8at8 Tales from the Table

Tips for Finding Love in the New Year!

2011-01-06T10:44:00.000-08:00

In both good and bad economies, single executives want it all. Whether the end goal is marriage or a significant relationship partner, love and romance ranks high on the executive's list of must-haves. After 11 years of professional matchmaking, and consulting for some of metro Atlanta's top leaders, I've learned a lot about the keys to achieving successful work-life-love balance. Here is a sneak peak into three key insights I revisit often with busy executives.

1. Yes, looks do matter...and not just to you. For busy executives, the greatest fear is rejection and the greatest appeal is physical chemistry. Executives want to start with physical attraction and then progress to social and intellectual compatibility. And that's not only limited to men. Women also care about physical chemistry. That's why I tell my One on One Matchmaking members to not let their bank accounts do all the heavy lifting. Our approach is very consultative - serving as a personal adviser to our members on attributes that influence their love lives. Yes, success is attractive, but it's important that you have invested in your own physical appearance. No only to get a successful love life, but to also live long enough to enjoy it.

2. Ambition pays...even outside of the 9 to 5. This is a concept that executives apply to just about every facet of their lives except their love life. They work hard to receive the best credentials or accounts; manage their financial portfolio with intention; and compete hard in extracurricular activities. However, many don't apply that same level of ambition and intention to love. Ambition does not have to mean investing a lot of time. It only means setting a plan, getting help if you need it, including, perhaps, a professional matchmaking service (shameless plug).

3. Schedule a personal life. In today's 24-7 work life cycle, all successful leaders work on a schedule. I always counsel my One on One Matchmaking members to get into the habit of scheduling time on your calendar for a personal life - at least two or three times per week - for social time with family, friends and peers. Get into the habit now. If you wait until you've met that someone special, it could already be too late and you risk foiling your chances at a major deal.

The bottom line, as my Dad always says, "life is a contact sport" and it's the contacts, the meaningful relationships, that make life worth living. In today's ultra-connected society, there really is no excuse for busy executives not to make their love life a priority. Hire professionals, like those of us at One on One Matchmaking, who can help you make time for a fulfilling love life.

Best Regards,
Sarah Kathryn Smith
Matchmaker
(404) 888-1118
sks@1on1matchmaking.com
www.1on1matchmaking.com

Boos and Brews at Sweetwater Brewery! "8at8" Discount!

2010-10-15T12:56:00.000-07:00

$5 off on Boos and Brews at Sweetwater Brewery! Enter promo code "8at8"!

Get your party on this Halloween!

That's one happy couple.

2010-10-13T12:38:00.000-07:00

Today's Happy Couple is brought to you by the number 8.

Kyle and Joanna are engaged!

Happy Hour at City Crab!

2010-09-28T10:10:00.000-07:00

Click on the link for details: See you at the City Crab Happy Hour!

EIGHT AT EIGHT ON GROUPON!

2010-09-15T07:48:00.000-07:00

I love Groupon! Who doesn't love a great deal on food, clothing, and everything else in your life? Now you can get a great deal on your love life too. We are featured as Groupon's Side Deal of the Day! This is big news for us (and you too) because one dinner is being offered at the price of (GASP!) $**. Check out the Side Deal of the Day link to get in on the madness!

Evan Katz Talks About Why Eat, Pray, Love Can Be Harmful To Your (Emotional) Health

2010-09-01T12:06:00.000-07:00

By: Evan Marc Katz, Dating Coach for Smart, Strong, Successful Women

Elizabeth Gilbert, author of “Eat, Pray, Love”, felt trapped. She left her husband, sold a book, and took her book advance to find herself (and transcendent love) in Italy, India and Indonesia.
You know the rest.

Oprah, 3 years on New York Times Best Seller list, and now, a movie starring Julia Roberts. So it should be no surprise that “Eat, Pray, Love” has been on my mind recently. Not in the least because of the big billboard right outside my house, which says: “You Don’t Need a Man. You Need a Champion.”

You like the way that sounds, don’t you?
Well, if this line speaks to you…
If this is the way you truly feel about relationships…
If you really resonate with this and are holding out for no less than your own hero…
You’re most likely making a HUGE mistake.
Click below to learn about how men REALLY are, as opposed to how you WANT them to be.
http://www.evanmarckatz.com/products/why-he-disappeared.html

As always, I don’t tell you what you want to hear.
I attempt to tell the male truth so you can make healthier decisions in love.
That’s why I feel so strongly about this email. Keep reading if you want to understand what’s REALLY on our minds…

Dear sarah,
“You don't need a man. You need a champion. You need a hero.”
Hey, those were your words. That’s what you’re holding out for in a man. Fair enough.

So, for a moment, I’d like you to imagine a movie designed specifically for men. Not an action movie, not a horror movie. A movie about one man’s perfect love. After years of being trapped in a sexless, emotionless marriage to a woman who didn’t want to have a baby, Alex leaves his wife to go find himself. Distraught, he decides to have an adventure.
He drives to Vegas. He flies to Ibiza. He journeys to Thailand. Until finally, he discovers the woman who gives him everything he needs.
He writes a book: “Drink, Play, F@#%”.

Howard Stern and Maxim magazine promote the hell out of it, and Alex sells the movie rights. Soon, it’s in a theater near you. You won’t see it, of course, but you can’t miss the ubiquitous billboards: “You don’t need a woman. You need a pornstar who cooks.” I said this to a private client the other day and she couldn’t suppress her cackle. Because she knew it was true.
You hold out for your hero, sarah. We’ll hold out for our Supermodel/Top Chef/Rhodes Scholar.
And all of us will end up alone because there’s nobody that fits the bill. The end!

Not a very happy ending, is it?
To learn what’s important to find in a man, check out “Why He Disappeared: The Smart, Strong, Successful Woman’s Guide to Understanding Men”, which shines the light in your blind spots and shows you a much more effective way to connect with guys. Click here to learn more:
http://www.evanmarckatz.com/products/why-he-disappeared.html
Yes, I’m teasing about the billboard, but although my example may be a bit hyperbolic, it’s not that far from the truth.

Men really DO want the Supermodel/Top Chef/Rhodes Scholar. Women really DO want a hero and a champion. And yet, in order to find happiness, we both must relax our fantasies a little bit.
Not because they don’t feel great. They do. The reason to relax your fantasies is because they’re unrealistic, and they almost invariably lead to disappointment.

Take Bill, for example. Bill’s not a bad guy. He just wants his unrealistic male fantasy. If Bill really expects you to have the same body at 50 as you did at 20, he’s going to be really disappointed.
If Bill really expects you to allow him an “open relationship”, he’s going to be really disappointed.
If Bill really expects you to feed him, while he doesn’t even have to listen to you talk about your day, he’s going to be really disappointed. For Bill to be happy, we can all agree, he has to adjust to reality. If you’re coaching Bill, you tell him that he should be thrilled that he has an active, healthy, sexual woman who knows her way around the kitchen at all. You don’t encourage him to hold out for Angelina Jolie meets Rachael Ray. Do you?

Yet you still feel entitled to hold out for your fantasy. The hero. The champion. Listen, as a dating coach, my job is to help you find happiness in your love life. Because of this role, I have a unique access to your inner world. You might even say that I often understand you better than your own boyfriend. Which is why it’s very easy for me to observe that your expectations of men are RARELY met. Sometimes, you’re 100% correct in your assessment.
If he doesn’t call you regularly…
If he doesn’t want to be your boyfriend…
If he doesn’t ever hint at a future…
Dump his ass NOW. But these aren’t the only expectations that aren’t being met by men. I usually hear something like this: “I don’t know, Evan. I just don’t feel INSPIRED by him.” Come again? “I want to feel that thing in the pit of my stomach. To get nervous when he calls. To admire him and think about him all the time when we’re not together. ”You realize that every time you’ve had that feeling, it’s never worked out, right? “Yes, but I can’t help how I feel.” Fair enough.

Just know that, percentage-wise, the number of men who are cute, smart, kind, tall, funny, generous, ambitious, successful, and family-oriented is miniscule. Now you want to add in “inspirational”? You know how many men are left? That’s okay. Neither do I.

The message of this email isn’t about settling. It’s not about being with a man you can barely tolerate.It’s about the expectation of what a man is capable of delivering. There are millions upon millions of decent looking, thoughtful, bright, solid men who want to marry you, cherish you, build a family, and create a life together. If only you would love them and accept them.

Believe me, nobody wants you to achieve your dreams more than I do. But if you’re holding out for a hero, yet no guy ever fits the bill (and also sticks around!), it may be time to act like Bill, who finally gave up on his Angelina Jolie fantasy and is thrilled to have found YOU. This is how a man finds love. By accepting all that you are, imperfections included. You need to do the same with him. And if you don’t know where to find a man, I have a few ideas…
Click here to learn more about Finding the One Online, which shows you how to use the internet successfully to find love, just like thousands of my clients:

Warmest wishes and much love,
Your friend,

P.S. My client, Holly, who is 80 lbs overweight, didn’t believe in the Finding the One Online technique until she actually tried it. Here’s what she had to say after 4 weeks:

On a personal note, I am BUSY!!! I almost feel like it has turned into a game show with me yelling NEXT every couple of weeks. Men continue to seek me out and I am loving it. I have 3 guys "on the line" right now and am having the time of my life. Having worked with you, I fully believe that I am a PRIZE to be won. If a man isn't willing to do the work, show he cares or does things that drive me crazy, I move on. My friends laugh because I have a preset phrase I send in an email. Everyone laughs at work when I say, I had to send the "after much thought and consideration" email. I continue to slave away at the gym and am quite happy with the results. Thanks for everything you have done for me. You totally ROCK!!
Holly

Click here to feel more in control of your love life – to attract more men and higher quality men online.

Connect with Me on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

The Dao of Dabbling in Digital Dating

2010-08-24T12:15:00.000-07:00

DO!

Honesty, honesty, honesty. You turned to online dating so you could avoid flying to every city to sift through eligible singles. Why would you sabotage your odds of finding your ideal match by misrepresenting what needs to be matched?

All in the details. A rockin’ photo alone can get you dates, but as far as a committed relationship, put time and effort into the information you dispense about yourself. It’s a reflection of you – don’t cloud your mirror!

The picture is worth all your words. If your profile is a wheel, your photo is the hub and the information represents its spokes. The homerun photo should show you smiling directly into the camera.

Practice safe dates. When meeting someone in person for the first time, always tell a friend about the meeting and make sure to choose a public place.

DON’T!

It’s not personal. Who knows the real reason why flyfishin75 didn’t return your wink? It’s probably not an intentional blow to your ego. Move on – there are countless fish in the online ocean.

Unicorns don’t exist. While you try to keep things honest, some people may still be telling the same lies that didn’t work for them offline. Examine profiles with a skeptical eye and keep a watch out for the unicorns – profiles that sound too good to be true.

Here’s my card. There’s never a need to hand out protected, privileged information to an online interest…Unless you’re an officer of cyber justice trying to trap online scammers.

The Key is Finding Someone to Love!

2010-08-04T11:35:00.000-07:00

I've got lots of clients that are picky. They are often dismissing the opportunity to meet quality introductions that I'm suggesting on a snap judgment. I was up the other night because I was worried about a particularly picky client and challenged by his lack of adventure when it comes to dating! I remembered a section of one of my all time favorite books - How to Stop Looking for Someone Perfect and Find Someone to Love by Judith Stills, Ph.D.

This book is no longer in publication - if you buy it on Amazon you'll pay a premium. But it has lots of excellent advice for singles. I highly recommend it. Here is an excerpt that has helped me lately - hope it helps you too!

Sarah Kathryn

*****

You walk into a party or a bar and in three minutes (more likely three seconds, but I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt) you've made a judgment: There's no one here who's my type. They're all jerks. You may even pride yourself on knowing your tastes and preferences so well that you seldom err in your first impressions of potential mates.

I would like to focus your attention on two points. First, if you are a person who takes pride in these lighting-quick judgements of others, I'll bet that you find your judgements are predominantly negative. People who allow themselves to make rapid judgments most often make negative ones because they're very safe. If you avoid someone because, in your opinion, he's a fool or she's flaky, how can you ever really be proved wrong? you can simply chalk it up to matters of taste, pride yourself on your selectiveness, and avoid that person so you never have an opportunity to discover if you're wrong.

Positive attitudes and positive judgments are riskier. They open you up to more people, more experiences, and the possibility of disappointment. Of course, they open you up to the possibility of more happiness as well, but many people cling hard to the better-safe-than-sorry stance.

Please forgive this lecture. It's just that it has sometimes been so frustrating to listen to genuinely lonely people who react critically to a potential partner because of the most trivial idiosyncrasies and based on the most premature of opinions. Most men and women report to me that they judge whether or not someone could ever be a potential partner at first glance. These same people would report that physical appearance is only one, and not the most important one, of many criteria for choosing a mate. Then why screen out so many potential candidates at first sight?

This is the most negative attitude of them all: the perspective that someone else must push all the right buttons and your response is entirely out of your control. Of course, anyone who is so helpless before his or her own negative attitudes has only one option - to wait for magic. The catch is, it can be a very long wait and the magic can be a very short ride.

End of lecture.

Clever Table at Emporium Brasil!

2010-08-03T09:01:00.000-07:00

At Eight at Eight Dinner Club, we are huge believers in round tables. They are conducive to conversations and flirtatious winking, everyone can see everyone, and it creates the perfect setting for a dinner party. This is the holy grail of table shapes for us, but sometimes, our clever hostesses create an equally enchanting table all on their own!

2010-07-23T11:52:00.000-07:00

Matchmaker Jen Moeller on

Airs Saturdays after SNL on NBC8at8

Featured on 7/31 - select cities

On July 31, watch Eight at Eight Dinner Club's very own Matchmaker Jen Moeller will compete in The Match Off! Each week two professional matchmakers compete to find the best date for a tough-to-please single. Only one will win and be crowned the ultimate Cupid.

The show airs right after NBC's Saturday Night Live. You can tune into Jen's artistry on July 31st on NBC stations in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Dallas, San Diego, San Francisco, Hartford and Washington, D.C. If you're going to be out of town, schedule your business trips to the cities listed above! Otherwise, you can check out "The Match Off" archives. I can't wait!

Love,
Sarah Kathryn

The Sweaty, Crooked, Tattered Truth For Blokes

2010-07-07T09:25:00.000-07:00

As a matchmaker I walk a fine line between speaking the truth and biting my tongue. Oftentimes, the easiest way to deliver bad news to bachelors is to give them feedback I'm getting about them. Let me tell you GUYS what I hear from ladies as turn-offs. Warning: May induce vomiting or trigger gag reflex.

Turn-off #1 EXCESSIVE SWEATING
Sweating coincides with being overweight. If you're a dead ringer for pre-Subway Jared, you have got to get some help! Being overweight means you're out of shape or lazy. There is nothing - I mean NOTHING - grosser than sitting across from a guy who can't put a dam on his waterfall. Pit stains just don't compare to the tributaries of sweat forming over your face from a brisk walk to the restroom. I see it all the time and it has to stop! Do you really think any woman wants to see you naked?! (Deep breaths.) There's good news: You can control this. The body loses its ability to regulate itself when it doesn't get enough exercise, so get your feet treading on something. Take walks, swim, hike, skate, rumba, etc. There's ten million fun ways to get back into shape, and a dainty dab of deodorant never hurts either.

Turn-off #2 BAD TEETH
It it amazing how simple getting your teeth fixed can be. Your smile might be okay but why not make it perfect? It's somewhat affordable and for 50% of women, it's the first thing they notice about you! I wish so badly that I could recommend Invisalign to all my clients. Maybe your teeth are "sort of straight" but you want your front line soldiers to be the best that they can be! This product will line them up perfectly and you only have to wear a retainer at night. Dental imperfections may work in favor of some people - gap-toothed David Letterman, gnarly-mouthed Steve Buscemi, and fang-toothed Christian Bale - but if you aren't a household name, get rolling with the whitening and straightening. You might think they're "not all that bad", but trust me: They are!

Turn off #3 OLD CLOTHES
Repeat after me: If an article of clothing is over 3 years old, throw it out. If it needs carbon dating, BURN IT. Working with a stylist is not expensive. Macy's and Nordstrom have ladies who do not work on commission who will help you assemble a reinvigorated wardrobe. Trust me, it really makes their day to turn an Ugly Duckling into the Swan Prince. Plan on investing in a first date outfit (including shoes, a watch, and a belt) and wear it religiously. Even if you're dating 7 nights a week, no one will notice the outfit recycling but you! You will be so amazed at the compliments you receive just by cleaning up your fashion act.

I am on the front lines talking to over 100 singles every week. I'm merely a messenger (don't shoot me!), but to optimize your chances of finding the best person out there please take these into consideration. Best of luck!

From 8at8 with love,
Sarah Kathryn Smith

Are You the Chips to My Salsa?

2010-06-22T07:49:00.000-07:00

Eight at Eight Dinner Club vigilantly aims to find you the Jim to your Pam, sun for your sand, and just maybe the chips to your salsa. We get so excited when we find singles who we think would be a perfect match for one another. To keep this happiness train chuggin’ along, we want to help you know yourself better, a vital factor in setting up your hot coco with your very own marshmallows.

Do you have two left hands when it comes to silverware? Get a few tips on fine etiquette for that special dinner at 8 o’clock! The Emily Post Institute offers numerous blogs, articles and advice on improving your professional and social swag here.

There’s room for two in a warm bed, so don’t ruin it by pulling UFC moves on your sleep buddy. There’s only one way to find out if you and your new 8pm flame fit best as Excalibur dozers.

With the advent of the sexiest mobile device ever conceived by Steve Jobs and the Apple brigade, I thought I’d touch on the following. It’s impossible to keep up with technology, so as life is to a garden, I try to “just dig it”. There’s an app for everything these days, from apps that help you avoid dating disasters to apps for wine lovers. Who knows? These may come handy when you least expect it!

What are your ideal pairings? We hope it includes you and Eight at Eight!

Michael Bolton-less Love Songs Mixtape

2010-06-04T07:35:00.000-07:00

I am not ashamed to admit that once in a while, I get hooked on the soft rock station and do the most spectacular renditions of songs like "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "More Than Words". Although I have the time of my life belting out the chorus and mumbling away or brushing my teeth to the rest of the song, most times I prefer something much less...sensational.

When I want love songs, I look to songs that do not repeat "I LOVE YOU" into the high double digits. Some of the best love songs don't even use the word love. If they do, it is done ever so tastefully, and most importantly, a good love song certainly does not contain earth shattering keytar solos.

Here's a quick list of love songs that always give me butterflies without (too much) reverb. Click on the songs to listen to them:

Idea of Growing Old lyrics By: The Features

If There's Love lyrics By: Citizen Cope

And He Gets the Girl lyrics By: Lupe Fiasco

Pressure Suit lyrics By: Aqualung

Funny Valentine lyrics By: Frank Sinatra

I Miss You lyrics By: Incubus

A Little Bit lyrics By: Lykke Li

This Will Be Our Year lyrics By: The Zombies

Day Too Soon lyrics By: Sia

I Will Follow You into the Dark lyrics By: Death Cab for Cutie

Have stories about love songs that are so bad they're good? We want to hear from you! Go to 8at8.com to meet the person of your dreams to whom you would dedicate your modern mixtape! See you at 8 o'clock!

Well Worth The Wait

2010-05-14T07:28:00.000-07:00

Angie is getting married!

Our matchmaker who has worked with Eight at Eight
for over 5 years is getting hitched to a fantastic guy.
If you get a chance, shoot her a congratulatory email!

2010-05-10T15:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Eight at Eight!

I can't believe it has been 11 years!!!!! Thousands of first dates, 200+ marriages, dozens of children, and lots of fun.

Love you little one! xo sks

2010-05-10T15:08:00.000-07:00

One on One Matchmaking!
Check out our updated website!
https://www.1on1matchmaking.com/

Be Selective. Be Discriminating. Find the Right One!

One on One Matchmaking is an ultra-exclusive, boutique matchmaking service for single gentlemen interested in the highest level of personal attention. All potential dating matches are carefully selected, filtered, and tailored to your specifications.

Imagine having a dedicated staff solely focused on your romantic life, acting as your own personal scout and matchmaker! We will interview and screen all potential matches for you, resulting in quality matchmaking that meet your very high standards.

2010-05-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

OUT & ABOUT

Stephanie Keating, Membership Director,

dining at Murphys with 8 at 8 Dinner Club

"We had so much fun having her at our table. I had a good time meeting everyone and have already heard from one really nice guy!"

2010-05-06T08:30:00.001-07:00

"Wanted to send along a little note to let you know of another 8 at 8 success. My husband and I met through an 8 at 8 event a couple years ago, and we just had our first baby on May 5th. We are grateful to 8 at 8 for helping to bring us together."

2010-05-04T07:42:00.000-07:00

Eight at Eight's matchmaker Jen is going to be featured on an NBC reality show -

The Match Off.

The filming will take place Spring 2010 in Chicago. Jen will interview, recruit, and screen all potential matches for one lucky single. Eight at Eight's Chicago Database alone contains over 5,000 quality singles.

Interested in participating? If so please respond to this email and let us know! If you are looking for love and are willing to take on the adventure of reality TV - this is your chance!

Our Clients Must
· Be completely open and honest about dating
· Put their trust in us to deliver singles that match their specifications
· Follow our advice - Trust your dating coaches!

What Makes Us Amazing
· A successful track record that boasts over 200 marriages
· The youngest group of professional matchmakers in the country-no old-school, outdated dating advice here!
· Individual, personalized attention.

8 at 8 Hostess Marries!

2010-05-03T09:02:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to our wonderful DC hostess, Marin Graney, who was married last week! Check her out in the Washington Post. She is one of the 4 pictures in their main online article this morning! It rotates through them on http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/29/AR2010042905276.html?hpid=artslot&sid=ST2010043001129

Another Great Evening - FEEDBACK FROM HAPPY CLIENTS!

2010-03-11T11:54:00.001-08:00

"Another great evening with fun attractive people! My third event and really enjoyable! Actually, I had a date with someone from the first dinner, a date with someone from the second dinner - no great sparks or romance yet but we had a good time, and I may see one or both of them again. And I fully expect to go out w...ith someone from this third dinner party! So 8-at-8 is fully meeting my expectations which is to be introduced to and meet intelligent, attractive women! Thanks!!!"

There are Plenty of Fish in the Sea....

2010-01-07T07:58:00.000-08:00

But it's bone dry on your couch!

You. Yeah, you!

You're not getting any younger and time's-a-wasting.
Eight at Eight continues to arrange fantastic dinner parties.

Start 2010 on the right foot with everyone's favorite matchmakers!

Go out with 4 men/women this week!
No chat, no email, no weird profiles, no fake pictures
Great restaurants, fantastic food and drink
Eligible, professional singles.
Outstanding networking opportunities.

There ARE plenty of fish in the sea,
but you won't catch any of them
with that remote control in your hand.

GET MOVING AND GET SIGNED UP!

Our Holiday Intern - Emily!

2009-12-30T11:02:00.000-08:00

Sarah Kathryn offered me an internship for Eight at Eight while I was home for the holidays, I didn’t have to think twice before accepting her offer. I’d seen her advertisements and read several newspaper and magazine articles about the incredible success of her business.

The bright, modern office that I strolled into Monday morning emulates the new age twist on dating that Eight at Eight promises. SK greeted me with an organized schedule of my week; initially overwhelming, but definitely manageable once I’m acquainted with the phone system and member database. Creating Facebook ads targeting single clients, answering the phone (which rang off the hook all day!), and my favorite, calling all the previous male members to touch base were just a few of the tasks she delegated to me on the first day.

Tuesday brought a whole new level of responsibility: lunch at Bones with a potential client! It didn’t take much to realize that I was not a lowly intern; I had already become an integral member of the Eight at Eight team for this week’s sales. I’d like to think it was me, the cute intern, that turned the potential client into an actual client, but I know I can’t take all the credit for winning him over. One signed contract later, it’s obvious that SK knows what she’s doing!

Once we got back to the office, I was in charge of perusing the Atlanta database for current and previous female members, to try and scout someone out for our newest customer. Taking into account our client’s specific requests (a nice-looking woman aged 30-38, no children, non-smoker, big drinker but politically conservative, preferably from the Midwest), I came up with a handful of women to pass along to SK for further review.

On Wednesday, I reviewed my Facebook ads to see which ones were performing the best. I scrapped the ones that hadn’t been clicked yet and created additional ads with similar text but more alluring images. My last assignment was to help SK sell some old office electronics on Craigslist. I researched the products, typed up informative reviews, and determined a price for each item.

After three short (but sweet!) days, I’m headed back to the University of Michigan to finish up my sophomore year. I can’t wait to try out some of the dating tips I learned over the week! Watch out, bars, here I come!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2009-12-22T07:08:00.001-08:00

Spread the Love - Creative Marketing Ideas from Eight at Eight

2009-12-21T09:26:00.001-08:00

Running a small company takes chutzpah and creative shoe-string marketing ideas right? We've come up with some strange ones over the years.

The two guaranteed elements of a successful marketing stunt: Alcohol and Beautiful Women.

So on a freezing fall afternoon Sarah Kathryn, Kaitlyn, and Catherine hit the Decatur Beer Festival to mix and mingle. The t-shirts generated a lot of interest and we were able to successfully recruit new members.

Got any creative ideas you want to share? Please send them our way!

Pics from the Christmas Lunch!

2009-12-14T12:54:00.001-08:00

Fantastic lunch at Portofino in Buckhead. Lots of time to catch up and gab about the singles we've been helping in 2009. Fantastic group of Matchmakers! xoxo

Flesh and Blood Relationships are Hotter than Internet Personas

2009-11-16T12:20:00.000-08:00

I recently read this article in "The New York Times" called The Medium - Love, Virtually by Virginia Heffernan. The author speaks about how internet- initiated romances pale next to flesh-and-blood ones. She says "I am starting to think that Internet romances, including Mark Sanford's are not romances between people at all. They're affairs with the Internet."

With so many communication devices our desires are for connection to technology rather than with people. How many of you have been "dumped" by a text message, and/or e-mail? The digital age has changed dating. Do you remember when there was just the phone? You were so excited if the one you were waiting for was on the line. Heffernan writes "phone romances were defined by ringing and sonorousness and breathing and silences and click, the dread hang-up, whereas e-relationships turn on fonts and typing tics, shots at poetry, visibility and invisibility in various social media".

Now we have relationships with our computers-waiting for the next text, the next e-mail. Do you ever actually talk face to face anymore? I think that is why I don't like internet dating. You are not getting to know the person but their profile. The profile is more like a job application and gives very little insight about the person. Plus how many people really tell the truth? Guys using pictures of what they looked like 10 years, lying about their age and who knows what else! Call me old fashion but I enjoy going to a coffee house and meeting face to face and discussing my dreams and aspirations with a potential mate. I love my IPHONE but when it comes to dating I take a human over a computer any day of the week! Maybe that is why people like Eight at Eight better then the internet dating. You actually get to meet real people!

Matchmaker Michelle Scouts Beautiful Women for a Living!

2009-11-02T12:15:00.000-08:00

Many of you know our fantastic, wonderful, brilliant, vivacious, and savvy matchmaker, Michelle. Michelle is a seasoned life and dating coach with more than 15 years experience working in human resources and life coaching industries. Her previous experience includes Beatrice Gruss in Atlanta, 8 at 8 Dinner Clubs, MTV Networks and Making It in the City LIVE! Conferences. She has interviewed thousands of clients for both professional and matchmaking placement and is a skilled professional in the areas of interpersonal relations, networking, career and personal growth.

When she spots beautiful women, she approaches them to see about becoming a courtesy client for One on One Matchmaking. Here is a cute pic of Michelle out on the town!

Matchmakers Conference 2009 - From New York

2009-10-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

Rachel Greenwald author of "Find a Husband after 35 Using what I learned at Harvard Business School" and "Why He Didn't Call You Back"

Michelle Jacoby of DC Matchmaking and Lisa Clampitt of VIP Life in NYC

Susan Katz from Dinner Works in Toronto and Louie Felix from Elite Personal Search

Evan Mark Katz a Dating Coach and Piper from Synergy Matchmaking getting friendly!

Each fall 100 matchmakers from all over the globe meet in New York to discuss best practices and industry trends. I have developed a valuable network of industry professionals I now turn to when I need to brainstorm or listen to a new idea. I always come home energized with a zillion new ideas that I want to implement to improve the business.

It never ceases to amaze me how much things can change in 12 months....and we better adapt or we'll be forgotten! Eight at Eight operates as a small-business and we must stay abreast of the trends to stay relevant. I am a loyal subscriber to Entreprenur Magazine, Fortune Small Business, and have joined local Entrepreneur groups to network.

Frankly - I do give a Damn!

2009-10-26T12:08:00.000-07:00

Ok so I've fallen into the trap. I was ambitious about starting this blog and keeping our community in touch with what is going on with Eight at Eight. Each week is different and there are always fun developments and observatons to share.

Like all busy business women.....I've fallen off the wagon. But as God as my witness I vow to never quit blogging again. I'm regrouping at the beach this week. World headquarters for Eight at Eight will be working from 9-6 from the hotel balcony, listening to the ocean and catching some rays. Phones are forwarded and wireless works! Cocktails start promptly at 6:01 so if you're in the area please give us a shout. (St. Simons, GA)

10 Year Anniversary Party Pics are UP!

2009-09-10T05:22:00.000-07:00

10 Year Anniversary Milestone

2009-08-11T04:50:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite dates on the calendar is 08/08. Eight at Eight has a lot to celebrate so we hosted cocktail parties nationwide where hundreds of singles gathered to toast our success.

TEN unbelievable years in business and still going strong. I have always enjoyed bringing couples together and finding a way to do that for a living has been tremendously rewarding. I want to thank all of you for your enthusiastic participation at our events and your encouragement along the way.

Cheers!
Sarah Kathryn

Loving the Love from DC!

2009-07-22T15:51:00.001-07:00

Eight at Eight is almost 10 years old. For many years I often heard, "You're in some great cities but what about DC?" In 2008 I finally decided to conquer the vibrant social scene in the District of Columbia by expanding our services.

The DC Chapter is our youngest, but it is well on its way to being our strongest. Eight at Eight strategically expanded to cities that are the hub of their region. The "best and brightest" are attracted to these hubs and then become our valued clients. Typical singles are working long hours, new to the city, and have trouble meeting like minded friends. voila - Eight at Eight to the rescue!

There are two fabulous blogs in DC that have recently "outed" Eight at Eight. Check out the fantastic coverage and thanks for spreading the word!

DC Concierge

We Love DC

2009-07-18T09:00:00.001-07:00

Dear Valued Gentlemen Clients,
I want to send you a personal note to update you on the exciting developments with One on One Matchmaking. The new business that launched last spring has blossomed into a full-blown Matchmaking Enterprise!

I search on behalf of male clients who receive my undivided attention. I use my personal contacts as well as my 8at8 client base to find them the right ONE. Additionally we have monthly Wing-Woman outings where we scout for women together! It is a blast and I'm grateful that these gentlemen trust me to match you with appropriate ladies.

The good news is that they are seeing results! Just last night one of my bachelors went on a second date to a concert and another bachelor got some kissin' as he and his first date waited at the valet.

The excitement continues. If you or someone you know is looking to hire the BEST matchmaker, please contact me. Lets talk - I need to hear what you're looking for!

Sincerely,
Sarah Kathryn Smith

For more information, visit One-on-One Matchmaking

Happy Client Update

2009-07-06T11:44:00.000-07:00

"For better or worse, I'm not single. Through 8at8 I've met a woman who has captured my imagination. I'd like to honor her as well as my own feelings by dating her exclusively. Thank you for your invitation and for doing a good job with 8at8."

How to Enjoy the 4th of July

2009-07-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

Fireworks? Bah humbug! I love the 4th of July--cookouts, cocktails, patriotism, etc. However, I am convinced that fireworks are overrated! Think back to the last time you went to a fireworks show and be completely honest: was it worth the hassle?

You're sitting by the pool or lounging on the patio, having a great time. Then you prematurely end your fun in order to "get a good spot" for the fireworks. Get a good spot?!? You can see fireworks from MILES away! Yet, almost without fail, we cue up like kids in the soup line in a Dickens novel. And then we wait. Crying kids. Port-o-potties. Hairy men in tank tops. Old men with the socks pulled up to their knees. Horrid shirts with eagles and American flag prints. Drunk frat guys. Homeless people who, inexplicably, have sparklers. Nowhere to park. Your flip-flopped feet have been stepped on six times.

All of that annoyance, and then here comes the show! You've got to admit that 85% of a fireworks display is lackluster. We wait and wait to waste 20 minutes watching the puny munitions before the smashing finale. I want 20 minutes of finale. I want a finale the length of Grateful Dead song. I want the equivalent of War & Peace in screaming rockets.

The fireworks aftermath is the worst part! The heat and the stickiness of sweaty bodies is amplified by the sulfery smell of gun powder and the haze of gray smoke. (It does, however, mask the smell of that bum with the sparkler.) All of those people who trickled in to get that phantom spot that is somehow better than the others all depart at exactly the same moment, as no one wishes to linger in the fumes. Gridlock traffic, sardine-like conditions on the trains. Drunk frat boy just vomitted. Kids, now hungry and ears-a-ringing from the spectacle, ratchet up their screams. Nightmare.

And have you ever noticed how everyone claims to have the "largest" fireworks display? Could we get the Pew Center to quantify this and put these falsities to rest? Here in Atlanta, the Lenox Mall show calls itself the "largest in the Southeast." Meanwhile, downtown, Centinniel Park dubs its diplay "Atlanta's biggest." How in the Hell is that possible?

Despite my cynicism, I've found the solution. The best, most enjoyable fireworks session I've ever experienced was on the roof on an apartment building. Me, a plastic beach chair, and a cold beer. No crowds, no port-o-lets, no stench, no parking. The point is, you don't have to go to the heart of the maelstrom; again, fireworks can be seen from miles away! Plus, from your high perch on a clear night, you can watch multiple shows simultaneosly. Maybe then we finally figure out which show is the biggest. Happy 4th, everyone!

Dating Don't #137: Craig's List

2009-06-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

If we've said it once, we've said it a hundred times: when it comes to dating services, there is no such thing as a free lunch. You can brave the bar scene and be set up with friends of friends for free, but membership fees are, believe it or not, a good thing. Need proof? Browse through the personals on Craig's List.

You might think: "Hmm, it's free. There are tons of nice people out there. What's the harm in looking?" Let's dispel this myth in short order, shall we? He are some of the highlight's from today's Atlanta listings:

"I've always entertained this fantasy of meeting a stranger and making love all day [...] Please be sane, attractive, D&D free, with a good imagination, and you should like cheap Chinese food and red wine :)"

"Are you the kind of lady that has the personality needed to enjoy earning $150.00 and up giving a middle aged man a spanking?"

"In town for a few days would like to meet a girl lactating thats interested in letting me breastfeed from her. We can talk about compensating you for your time."

Okay, so men have cornered the market on creepy, right? The oddball women are all over CL, too.

"Can you be my Daddy?"
"I do have a lazy eye if you have a problem with that then move on."

"I have a special fascination with religious play and ageplay.

The old saying holds true--different strokes for different folks. That being said, you have to wade through hundreds of these to find the legitimate people on Craig's List. Then, when you've found someone promising, you're likely to be directed to a porn site or some scam. This is why Eight at Eight has been in business for ten years. You deal with real, carbon-based, oxygen-breathing people. You can sense the sparks if there are any. You can't hide behind photoshopped pictures and you can't spout your fantasies out as if you were writing out your grocery list. Eight at Eight is for smart, successful people who can afford the option to allow someone to weed out the, er, more unusual singles out there. Perhaps, though, there is a market out there for a B&D/S&M dating service? Dominate at Eight, anyone?

Inside the Odd Minds of Men

2009-06-12T09:25:00.000-07:00

While flipping channels the other night, I came across a movie that I've seen a couple of times and found it to be farily amusing. The movie is High Fidelity, the John Cusack comedy from 2000 about an unlucky-in-love pushing-40 record store clerk in Chicago. I gave it a longer look this time because Justin, our communications guy, assures me it is one of the more accurate depictions of the male psyche ever captured on film (at least as it pertains to dating and relationships).

I must say, I think he's on to something. (For those of you who haven't seen it, stop reading now). Here are some of the nuggets of reality that one can find in the movie.

1) When Cusack's girlfriend leaves him to move in with another man, one of his first questions is if the sex is better with the new guy or him. Cusack's heart is broken, but his ego may have suffered the most damage.

2) When his lovelorn angst begins to overwhelm him, our hero seeks out a new conquest, a hipster bar singer (Lisa Bonet, as in Cosby Show Lisa Bonet!). Cusack has a great time with her, even spends the night, but the moment he bolts for the door, he immediately turns his attention back to the girlfriend who burned him. Guys, it seems, aren't always thinking about sex. Sex is a distraction!

3) Cusack is lying in bed, having sweat-filled nightmares about his ex and her new lover. In his brain, she is like a porn star with an insatiable sexual appetite. She was driven into the arms of another man because he couldn't meet her requirements as a partner. Now, it is pretty clear throughout the rest of the movie that his ex is a pretty normal woman who, up until the start of the film, had accepted Cusack for who he was. It seems unlikely that after years together she would cut and leave on sex alone. But, in the male mind, its perfectly reasonable!

So High Fidelity is a pretty accurate summation of that part of the male internal monologue we so rarely get to hear. It is a funny film, even touching in some instances, but what really stands out in my mind is how the male protagonist is a wounded, scared little boy when it comes to love. He's frightened and unsure of himself and absolutely dependent on his girlfriend for reassurance and comfort. Maybe some of us ladies should take a few notes and realize the male psyche is more fragile than we might think.

Fly on the wall for a Blind Date

2009-06-12T08:05:00.000-07:00

Blind dates are awkward enough, but can you imagine having a photographer follow you and your running commentary printed for thousands to see? The Washington Post publishes their always funny Date Lab, where they set up singles for dates and then allow them to come clean about their evening out to the reading public. Think: the Blind Date tv show without the fake breasts and hot tubs).

The results, in this case, were not so great. Sample quote: "you guys sucks at matchmaking." Guess the Post should just leave it to the pros, huh?

Where are all of the single people?

2009-06-12T07:24:00.000-07:00

We get this question a lot. "Where are all of the attractive single men?" or "Why can't I find any good singles in [insert city here]?" We frequently see studies (such as this on from Forbes) that tell you which cities are the best to be single that are based on a multitude of factors ranging from median income, education level, health statistics, etc.

But where can one find the greatest concentration of singles, regardless of the criteria. I'm talking that mainstay of Male Dating Logic: the RATIO! The Interactive Singles Map provides us with some answers. At the top of the map is a sliding scale that you can manipulate to determine which cities have the most favorible guy:girl ratio. As you will soon see, the numbers are astonishing.

For instance, the #1 city to be single in America, according to Forbes, is Atlanta. I ran the numbers for ages 25-44 for this city and found that there are, on average, 7 more single men per 1000 people than women. That's not statistically significant. However, the numbers begin to skew more as move through the Forbes' Top 10. Here are some surprising ones:

Dallas: 34 more men than women per 1000 people.

Los Angeles: 41 more men

Seattle: 41 more men

Orlando: 38 more men

Madison, Wisconsin: 51 more men!

So, the numbers show that the ladies have, by and large, better odds than men. Which cities form the flipside of the coin, displaying a significantly higher female:male ratio? Only a few: Fayeteville, NC; Kileen, TX; and Brownsville, TX.

The news, clearly, is not good for men. It gets worse, though. Take the right side of the slider at the top of the map and push it to the right. Note how all of the those blue bubbles begin to shrink and then large portions of the country show pink bubbles in places that once had none. It's like time-lapse photography of a plant budding! This map, then, is a double-whammy for men. Not only are you odds worse than your female counterparts, but you are also reminded of you eminent mortality. Hey, guys: you're not just single, you're close to death!

Can a recession actuall improve the quality of our lives?

2009-06-09T08:10:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago, Time ran a lenthy article entitled "The End of Excess," which suggests that the recession isn't such a bad thing after all. It serves to check the greed and materialism of our society and bring our conception of wealth and happiness into the more moderate portion of the spectrum. Could this be true?

I don't mean to say that we should whistle in the unemployment line and toss away our tanking 401k statements without a care. As a business owner and friend to many who have been affected, I am well aware of the negative impact of the the sliding economy of our homes, our relationships, our wealth. However, the Time piece spurred a line of thought that might be worth pursuing.

One of the alternatives to travel that has emerged in the wake of the economy is the notion of the "staycation," or, put another way, staying close to home for leisure trips. Aside from the savings, there is an added benefit to that. I would wager a guess that few of us out there have thoroughly explored our cities--their museums, their parks, the hole-in-the-wall eateries, the numerous oddball things to do that most of us never try. It has been said that people who take these "staycations" leave with a greater appreciation for the local and near-by. We, as a culture, are addicted to the glitzy and new. Maybe its time we have some new experiences by peeking around a corner we've never bothered exploring.

Similarly, I've attended a lot more small gatherings and dinners with friends lately. Instead of a concert or a movie, we're preparing meals together and dusting off the Monopoly board. These activities don't seem like much, but, in a very real way, they bring our friends closer together. Often, we get stuck in the rut of routine and passivity. The recession has helped me interact with those closest to me more than in the past.

As the owner of a dating service, I'm not suggesting you all cancel your memberships and make s'mores over fire buckets in alleyways. In fact, I think the recession may prove the benefit of our service in that it brings people together. When the chips are down, we need one another in a very real way. We are, at last, social creatures. Perhaps the slide in the market serves to reiterate what is really important. Perhaps, in the oddest of ways, there is an upside to a downturn.

Memorial Day Plans?

2009-05-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

Here we sit, one week away from Memorial Day. If you haven't made travel plans, you are likely facing that conundrum of what to do for the holiday. Do you party it up on Saturday night and relax away the remaining long weekend? Or, do you host a pool party on Sunday afternoon? Brunch on Monday? Take your dog for a run and then play it by ear?

We're here to provide some alternate suggestions--a few traditional, a few oddballs.

1) Drive-in Movie:

The drive-in movie theatre is a dying breed; however, quite a few remain around the country. If you've never been, you should check one out! Most allow you to bring in your own food, so grab a few friends, a bottle of wine, and catch a double-feature.

2) Adult Pic-nic

It troubles me when people go to a fast food joint, grab a burger, and then sit down in a park and call it a pic-nic. A pic-nic requires a little more thought than that. We fully endorse amping it up a notch or two beyond bologna and PB&J's. For instance, go by your local market or deli and get a 1/4 lb. of prosciutto, a few slices of outstanding salami, and a honeydew melon. Other winning bets include cucumber slices, hummus, and crusty bread. Ice down your favorite warm weather beverage (iced tea, beer, soda, whatever) and have one of those lazy, low-key holidays.

3) Volunteer

Find your local homeless shelter, join a 5-K charity run, or offer to help clean up a nearby park. We often say that we wish we had more time for volunteer work. Well, a day-off qualifies!

4) Pub Crawl (for the wild ones out there)
Pick a neighborhood with lots of bars and clubs. Next, select a rendez-vous for your friends and have a drink there. When that drink is done, move on to the next closest place. This is particularly fun when you try out new neighborhoods and bars you might not typically visit. Plus, its a great way to break out of that rut you've been stuck in where you frequent the same three places repeatedly.

5) Adventure tour

Almost all major cities have companies that plan excursions. Go for a hike, a bike ride, kayaking, or base jumping... whatever floats your boat. Other options: skydiving, frisbee golf, walking tour of the city.

6) Block/Building Party

Talk to your neighbors and see which of them are sticking around for the holiday weekend. Plan a potluck dinner and tell everyone to bring some folding chairs and candles and mingle with your neighbors. Its a great way to socialize with the people in your building or your neighbors down the street.

Think outside the box, try something new, experiment, spread your wings... Whatever you end up doing, be sure to enjoy yourself, be safe, leave it better than you found it, and, most importantly, be thankful for your friends, family, and those who've lost their lives protecting and defending.

Best wishes for a fun and fabulous Memorial Day,

Eight at Eight Dinner Club

What IS the past tense of Tweet?

2009-05-11T08:34:00.000-07:00

I'm not (yet) on board with Twitter. I'll plainly admit it: I'm a Facebook junkie, but I just don't quite "get" twitter. It seems to do the exact same thing as my status update on Facebook, but with none of the cool pictures, videos, etc. Plus, it seems to be increasingly a form of mini-celebrity stalking. And when people like Glenn Beck are on board with Twitter, how "cool" can it really be?

The very funny girls at 2 Birds, 1 Blog have chimed in on Twitter, spelling out our fascination with both famous people and minutae, before ultimately deciding that Twitter is good thing, because it can aid in getting people some loving.

Compelling argument, ladies. However, for the moment I'm going to abstain (pun!) and remain the last guy on my block NOT on Twitter. That's not to say that I won't venture over to the dark side sometime very soon, but, for now, I'm steadfastly in (semi-)opposition. I leave you with a counter example that pretty sums up my feelings on tweeting...

Because its Monday...

2009-05-11T06:38:00.000-07:00

Yeah, its Monday. Mondays, by rule, almost always suck. They're slow, they're monotonous, they're filled with tedious tasks like returning all the emails you missed when you dipped out of work two hours early the previous Friday. In essence, nobody likes Mondays, and if you do, please pass the Kool-Aid this way.

Now, in order to combat this "case of the Mondays" of which I am currently suffering, I have decided to pass along a short video clip to brighten your otherwise dreary day. This is a short clip from the 1960s game show "The Newlywed Game." (If any of you ever saw the George Clooney film Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, you've seen this little gem before). It is semi-safe-for-work, as an expletive has been bleeped out, but, depending on the vibe of your workplace, you might want to listen with headphones on.

So, without further ado, the best game show response of all time.

Relationship E-cards

2009-04-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

If you haven't yet had the pleasure of spending some time at Some E-cards, you are sorely missing out. It is, perhaps, one of the internet's great time wasters. E-cards are free to send to friends, and all feature odd graphics and remarkably dry humor. I've taken the liberty of selecting a few cards that "fit" in with this blog's focus of dating and relationship. Enjoy!

We're Recovering Nicely

2009-04-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

So our office renovation (forced by an act of nature) is under way and we are currently in a temporary office space. Most people would view this as an annoyance, but this place is not your typical cubicle nightmare. This new office space has its own fully functioning espresso machine, a soda gun, and a very fun, funky decor. So, despite all the trauma and headaches, we're growing quite fond of our new digs!

We also wanted to say "thanks" to all of our friends, vendors, and clients who have taken the time to extend their support as we atempted to get our feet back underneath us. We even had numerous offers from people to help move furniture and office supplies. It just goes to show the outstanding caliber of people we've got in our Eight at Eight database. We appreciate all the kind words and help. You guys rock!

Ladies: see how the other half lives...

2009-04-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

It came as a surprise to many of us in the office when we purused a few copies of Men's Health magazine. Expecting wall-to-wall workout posters and ads for protein powder (which were indeed there), we found a remakable amount of Cosmo-like content. For instance, there was no shortage of articles about meeting/seeking/dating/bedding members of the opposite sex. How to rev her engine, how to date a co-worker, how to dress for a first-date: they were all there. What's really interesting is just how eerily reversible these male/female roles are.

Both sexes, it would seem, are concerned with their bedroom performance, making the right impression, or what the proper etiquette is when a few dates reveal no real chemistry. Despite all the outward differences, men and women are really all fighting the same battle of juggling family, friends, careers, and love lives. Sure, the dress code and the perception might be a bit different, but, deep down, everyone is looking for the same thing. Companionship, feeling comfortable with someone, avoiding awkwardness--these all seem to be universals in the dating world.

So, for your amusement, we've included a twelve-question quiz from the Men's Health website to demonstrate just how much in common their bathroom reading has with that of women. Guys: take the quiz and see how you do. Women readers should give it a shot as well, just to see what the other side of the dating game looks and feels like. Go ahead, waste a little company time!

The Men's Health "Master the First Date" Quiz

The Virtual Bar

2009-03-27T10:44:00.000-07:00

The Wall Street Journal recently published a fascinating online article the succinctly details all of the pitfalls of online dating the we at Eight at Eight have been harping on for years. We've been contending since the word "go" that online dating sounds better than it truly is. Jason Kephart, the article's author, gives us a laundry list of online dating realities that demonstrate the shell game, bait-and-switch of internet matchmaking. One telling quote from one of Kephart's sources: "Online dating sites’ biggest flaw is they don’t offer service of any kind. Rather, most of them function more like a giant virtual bar or nightclub."

Here's a taste of some of the other conclusions from Kephart's research:

Everyone is lying about something.
The total number of members on any given online dating site is grossly inflated, as many people, worn out from poor results, are "active" members of the community despite never actually logging on.
"Getting to know someone" online makes fertile ground for predators. Caveat emptor...
10% of community members receive 90% of the correspondence, meaning the vast majority of people are pumping money into a no-service, no-results situation.

Put simply, the best way to meet people is to meet people, test the sparks, and see what happens. Eight at Eight has been doing it this way for over 10 years. Our motto says it all: a better way to meet people. Happy dating!

Can You Make it to Dinner Tonight?

2009-03-23T06:14:00.000-07:00

The office spends lots of time making sure that 4 men and 4 women are scheduled to attend each event. That means the 72 hours before events, we reach out to specific members based on their profile if there is an available seat. Check out the good news below.....

Good Morning Elizabeth,

Thank you for thinking of me, but I am going to turn down the offer. I am happily in love with the man I met at my first dinner three months ago! Tell all your clients the good things happen at Zocalo!

-Jenny

Smart People Can't Find Love?

2009-03-04T07:43:00.000-08:00

Do intelligent people have a harder time dating than those whose bulbs are a few watts dimmer? Alex Benzer thinks so, citing youthful ambition as one of the early stumbling blocks for the exceptionally bright.

We tend to agree with Benzer, as Eight at Eight sees our fair share of the high-level executives and entrepreneurs who never have time to date. However, we never considered it to be a pattern that extends backward to, well, elementary school. What do you think? Is being smart a detriment to your dating life?

Eight at Eight ups the ante with its newest venture, One-on-One Matchmaking

2009-02-25T07:52:00.000-08:00

Eight at Eight Dinner Club has been a remarkable success over the past 10 years, beginning in Atlanta and now having expanded to six cities nationwide. Now the matchmakers from Eight at Eight are launching their newest venture, One-on-One Matchmaking!

One-on-One departs from our group dating concept to provide an unprecedented level of individualized attention. You tell us the type of person you're looking for and we track he or she down and set you up. Looking for an outdoors-y movie buff who has an advanced degree and enjoys travel? No problem. Seeking a tall tennis fanatic who is anything but an attorney? We can handle it.

One-on-One provides the type of face-time that other dating services cannot match. Anybody can set you up, but One-on-One coaches you up. We can coordinate wardrobe overhauls and personal style consultations. We can even provide you with a personal trainer to help you carry out those New Year's Resolutions. We do more than just help find your ideal partner, we help you find the ideal You!

We announced ourselves with an ultra-exclusive singles-only party. Check out our Flckr album for the photos from the kickoff of One-on-One Matchmaking.

There is no such thing as a free lunch

2009-02-18T05:21:00.000-08:00

We're a dating service, so we're up-to-speed on the various ways singles meet other singles. We know about blind dates, online matchmakers, speed dating, the bar scene, the singles cruises, etc. We are also aware of the dating wasteland known as Craig's List.

We at Eight at Eight are supicious of online dating in general. It is far too easy to manipulate profiles and pictures to make one appear something other than s/he is. It's the classic bait-and-switch. Craig's List compounds this inherent weakness by being available for free. I know, it sounds harsh, but hear me out on this one. Hold the thought on Craig's List and allow me to illustrate my point.

I recently went to Washington, D.C. for an Eight at Eight event. While there, I decided to do a little sight-seeing. I visited the Holocaust museum (free of charge) and was overwhelmed by the swarm of mostly apathetic pre-teens milling about. They're idly texting, sitting on the floor, doing that odd adolescent mating ritual where they tap one another and giggle. But, overwhelmingly, what they are doing is getting in my way.

After about 45 minutes of mind-numbing annoyance, I left the Holocaust museum without having seen even a modest portion of the exhibits. I walked over to the NEWSeum, the recently-opened museum of American journalism. NEWSeum charges a $20 fee for entry. The result: the place is practically kid-free. No throngs of disinterested juveniles, no busloads of hormonal timebombs. No zit creme, no bubble gum, no teenage games of grab-ass. What I got was a more enjoyable experience. The $20, which at first glance seems a rip-off when so many other museums offer free entry, was a blessing in disguise.

The point I'm getting at is that a sufficient fee keeps the riff-raff out. Sounds painfully elitist, I know. Yet, at the end of the day, you get what you pay for. Let's return to Craig's List, that egalitarian no-frills bulletin board. Who seeks love here? Oh, charming men seeking anonymous lunch hour sex, gold-digging pariahs, World of Warcraft fetishists, and guys like this. I think its safe to say that if CL charged a minuscule fee of, say, $5 a month, the number of posts would drop by half. That's because people aren't there for love, they are there to play. With no barrier of entry into the sandbox, everyone enters at once. The result is an impossible-to-navigate, cliche-filled wasteland of indecipherable abbreviations (DD-Free, NSA, HWP??) and artificiality. Your time and effort to sort through this monotony is worth more than your saving by going the free route.

Eight at Eight costs money. We've been in busy for ten years and we have expanded into 6 markets over that time. We've managed to do so because our service offers value. Your grandfather likely told you "there's no such thing as a free lunch," but he was wrong. There are free lunches, but who would want to eat it?

Texting takes all the fun out of dating

2009-02-09T09:22:00.000-08:00

A recent blog post by Niki Payne of the LA Examiner poses a fascinating question: what place (if any) does the text message have in the early phases of getting to know someone? Payne suggests that the when a woman gives a man her phone number, she expects a call and not a text. She further claims that the text indicates a desire for a "casual encounter" more than an actual relationship.

To be honest, I'd never thought about this one. In my personal life, I use the text message as a quick way to not interrupt someone else's life. If I call you, you may have to stop what you're doing to answer. The text allows you to get back to me when its convenient. However, I'm begining to see where Ms. Payne is coming from. I've railed about the alienation that technology has created in our lives before, so perhaps this is another example of the de-humanizing effects of our Crackberries and email accounts.

Moral of the story: take the time for a phone call. Moreover, take the time for a hand-written note instead of an email. Drop by to see someone and bypass the phone call. Heck, volunteer for a charity one afternoon instead of just writing a check. I'd suggest we might benefit from a bit more human interaction and a little less ones and zeros.

Valentine's Day HAS to be in February...

2009-02-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here at Eight at Eight, we deal with single men and women. In so doing, we've developed a pretty solid understanding of where stereotypes about men come from. Its been said that stereotypes begin for a kernel of truth and snowball into hyperbole. Such is the case with men and sports.

We've found that the notion of guys watching no other channel than ESPN to be a grotesque characterization. Don't get me wrong: gentlemen, by and large, love their sports. However, the image of them being glued to the television watching the popular sports (basketball, football, etc.) and the peculiar ones (golf, bowling, poker, etc.) is kind of misleading. Our experience has indicated that this short-changes men, as they typically have greater, more variagated interests than sweat spectacles.

That being said, there is a reason why Valentine's Day falls in February. Its after the madness of the end-of-year holiday season and post-New Year's Eve. Every four years, we have the presidential elections, which, as I'm sure we all recall, commands a great deal of our collective energy, and rightly so. Moreover, the Super Bowl officially signals the end of the Fall sports calendar and brings us into the short-lived dead zone of sports: February.

Think about it: no football, no baseball, no meaningful basketball, no major golf tournaments. February is a natural repreive from all things sport. However, its only a brief hiatus, for the greatest confluence of sports begins in March. First, the beginning of the college basketball tournament, with all its bracket-busting glory. This gem of a sport (when even the most casual fan spends hours glued to the screen) concludes just in time for the beginning of the Masters golf tournament. The Masters begets the start of baseball season, that most glorious Spring-to-Summer American mainstay. Thus, March to April is booked solid of meaningful, major sporting events that catapult us out of the winter doldrums and into Spring Fever. Which, of course, means that vacations can't be far off...

So, there is no more appropriate time Valentine's Day (a Hallmark-derived, marketing bonanza). Ladies deserve a little loving and reassurance during this time. Likewise, guys need to concentrate on their love lives a bit in February, as their free time is about to become somehwat limited from March to May. So, as much as we hate the commercialization of Valentine's Day, let's raise a toast to February, the month of connections and love renewed, for those Springtime distractions are just around the corner. And remember, a #12 always defeats at least one #5 seed...

We Hate Valentine's Day

2009-01-16T08:36:00.000-08:00

I know: it sounds weird coming from someone in the matchmaking business to hate Valentine's Day. Feb. 14 is one of those days to celebrate love and renew commitments and flowers, cupids, chocolate, blah blah blah.

Its artificial. The greeting card industry pumps the importance of V-Day into our heads in order to sell a lot of sentimental junk. As a consequence, it makes those of us who aren't in a relationship feel AWFUL. How many people have gone on terrible dates just so they wouldn't have to stay alone on Valentine's Day? How much cash has been wasted buying a 4-ft.-tall stuffed bear for someone you started dating 3 weeks prior who you really aren't crazy about but who you don't have the heart to dump right before Valentine's?

Here's what we suggest: get together with you single friends and have a night out on the town. Better yet, throw a party and invite all your friends (single or otherwise). Feb. 14 is always one of the busiest restaurant nights of the year. Save the cash, buy some terrific appetizers, and donate the money you would have spent to something more beneficial to the world than, say, Hallmark.

Or, gather all of your single co-workers for a game of "Obnoxiousness Bingo." Make a form on Excel and fill in the cells with some of the following:

kissy noises into the phone

singing telegrams

neckties with hearts on them

over-the-top flower arrangements

crying person in bathroom stall, upset over no special deliveries.

I hope you're beginning to see where we are coming from. Valentine's Day is just ridiculous. Why not make every day an opportunity to share your affection for someone. Surprise that somebody special with flowers for no reason. Treat yourselves to a great dinner out on a random Tuesday when you'd normally be eating Hamburger Helper while wathcing "American Idol." And for our singles, forget the pressure of V-day. Its an arbitrary date on the calendar, no more, no less.

A Gift for Single People

2008-12-10T13:17:00.000-08:00

To: You

From: Eight at Eight!

The infectuous Holiday spirit has grabbed hold of us. We have a gift for all of you singles out there. But, just like a gift under the tree, you can't have it now. We'll be ripping the gift wrap off of this puppy the first of the year! Until then, keep your filthy mits off the box, people! Remember: patience is a virtue.

Happy Holidays!

New Year's (Pe)Eve!

2008-12-04T06:57:00.000-08:00

Every holiday or major event comes with its share of annoyances. New Year's Eve is no different. Why is it that we all seem to suffer from collective amnesia when it comes to NYE? Thinking back, most of my nights out on December 31st were nightmares, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Why do we always claim to have a wonderful time on NYE when, in fact, its generally a major pain? Is it the booze? The overwhelming hopefulness of the coming year? Am I just a grump? You tell me: here are some of my most aggravating experiences during New Year's Eve nights out.

1) The bathroom line.

You know this has happened to you: It's 40 minutes until the New Year, so you rush to the bathroom to beat the lines and be back in time for Dick Clark to count down that giant ball. Like you, everyone in the building is operating according to the same strategy. Just as you approach the stall, the chant begins... 10, 9, 8... Another new year celebrated amid a stack of seat covers!

2) Party favors.

Confetti. Annoying horns. Silly Hats. Beads. 'Nuff said.

3) Too Many People.

You drop $150 for the most happening party in town. You get to the door and its stacked 50 deep at the bar. The door guy approaches you and offers V.I.P. treatment for an additional $50, which takes you upstairs to a bar that is merely 40 people deep! And don't be fooled by the 2 AM breakfast buffet--it's bad...

4) Vomit.

Someone, without fail, will throw up in proximity to you. It's a fact of life.

5) Taxis.

4-leaf clovers are easier to come by than a cab on New Year's Eve. By 3 AM, you'd give the deed to house for a guy pulling a rickshaw and a bottled water.

6) Where'd my friend go?

You're at a party in the ballroom of a hotel and there are 6000 people amid disco lights and smoke. You're going to get separated from your group. You will not find them. Why? Because they are in the bathroom line (see #1).

I must admit, though, that the best NYE celebrations have always been at a friend's house, away from the sound and the fury, the hustle and the bustle. Do yourself a favor: avoid the throng of people. Invite your nearest and dearest over. Buy a few bottles of bubbly (grape juice or champagne, whichever floats your boat), and then make a resolution to do it more often. You'll thank us. Here's wishing you a happy, healthy 2009!

Return to Normalcy...

2008-11-07T07:18:00.001-08:00

The election is over. I think all of us can agree it was both a grueling and exhilerating process. Most of us are exhausted by all the presidential rhetoric and incessant advertisements by this time, but it did provide some exciting drama and more than a few laughs (Tina Fey, anyone?).

If you are anything like me, you've put your life on hold for the last month or so, spending your free time picking apart debates and waiting for the obligatory gaff or Freudian slip. But now that its all over, its time to return to your life. Here's some suggestions for returning to your life without elections!

1) TiVo: You have the last 11 episodes of "The Office," several hours of "90210" that you accidentally recorded, and several bad guys have been arrested on "CSI:Topeka" that you have completely missed. The Holiday season is approaching, so we advise the following: go to the gym and have a killer workout, then sit in front of the tube for a weekend and catch up on your favorite shows. Yeah, its lazy and unproductive, but we'll forgive you!

2) Reconcile: Admit it--you let a few friendships wither a bit due to political reasons. Now that the election is over, you can resume normal communication. Invite that dumbass who voted for XYZ for lunch. And be cordial. Presidential terms last four years; good friends last forever.

3) Movie Time: Here's how the cycle works-summer is for blockbuster popcorn flicks like Iron Man and The Dark Knight. Fall is usually the dead zone where the studios dump all the crap that's left at the bottom of the barrel on us. However, winter is when the good stuff comes out. Expect a great Pixar movie and all the "prestige" films that are gunning for Academy Awards in February. Grab your local listings and check out a good movie.

4) Uh, Eight at Eight? Hello!: You knew this was coming, right? The Holidays are quicky approaching, which means lots of travel and shopping and parties. Have some you time before this hullaballoo starts in earnest. Plus, you might meet someone intriguing to take to the Holiday parties at work.

5) Volunteer: Thanksgiving is busy time at our local homeless shelters. How about give something back this season? Yeah, its time consuming, but it beats watching five consecutive episodes of "Gray's Anatomy" while eating pizza, no?

Dating Horror Stories

2008-10-24T06:42:00.000-07:00

Special Halloween Edition!

As was I sitting in the office sucking down all the mini-Snickers that were supposed to be for trick-or-treaters, I began to get in the Halloween spirit. I started contemplating all the usual Halloween topics--favorite scary movies, best costumes, old school ghost stories, etc. This got me thinking: what about dating horror stories. We all have them, and, being that this a dating blog, it certainly would be apropos. I remembered this little gem from The San Francisco Chronicle that appeared a few years ago about the foibles on online dating. Take a look. It's funny stuff!

I'll be sticking with this theme for the duration of the month, tossing out bits of Halloween-themed tidbits. I love Halloween -- maybe its the devil in me.

Love Songs, Etc.

2008-10-08T09:45:00.000-07:00

It's a dreary, rainy day here at the office. A disc jockey at a local radio station commented that this gray mess is perfect "love makin'" weather. I don't take issue with his correlation of "nookie" and rainy days. What I do have a problem with is the song choice that followed. I'm sure you've guessed it already-- Marvin Gaye, "Let's Get It On." It's a certified classic, no arguments here, but its time to retire it. Its a cliche of itself. Boring white septuagenarian dentists can sing every word. Not to mention, there are far better (and sexier) songs in the Marvin Gaye oeuvre. A staw poll here at the office reveals a stronger preference for "You're All I Need to Get By" and "Sexual Healing."

All of this discussion brought us to this: what other sacred cows in the love song genre need to taked down, or, perhaps, just out of rotation for a few years. Here are a few tired songs and our suggested replacements. Feel free to chime in. (You're right... we do a whole lot of goofing off at work.)

Get rid of it: "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin
Substitute: "I'll Be Your Lover Too" by Van Morisson

Get rid of it: "Every Breath You Take" by The Police
Substitute: "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak

Get rid of it: Anything by Sade
Substitute: Anything by Maxwell

Get rid of it: "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers
Substitute: "You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker

Get rid of it: "A Groovy Kind of Love" by Phil Collins
Substitute: "I've Got Dreams to Remember" by Otis Redding.

No arguing:
"At Last" by Etta James
"Bring It On Home to Me" by Sam Cooke
"Your Song" by Elton John

Let us know what you think. This has prompted a rather heated discussion here at Eight at Eight Headquaters! And here's hoping that the weather improves. If it doesn't, well... I'm sure you can find something to occupy your time.

Dating Etiquette During Election Season

2008-10-03T06:17:00.000-07:00

I know, I know: when vetting potential partners, you need to know about their political views. I get that. However, there is a time and a place! More than a few otherwise charming and adorable singles have been written off due to their political fervor that is, quite frankly, off putting. To that end, we've brainstormed this idea at the office and came up with some do's and do-not's until you pull the election lever.

1) Never assume someone shares your opinion.
Example: "Can you believe that [candidate x] wants to [insert controversial proposal here]? I mean, the nerve, right?

2) Asking someone's party affiliation might not fly until after the 1st month milestone.
If your conversations with potential matches go something like this, you may be in trouble.

You: Hi, I'm Karen.
Him: I'm David.
You: Nice to meet you, David. What do you do?
Him: I'm an investment banker.
You: Oh, yeah? That's interesting.
Him: What about y---
You: (interrupting) Democrat or Republican?
Him: Wow, I was just...
You: (interrupting) Answer the question, flip-flopper!

3) As a rule, politics and religion make poor conversation fodder.
Yeah, I get it: the weather is dull. But you know what? Dull has never offended anyone, either. Politics might fly a little better on odd-numbered years, but during election season, everyone is a bit more inclined to tear your head off. Think about it: the pundits on cable news can't even speak in a civil manner about elections, so how can two strangers, particularly when after the second pinot noir?

4) Opposites attract, so don't shut the door on those who disagree with you.
Think: Carville and Matalin. Political differences can be overcome, but don't make that the first hurdle. Focus on someone's personality, their manners, hell, their looks! In general, its tough to seek only those who match you perfectly on ever idea and hobby. Imagine the difficulty of finding a lapse-Catholic, rock-climbing, vegan, Libertarian, Harley-enthusist, competitive video gaming, scrapbooking attorney who has a 401(k) and loves dogs, but not cats. Good luck with that...

As always, we return to our mantra of sorts: be yourself, relax, extend others some courtesy, and you'll be fine. And maybe you should consider leaving the Obama or McCain "flair" at home.

We Love Our Job....Unsolicited Success Stories

2008-09-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

"I had lunch yesterday with a nice girl who just moved to town from NYC. She said her friend met her husband through 8 at 8!"

Cute as a Button!

2008-09-18T11:43:00.001-07:00

Our office enjoys getting to hear feedback after the dinner party. One thing we've been hearing more and more is how fantastic our hostesses are! The New York hostess, Ashley, has gotten lots of great accolades recently. Hear more of what our clients are saying....

"I went to the dinner event last night. The restaurant was fantastic. Good group of people. Ashley was a great hostess."

"I was really kind of nervous (this was my first dinner) but Ashley made all the difference! She was so warm and welcoming ~ I very much enjoyed all of my dinner companions and the restaurant was great as well. Thanks for a marvelous evening!"

"Ashley is a nice hostess and very friendly."

"Still think Ashley is cute as a button; the friendliest and most comfortable of the 8@8 greeters I've met. "

"I also wanted to mention how wonderful our hostess, Ashley, was ~ she made us all feel so comfortable in what could have been an awkward, uncomfortable situation!"

Eight at Eight Loves THE REGULAR GUYS!

2008-09-16T13:21:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm totally obsessed with Atlanta's favorite Rock Station 100.5. The Regular Guys in the morning are the coolest dudes on the radio. I'm smitten. Here are some pics from my most recent visit.

Photo #1 - Larry Wachs

Photo #2 - Tim Andrews - Producer and Gary Lewis - General Manager.

Wall Street Journal Mentions Eight at Eight in Article about Group Dating

2008-09-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

DID YOU SEE US IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH?

By HANNAH SELIGSON To the untrained eye and ear, the scene of young professionals sipping cocktails with a steady stream of popular music playing in the background seemed like a typical Thursday night at Forum, a trendy Union Square watering hole for those born around, say, 1983. The only clues that there could be something out of the ordinary taking place were a bright orange sign that said "Ignighter" and a large supply of blue drink tickets that were cycling through the crowd. No, this wasn't a corporate morale booster, an alumni gathering or a charity event. It was a group date.

Group-dating -- think of it as double-dating on steroids or as Facebook in the flesh -- is making a noticeable blip on the dating radar, as a younger generation turns away from such courtship rituals as the blind date. Even Web sites like e-Harmony and Match.com have become passé. Instead of just going out alone or in pairs, a bunch of people -- roughly equal numbers of each sex -- engage in a social activity together. One group of three or four friends meets up with another.

Group-dating plays to the tastes of a generation that's become disillusioned with Internet dating sites, particularly the lies that users tell about themselves online; the futile process of trying to meet people at bars; and blind dates that feel like job interviews. Instead, these young men and women want to have their dating lives simulate the way they meet people in real life: through concentric circles of friends. Especially for recent college graduates who suddenly find themselves without the social anchors of a campus, going out on "a random," as Internet dates are referred to, is like jumping into a pool of sharks.

Ignighter.com, a free site geared toward 20-somethings (their median age is 24), was created in 2007 to solve these problems. The site is the brainchild of Daniel Osit, 26, and Adam Sachs, 25, who found themselves bereft of any appealing dating options when they graduated from college. "Our social lives were so routine, and we weren't meeting anyone. We wanted to come up with a way to meet new people and still be with our friends," Mr. Sachs said.

On Ignighter.com, groups are formed through an ambassador -- a kind of social director -- who invites his or her friends to join. The group is given a name, a members' photo is montaged together from the individual ones that have been submitted (creating a sort of artificial group picture), information about the group is filled in, and a link to everyone's Facebook profile is inserted. Then, the dating begins. And this is where it becomes a bit different from your typical singles event. Groups go out with other groups. Any individual in the group can ask another group out on a date, but everyone in the group goes, eliminating some of the awkwardness that plagues singles events.

Group-dating came on the scene in 1998 with 8at8, a service that sets up dinner dates with four men and four women and now has 25,000 members in six major metropolitan areas. Then came the Internet and, with it, sites like TeamDating.com, which has a concept similar to Ignighter's. TeamDating's 40,000 members are concentrated mostly in urban areas and field teams that average three people. Ignighter's 10,000 users also mostly hail from big cities.

IamFreeTonight.com allows its 70,000 users to post double-date and group-date listings. Meet New People, a Facebook dating application, has more than three million users who post when they are free to "hang out" and RSVP to group gatherings.
The groups often try activities a little more adventurous than dinner and a movie, perhaps because there is less one-on-one pressure to impress than on a traditional date. Participants go bowling, take a hiking trip or try a night at the Philharmonic.

The concept, of course, is nothing new. "There's been a long history of group-dating in this country," says Beth Bailey, the author of "From Front Porch to Back Seat: Courtship in Twentieth Century America." "In the 1920s, people went to 'petting parties,' where young people made out in the presence of their peers. It was a way of saying 'I belong to youth culture.'"

While the sexual license of "petting parties" shocked Jazz Age parents, by the 1940s and 1950s group-dating was encouraged for reasons of propriety. "Parents wanted to keep their daughters from being alone with a man, since having a child out of wedlock would ruin your life back then," says Ms. Bailey.

And, of course, many religious communities have continued to promote group-dating throughout the 20th century. "Group-dating is the only kind of dating we encourage up until about the age of 20," says David Pack, the Pastoral General of the Restored Church of God, in Wadsworth, Ohio. "It's a lot easier to maintain barriers with other people around."

But there are others who worry about what this trend means for young people. Dan Cere, the author of "The Experts' Story of Courtship," a report put out in 2000 by the Institute for American Values, is concerned that this practice is part of a "hanging out and hooking up" culture. If a group date ends in men and women pairing off to engage in some kind of sexual activity, he says, it "may feed into a male tendency toward loose, noncommitted sexual relationships with women."

But talk to women who group date and you find that they are not looking for no-strings-attached relationships. Just as group-dating protected women of the Greatest Generation, many today see it as a shield. "I don't know how willing I would be to go on a date with a stranger," explains Jacqueline Malan, 25, who has been in two groups set up through Ignighter.

Ray Doustdar, the co-founder of TeamDating, says his most positive feedback isn't from men giddy about doubling, tripling or quadrupling their odds on date night; it's from female participants who are relieved to have found a certain amount of security. The guys, meanwhile, see the perks as social lubrication and a fleet of ready wingmen.

In many ways, 21st-century group-dating is a confluence of its past iterations. It's become a way for people to identify with youth culture, the Facebook generation's rebellion against the traditional dating model, and a means for women to dial down the pressure of today's hypersexualized dating scene. All while increasing the odds that these faces in a crowd will find the right someone.

Ms. Seligson is the author of "New Girl on the Job: Advice From the Trenches."

Professional Matchmaking & Date Coaching Worldwide Conference

2008-09-14T05:46:00.000-07:00

Hi - I'm spending this weekend at an energizing conference with other professionals in the Matchmaking Industry. It is a small, boutique industry and I'm learning a lot. I'll detail more on this blog over the next week. I've got lots of pictures and have learned about a lot of unique services.

XOXO,
Sarah Kathryn

OK Magazine - Hot off the Press!

2008-09-09T08:12:00.000-07:00

Wow - this media coverage is awesome! We're thrilled to report that OK Magazine has featured Eight at Eight as one of it's Top 10 Ways to Find Love.

#1 Eight is great. Unconventional daters may want to test-drive the Eight at Eight Dinner Club, where singles can mingle without stress. "Members meet in groups of four single men and four single women for an evening of stimulating conversation, good food and a chance to find romance," says company president Sarah Kathryn Smith. "The relaxed group setting relieves the pressure of one-on-one dates." Best of all: Eight at Eight boasts a track record of 100 marriages! Visit www.8at8.com to learn more

Washington D.C. Dinner at Cafe Delux

2008-08-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

Our expansion into the DC market is going really really well. Our core membership of singles ages 27-35 have turned out in a major way. Eight at Eight is attracting super successful, over-educated, ridiculously attractive singles together over dinner. And it is working......Stay tuned for more success stories from Washington.

A Lucky Couple Weds on August 8th, 2008!

2008-08-12T07:41:00.000-07:00

Nothing motivates our staff more than hearing about singles having success with Eight at Eight. Chad and Wendy met on 08/08/07 and wed on 08/08/08. Congratulations to both of you and we wish you a lifetime of wonderful memories! Thank you for sharing your good news with us.

Dear Eight at Eight,

I wanted to let you know that I met my now husband last year at your August 8th event. We just celebrated our one year meeting anniversary a few days ago on 8/8/8 after our honeymoon in Costa Rica. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to meet Chad! Thank you for your work to bring couples together. We tell people about you all the time!

Sincerely,

Wendy

Atlanta Dinner at Spice Market

2008-08-07T06:25:00.000-07:00

Last night we hosted two tables at Atlanta's newest restaurant, Spice Market. I have to admit that I was skeptical that this off-shoot of the Manhattan restaurant would get it right. I was absolutely amazed at my experience there. The food and spices were amazing. The service top notch. I can't wait to return.

"I had a lovely time! The restaurant was great and the conversation was very pleasant! Thanks again!"

"Dinner was great last night."

"Thanks for the invite. I enjoyed the event. The food and
the company were great."

* Special thanks to those in this photo. It is difficult to convince 8 complete strangers to pose for photos. We appreciate you letting us use your image to spread the word!

NYC Hostess Ashley visits Headquarters!

2008-08-04T12:45:00.000-07:00

Our office celebrated getting to host Ashley at headquarters. She spent the afternoon reaching out to members to see if they are interested in attending some of the events she has planned in August and September. Ashley is currently pursueing her PhD at Columbia. Meet her at the next dinner you attend!

D.C. Launch is a Success!

2008-07-29T07:50:00.000-07:00

Sixth market is up and running!

I have just returned from my trip to DC to host one of our first events at PS7's, and it went beautifully! Thanks to all of your for your help and patience while we got our newest venture off the ground. If the first few dinners are any indication, DC is going to be one of our most vibrant and exciting markets!

We've met DC members who were referred by friends who've been 8at8 clients in Chicago and Atlanta, so word-of-mouth has been a huge benefit to us. We cannot thank enough those of you who have helped make our newest launch a success. On that note, if you have friends in family in the metropolitan Washington area who are ready to get off the internet dating merry-go-round and meet some terrific upscale singles, please pass our name along!

We have some great events planned for DC in the coming weeks, including dinners at Tuscana West and Cafe Deluxe. Visit our Events page for a list of things to come in all six of our markets and get signed up today!

Does Technology Bring Us Together?

2008-07-22T09:53:00.000-07:00

One of the first victims of the technology age was the letter. Think about it: when was the last time you sat down and wrote a letter, on paper and with a pen. In this age of instant gratification, we've come to a point where we are often losing face-to-face contact. I mean, where would you be without checking your email? And I know we have more than a few "Crackberry" addicts out there. The text message, certainly a time-saver and a convenience, even distances you a step further from hearing someone's voice on a telephone call. And, to be honest, I've completely "un-learned" how to write in cursive!

I'm sure you've all had that moment where you've sent an email and, being that email has no "tone" or tone of voice or body language to accompany it, the recipient misinterprets what you mean. A short reply is read as being curt or rude. A joke on your part is read as a jab by the reader. Electronic communication has made the world smaller, but in many ways it has driven a wedge between us. Its so easy to text a "hello," but whatever happened to meeting for a cup of coffee to catch up? Don't get me wrong-- technology has done amazing things for us, but, deep down, it has been at the expense of a piece of our humanity.

I think thats one of the great things about Eight at Eight. Its offline, so there is none of false statements and fake personas you find on the internet. You are sitting in front of other real human beings, exploring the possibility of romance and friendship in a real setting, not some virtual chat room. And no matter how technologically advanced we become, we will always need to EAT. So, when you sit down for dinner with people, you're engaging in an activity that has been around as long as time, sharing conversation and a few laughs in a way that isn't that far removed from how your grandparents and their grandparents shared a meal. Eight at Eight, and, for that matter, any other form of face-to-face activity, reconnects you with people. No typing, no wi-fi, no damn smiley faces made out of punctuation marks.

So, the next time you go out to catch a ball game with friends, sit down for a drink, or grab a quick bite to eat with your buddies, realize that you are sharing in experiences that cannot be replicated on your iPhone or by clicking a mouse. Technology is great and we all benefit from it, but make sure you're taking the time in your life to get back in touch with the real, the living and the breathing. And, when you get the time, grab the stationary and drop someone a line so that the art of letter-writing won't be lost forever.

Fashion Tips from Eight at Eight

2008-07-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'll admit it: the term "fashion" is sort of pretentious, which is the opposite of what Eight at Eight is about. Let's re-title this "What to wear," shall we? The goal of Eight at Eight is for you to have a good time, to be comfortable, and to enjoy yourself. To that end, follow these tips to make sure your night out is as enjoyable as possible.

1) Wear whatever you would normally wear on a first date.
That is assuming, of course, that your first dates aren't typically at a monster truck rally or a roller derby. Our restaurants are upscale, but never stuffy, so guys-- ditch the tie, and ladies-- save the ball gown for, well, a ball.

2) Check out the restaurant's website.
You can always get the vibe of restaurant by taking a look at their website. Your confirmation emails from us will include a link to you event's destination. If the photos of the site are kicking a trendy/chic vibe, dress accordingly. If you're still unsure, don't hesitate to phone the restaurant and speak directly with the reservationist. They'll be happy to give you the skinny.

3) Jeans ARE appropriate.
Nine out of ten times, denim is apropos for Eight at Eight's restaurants. That doesn't mean you should pull out your Axl Rose knee-hole Levis. Rather, dress up your casual clothing! Women can easily transform their favorite jeans into evening wear with a nice cardigan, a dressy top, or a pair of heels. Gentlemen: a long-sleeved shirt tucked in always looks great, and a sport coat and denim is a can't lose. By the same token, though, don't hesitate to dress DOWN your work gear. By losing the tie, a dress shirt and slacks is a perfectly appropriate and classy choice. Skirts and a blouse minus the jacket makes a great first impression.

4) Remember, its about comfort and fun.
The most important thing is that you come prepared to relax and enjoy yourself. Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident. The attitude you exude says so much more about you than the clothes on your back. So, in conclusion, don't sweat the small stuff. Smile, kick back, and be yourself, and you are well on your way to an enjoyable night out.

Don't Poke the Bear at the Zoo!!!

2008-06-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

Justin, marketing & promos guru, lets you behind the curtain.

Most of you don't know me. I'm the marketing guy. You get my emails, you've seen my ads, you've more than likely attended some of my promotional events. Yet, on top of all these duties, there is one job I cherish: the only GUY in the office. I get to lift the heavy boxes, I get to the be the bodyguard for the lovely ladies in the office when we go out to events. And when on that rare occasion someone decides to take a shot at my co-workers, I get to be the D.R. (Designated Responder). Don't get me wrong-- the vast majority of our clients and contacts are terrific, kind people. I get far more friendly correspondence than anything else. However, there is a certain anonymity to email that makes people think they can say whatever they like without reproach. Uh, wrong. You see, many cowardly, unhappy souls like to belittle others to make themselves feel better, and email proves a perfect forum. Most of these unkind people wouldn't have the audacity to criticize someone face to face, but they'll happily send a snarky, rude email. And when this inevitably happens (rarely, but it does), I graciously allowed to retort on behalf of the office. Some examples:

1) Inaugural vs. 1st Annual
I sent out an email blast thanking everyone for their attendance at our "first annual Eight at Eight Beach Trip to Destin, Florida." One guy decided to take me to task.

"First annual is incorrect usage. It should be "inaugural". I prefer to spend time with people who know the difference."

Au contraire, mon ami! My response:

Dear XYZ,

We carefully considered the usage of the term "first annual" prior to sending out our email. Just to be certain, we consulted Paul Brian's "Common Errors in English Usage." According to Brian:

"Some people get upset when the “first annual” occurrence of some event is announced, arguing that it doesn’t become annual until it’s been repeated. But “first annual” simply means 'the first of what is planned to be an annual series of events'—it’s a fine expression."

We in the office find that Brian's book is particularly useful when English usage questions come up. We've included the link to purchase the book from Amazon.com should you ever find yourself in need of such a manual.

http://www.amazon.com/Common-Errors-English-Usage-Brians/dp/1887902899/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1211385853&sr=8-1

2) The Inappropriate Guy
Some of Eight at Eight's best employees are pulled right from our client roster. We always try to find sociable, outgoing, and friendly people to host our events. So, when we find ourselves in need of someone new, we comb our email list before ever placing an ad. This practice, though, troubled one of our members.Below is response to one of my coworkers:

Do I get to bang guests for free as part of my salary? I think you should include that as a perk. Haha, why would you send this
out to perspective customers? It lowers the perceived value of 8at8 as a service. Why not
hire a bumb by a bridge who could enjoy the free booze and food?

No so fast, Skippy! No one talks to my coworkers that way! "Banging!" "Booze!" My response:

Dear ABC, We frequently send out our job postings and event notices to our members, former members
and prospective clients (note that I used the word "prospective," the appropritate word,
as opposed to "perspective," as you did below). We've found in our 10 years of business,
which dates back to when you were a whopping 15 years old!) that word-of-mouth is the best
way to recruit both customers and employees. The vast majority of our employees and clients
have been referred by friends. And seeing as how we are opening our sixth market in Washington, D.C.
next month, I feel certain that the consensus is that our "perceived
value" hasn't been lowered whatsoever as a result of our methods. And as for
"banging" guests -- You sound like such a charming guy. I can't imagine why a
25-year-old in the prime of his life for the bar/singles scene, would have even expressed
interest in our dating service! I'm sure you're laying pipe all over the city! Charming
guy like you?? And since you see no value in our service, I've removed you from our
email list.

Note the spelling of the word "bum" as well. Long story made short-- don't be that guy.
Our email blasts are made to be informaland quickly digested. Nobody likes a jackass,
either. So, please enjoy your stay at the zoo. Just remember, don't poke the bears!

Your Drink Order Speaks Volumes...

2008-06-02T09:23:00.000-07:00

The old saying lifted from the dandruff commercial about never getting a second chance to make a first impression turns out to be true. We often get feedback from our clients and hostesses that speak volumes about our dinner guests-- their drink choice.

Before we delve into this, let's be clear: drink what you like. It's your dinner, it's your liver. Likewise, most of the below statements are gross generalizations, so keep that in mind. We're just having a little fun with some of the tendencies we've seen over the year.

Wine
Red or White, it doesn't matter. It's sophisticated, goes great with a meal, and, without too much spinning and sniffing, is an unpretentious selection for your dinner date. White Zin? Your first hint should be that you can get it at Chuck E. Cheese. Avoid.

Beer
Domestic beer has struggled to overcome its blue collar stereotypes, but it alerts everyone at the table that you aren't overly concerned with appearances. You can even step up your game-- order a refreshing hefeweizen (wheat beer) like Hoegarrden or Paulaner served in an attractive tall glass. Even better, opt for a delicious Belgian beer, every bit as sophisticated as a glass of wine and just as versatile with food. However, like wine, avoid playing the snob card. It's unattractive.

Martini
It's a classic for a reason. It's not fruity, meaning you can handle your booze. It's classy, with not an ounce of pretentiousness. A caviat: they're potent, one too many and your great vacation story becomes obscured by your slurring. You've been warned.

Cosmopolitan
Ten years ago, the Cosmo was a perfectly acceptable cocktail for dinner. Now, you look like a Carrie Bradshaw wannabe. It's fine if you like the show, but if it comes off as a TV-show derivative, you risk looking a bit silly.

Scotch
The essential manly man's drink that, paradoxically, work's better in the hand of the ladies. It reflects both refinement and confidence, but it also is more appropriate with certain meals than others. Steak and other hearty foods? Go for it. Comfort food or upscale Mexican? No so much.

Margarita
Speaking of Mexican, its the go-to drink for that most sociable and fun of cuisine. Outside of the confines of such a restaurant, though, and it looks like you're still in college. Its always fine as a starter, but move on to something more "adult" with your meal.

Vodka
Have it straight, with cran, with orange juice, with tonic. It doesn't matter. It's refreshing and always a winner. The same holds true for gin.

Shots
You're at a dinner party, not a kegger. Refrain.

Bourbon
With coke or water, its another certifiable classic libation. With just about anything else (Red Bull), it smacks of desperation. Mint Julep, you ask? It's a lie perpetuated on humanity by the people of Kentucky. Nobody likes them, and they probably never have. Therefore, a dinner order screams "fake."

Champagne and Sparkling Whites
Classy and refined. However, we feel champagne is best reserved for romantic one-on-ones and celebrations. Open bar at a wedding? Knock yourself out.

Again, take all of this with a grain of salt. The most important thing while out on a dinner date is to be yourself. Don't order a drink to impress others. We humans are intuitive creatures, and we generally can see right through it. That being said, take in to account the vibe of the restaurant, the food you will be pairing your drink with, and they company you're keeping. With a little careful consideration, you can't go wrong.

8 at 8 in Playboy

2008-05-12T12:51:00.001-07:00

We're so excited to be featured in the June 2008 issue of Playboy magazine. Under the "Advisor" section, the editors list Eight at Eight as the way for the "modern man" to meet women!

We've already been getting a great deal of calls from gentlemen who've seen the article and want to get involved. So, guys-- welcome aboard. Ladies, hang tight. A new batch of wonderful single men are on the horizon.

If you've got single friends looking to meet new people, tell them about us. After gaining exposure with first Oprah and now Hugh Hefner, you can rest assured we're the best value in the matchmaking game!

Founder of Eight at Eight: Tom Parker - Happy Birthday Eight at Eight! Today we’re turning 9 years old.

2008-05-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

The Godfather of 8at8 is Tom Parker a brilliant consultant and creative genius. In 1998 he started 8at8 by developing the trademark, original website and logo. After creating this clever business, he decided to persue other opportunities and sold his interest in 8at8 to me, Sarah Kathryn Smith, in 1999.

Although he doesn’t live in any of our operational cities, he has been a wonderful resource and consultant to me for many years. He is invaluable and I had the opportunity to have a drink with him in Chicago when our business trips overlapped. We talk monthly and everytime I hang up I am energized by his vision for 8at8. Thank you Tom for everything – you are THE BEST. You gave me the opportunity to pursue my dream of being a matchmaker. Creating quality matches has been one of the most rewarading accomplishments in my life. Thank you!

We Missed you in Destin - Eight at Eight's 1st Annual Vacation!

2008-05-09T11:21:00.000-07:00

Wow - the trip to Destin was more fun than we ever imagined. Our group of 30+ got along like old friends. We enjoyed a day on the beach, a cocktail cruise, lots of fruity drinks and yummy seafood. A fantastic bunch bonded in Destin, Fl for a 3 day weekend of fun, sun, and lots of making out! To see pictures of the weekend click HERE.

Don't miss the next trip. We're tossing around the idea of taking a ski trip this winter. It will be especially convenient for our Denver chapter. Stay tuned and don't miss it!

*********
"I'm home and back to work today regaling everyone in the office with tales of my trip."

"I had so much fun even beyond smooching on a cute boy I find interesting."

"You have to plan another Eight at Eight vacation. I will go no matter where it is."

Sarah Kathryn goes to The Oprah Show for the Sex in the City Debut!

2008-04-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

I got to attend as an audience member, the taping of The Oprah Show that featured Sex In the C ity The Movie. The entire cast was interviewed and I got to preview the movie! It was fantastic and you are going to love it. I'm sworn to secrecy (by Sarah Jessica Parker herself!) to not share any details. All I can say is I assure you it is worth it!

Oprah Show - Thursday, May 1st
Sex in the City Movie - In Theaters May 30th

Getting Ready for the trip to DESTIN!

2008-04-29T10:05:00.000-07:00

We're closing the office this Thursday and Friday and taking the staff and 35 lovely singles to Destin, FL for a long weekend. Planning the trip has totally consumed our office because we want to make sure everyone has a blast. Photos will be posted next week.

The marketing efforts have really picked up as well! Check out all crap-ola we're bringing to the beach. After this weekend we are sure to need more members - folks are likely to couple off don't you think? Sun, sand, alcohol...... mmmm sounds like romance to me!

Diary of a First Time Hostess - Sandy

2008-04-29T09:44:00.000-07:00

I was so excited and nervous about hosting my first Eight at Eight Dinner Party! I arrived at the restaurant 30 minutes early and parked myself at the bar while waiting for the first group of Eight at Eighters to arrive. The group of eight arrived around the same time and the drink orders flooded in! They were such a blast - everybody was just so excited to be there and to meet each other. The bartender did a wonderful job with everyone's drink and is in the photo attached. After 15 minutes of drinks, I escorted the group to their table to enjoy dinner together.

Everyone was enthusiastic and genuinely happy to be meeting each other. I think I had just as much fun as they did! I heard that the table even went back down to the bar after dinner to enjoy more cocktails together.

When everything was said and done, it was an all around fabulous evening. Second dates have already been set up and we have received wonderful feedback. I can't wait to hostess the next event! See you there!

Sandy, Atlanta
(In Photo - Sandy, Bartender, Elizabeth)

Sarah Kathryn is Interviewed by The Regular Guys in Atlanta

2008-04-15T08:37:00.000-07:00

Sarah Kathryn surprised The Regular Guys this morning with bagels, coffee and dating advice! On Tuesdays they are changing formats to appeal only to ladies. We're trying to get South Side Steve to give an Eight at Eight Dinner a shot. He is quite the ladies man and only wants to participate if he can be the ONLY man at the table with seven women. We'll see....

Our little helpers

2008-04-11T16:06:00.000-07:00

Some days we have more “employees” in the office than others. This was an especially busy Friday.

The Girls Night Out!

2008-04-05T08:26:00.000-07:00

Our office had a blast last night at Sugarland's concert. If you're not into country music you wouldn't be impressed. But we had fun getting away from the phones, the emails, and then hostessing just for one night. Jennifer Nettles, the lead singer, is from the same hometown as Anna-Laura so we had front row - OF COURSE!

L-R in photo: SarahKathryn, Elizabeth, and Anna-Laura.

Wedding Bells are Ringing!

2008-04-02T11:45:00.000-07:00

"I just wanted to let you know that you can remove me from your list. Bill and I met in September of 2006 and have been dating ever since. We just recently became engaged! We are in the planning stages of our wedding that's scheduled to take place May of 2009. I've told all my single friends about your services as we are both happier because of it."

Find Your Destiny in Destin, FL

2008-03-28T15:50:00.000-07:00

This Week in Denver features Eight at Eight Dinner Club!

2008-03-01T08:07:00.000-08:00

check out the EXCELLENT review 8at8 received on This Week in Denver!

For the Record – we’re never hosting this dinner!

2008-01-27T16:02:00.000-08:00

Any one interested in having a unique dining experience? 50 meters above-ground-dining event, arranged by Benji Fun company in Belgium. It provides seating for 22, complete with Chef, server, and musician. You can select your own location without limitation. Guaranteed safety with the hoisting crane which can even accommodate an automobile presentation to your customers. http://www.dinnerinthesky.com/purchase.php

Ten Best Things About Being Single

2008-01-25T16:01:00.000-08:00

You just came back from the holidays hanging out with family with a lot of grief about being single. It can be tough around married family and friends as we tend to be a “couples” society. Don’t feel down because you are by yourself. Remember, there are advantages to being single:

1. You can make last-minute plans with your friends
2. You can stay out all night if you want.
3. You can lie on both sides of your bed and have all the covers to yourself and you can stay up as late as you want.
4. You can flirt with the opposite sex without someone saying, “Who are you looking at?”
5. You can make your own decisions without conferring with a partner
6. You have no one to clean up after, unless you have a pet.
7. You can leave the toilet seat permanently up if you’re a man, or permanently down if you’re a woman.
8. You can make a list of things you always wanted to do…and actually do them without compromising whether it’s about where you are going on vacation or which club you will join.
9. You can listen to your favorite tunes in the car and in your house.
10. You control the remote.

Member photos!

2008-01-17T15:56:00.000-08:00

So one business resolution we’ve got here at Eight at Eight is to take more snapshots of our members in action. When soliciting new members, they often want to see photos. We can’t divulge exact photos of our members but we can show you a variety of shots on the web that might entice more attractive, energetic, and fun singles to join. (yikes I hate that word singles) Sounds cheesie I know but how else do we describe our target market!?

Last night while hosting a dinner in the snow no less, we had a good looking bunch that were KIND enough to let us snap a few. If anyone wants to date these specifically good looking, successful and fun folks, just send us an email and we’ll pass it along. ☺ One gentleman opted to not be photographed.

Valentine’s is approaching

2008-01-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

Wow – business has been crazy this week! Lots and lots of new applications. It is awesome and we’re signing up dozens of new members each week. Running a dating service can be challenging b/c the status of our members is constantly changing. Weekly we call members to set up dinners for them and they notify us that they are seeing someone or getting married. We’re glad to help during their single days but it is amazing how quickly their status changes.

Fan Mail

2008-01-03T15:51:00.000-08:00

These are the types of emails that we receive about once a month. They are always welcome and encouraging words to keep our office going! A nice note to start the year….You can tell from the length that it is from a gentleman member:

By the way, thanks for introducing me to Stephanie last march.
We are getting married next weekend-
You can take me off the list...