Speed-dating events for skinny people exist -- and journalist Rachel Rabbit White attended one undercover.
In April, White went to one of On Speed Dating's "Skinny Minny" events, a function that the organization has sponsored at least twice. Those invited to participate include women size 8 or under -- and men of every size. Even worse, women who take part in the event have to display their dress size on their name label. Very classy.
In the description of a Skinny Minny event held last May, On Speed Dating assured readers that women's sizes would be policed: "Guys, no need to worry about meeting a biggie-size chick 'down-sizing' to an 8 like when you're dating on-line. We'll be checking labels at the door!"
Furthermore, in case would-be attendees were feeling any hint of guilt for specifying which sizes their dates should be, On Speed Dating claimed that everyone has dating "dealbreakers" and these things "[do] not make us shallow, we’re just single New Yorkers that know what we want and are attracted to."
OK then.
White wrote about her experiences at this year's "Skinny Minny" gathering for Thought Catalog. She described the location as a typical bar with "dingy dark wood, red walls" and sports games on TV.
According to White, the men at the event were not particularly articulate about what their qualities were, or why they were looking for a woman of a specific size.
"[Y]ou didn’t have to meet any requirements to come here, so what value are you bringing to this exchange?” she asked one potential suitor. He was unable to answer the question. She followed up with “Why do you feel you should be with a woman who takes special care of her body?”
His answer? “Because I take good care of my brain.”
Next.