DeKALB | In today’s fast-paced, instant gratification world, it makes sense that one of society’s longest traditions – dating – would get its own fast-food version.

About 25 people gathered at Carls Fargo Restaurant Sunday at The Stratford Inn, 355 W. State St., Sycamore, for a speed dating session. Many there were first-time speed daters and optimistic at the prospect of finding a potential mate.

“I think it’s an easier way to meet people,” said Karen Lubbers, 23, DeKalb resident and first-timer. “You can meet someone. You could just meet a best friend. You have nothing to lose.”

One concern about speed dating is whether a dater can get to know someone well enough in three minutes to know if they would like to see the person again.

Another first-time speed dater, John Gordon, 47, from Maple Park, was there as a guinea pig for his friends who were curious about the speed dating process.

Alternative forms of dating work, he said. His neighbors met through a dating service, dated for a while and got married. He insists people will know if they want to see someone again or if they didn’t click in the three minutes.

“The appeal is that you are going to have other singles in an environment that want to talk to you,” said Sharon Foster, event coordinator of the speed dating party.

Foster, who has participated in speed dating events herself, said that often singles are looking for new ways to meet each other. Singles sometimes aren’t comfortable with the bar scene, and walking up to someone and introducing oneself can be intimidating, she said. People in their 40s have responded best to speed dating, she said.

Licensed clinical psychologist Troy Melendez thinks the greatest response to speed dating comes from those in their 40s because a lot of those people have already been through the dating scene and may be frustrated. Also, he said, people have busy lives and want a quick fix for everything. Melendez said many things today are instantaneous, so why shouldn’t dating be?

Melendez also pointed out that people can be misleading about their personality. With only three minutes, speed daters have to put their genuine face forward. With online dating, people have the chance to hide behind computer screens and type anything into a profile.

“These types of exercises or these ways of presenting information open people up a little more and helps us start to share more information about who we are,” Melendez said.