Where can I get practice and unbiased feedback on making a good
impression during first dates and speed dating?  I'm looking for a
place that will set up trial dates or intial meetings, and render
unbiased opinions and helpful hints.  Or perhaps even videotaped
practice dates.

---

Clarification of Question by ranier-ga on 01 Sep 2003 23:37 PDT

Clairification: this could be in any north american city, but those
within easy reach of San Francisco are preferred.

Hi ranier,

What you are looking for is a "dating coach."  These are people who
provide workshops, private classes, support, and practice for people
who want to improve their dating techniques or for people who are a
little nervous about getting back into dating after years of a
monogamous relationship.

I found that there seem to be two kinds of Dating Coaches. One is a
service like I've described above. The other is more of a match-making
service. I didn't include those that only fix you up with dates as
they don't provide the coaching feedback you've asked for.

You'll also notice that styles and focus vary widely. These coaches
range from well-known authors and television personalities, to staff
of non-profit organizations. Some provide "practice dating" services.
Other provide before-and-after date coaching. I've included the entire
range so you can select what feels most comfortable to you.


Here is a list of Dating Coaches and services (most near you):  

---------------

Fran Compagno
Dating Coach
480 Lytton Avenue, Suite #1
Palo Alto, CA 
t. 650.740.2129
f. 650.322.2302
e. fran@thefranplan.com
www.thefranplan.com

--------------------

Liz H. Kelly
PO Box 252085
Los Angeles, CA 90025
liz@smartmanhunting.com
310-795-1485

SMART MAN HUNTING
http://www.smartmanhunting.com/index.htm


--------------------

The Social Fitness Center (a non-profit organization)
http://www.socialfitness.com/

2000 Williams St., Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA

DATING COACHING 
Individual sessions with a dating coach 
Sessions can be held by phone or on site
----------------------------

Single Directions 
http://www.couplescompany.com/Advice/Whaling/dating_group.htm

215 N. Marengo Ave., Third Floor 
Pasadena, CA 91101 
(626) 564-0480 
seladorcenter@hotmail.com

" Six men and six women meet every other week over a twelve-week
period with Andrew Whaling, a Marriage and Family Therapist and
singles specialist. Between meetings you go on a practice date with
one of the other members of the group."


---------------------------

SECOND DATES
http://www.seconddates.com/index.htm

Licensed psychologists, counseling, date coaching.

San Francisco bay area

----------------------


The Center for Harmony
e.  Douglas T. Landis
phone toll free:
1-877-COACH31
or 415-921-5773
address: 
2335 Pacific Ave #104, SF, CA 94115 
http://www.centerforharmony.org/Content/DateCoaching.htm


--------------------

John Fergus
Singles researcher, lecturer and dating coach
http://www.fix.net/~dogmag/john/home.html

(Los Angeles area)


--------------

PATTI FEINSTEIN  

For appointments:
email me at Patti@PattiFeinstein.com 
or  call :312.243.5114

AMERICA'S DATING COACH
http://www.pattifeinstein.com/


NY but does classes across the country – see schedule:
http://www.pattifeinstein.com/patti_appear.htm

---------------

Elite Connections
http://www.eliteconnections.com/

Renee Piane - private coaching sessions 
http://www.eliteconnections.com/linksof.htm#RENEE%20PIANI
 
Beverly Hills, Redondo Beach and Westlake

-----------------------


If you're interested in traveling, this was (to me anyway) the most
perfect service I found – unfortunately, it's in Toronto –

THE DATING COACH – DATING PRACTICE
http://datingcoach.ca/practice.htm


------------------------


Hope that helps you out. If you need more resources, use my search
terms below and combine them with the names of other cities near you.

Thank you for your question. If anything I've said isn't clear, or if
any of the links don't work, feel free to ask for clarification.

-K~

search terms – all combined with San Francisco or California :

"practice dating" 
"practice date"
"dating practice"
"dating coach"

I'm familiar with dating coaches.  They are people who instruct and
talk about dating.  All the feedback they give, though, is based upon
what I, the dater, tell them.  There's no feedback from the other
party on the date.

However, you did uncover two places that do provide this feedback. 
The Shyness Clinic occasionally does videotaped "meeting people at a
party" practice, and I was aware of that.  But I sure didn't know
about datingcoach.ca, which does practice dates.  That seems like a
great resource, and exactly what I'm interested in.  Thanks!