about tonight? Slightly.
Favorite part? Dancing.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: I don't know.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? Intelligence.
What did you learn from this event? A mixture of love and science can make somebody spend $10.

 

 

Kevin, 33


Have you ever speed dated before?
Never. This is the first time.
Were you nervous about tonight? You know what? I really wasn't nervous. I'm not usually nervous when it comes to this kind of stuff.
Favorite part? Being able to speak to different people.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: I'd have to say hair.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? Probably her voice.
What did you learn from this event? I thought the session where we touch each others' faces was very sensual. It wasn't necessarily something that I learned, but it reminded me of the power of touch.

 

 

Jessica, 28


Have you ever speed dated before?
No.
Were you nervous about tonight? I'm not nervous.
What are you looking forward to? Learning more about myself.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: The men to women ratio. [Laughs] That's a big one.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? A good sense of humor. That's important.
What did you hope to learn from this event? How to not feel awkward when you meet new people and finding a good way to connect with somebody.

 

 

Nicholas, 22


Have you ever speed dated before?
No.
Were you nervous about tonight? Not really. I'd say if I really, really had to pick, it's the anticipation of meeting someone new and being blindfolded and whatnot.
What are you looking forward to? Meeting some cool people. I don't go out much. So this is new to me, and I never did anything like this before.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: I pay attention to hair and teeth.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? I usually notice who they are. I spark conversation with them and hear how they sound. From that, I can piece a little bit of who they are as a person. Then after that, I really just get to know them.
What did you hope to learn from this event? Not to judge a book by its cover.

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