Lisa Loeb reviews the latest dating crazes

'Cuddle Parties'
How does it work? The latest craze sweeping the US is the Cuddle Party, dreamed up by New York hippy guru Reid Mihalko. Groups of grown men and women don their pyjamas and spend an evening locked in non-passionate embraces or group hugs. If things get out of hand, a certified 'cuddle lifeguard' is on duty to bring things back under control. The craze has swept America since the first official party took place three months ago and looks set to hit Britain soon. Sex coach Reid, 36, describes his invention as 'affectionate play events for adults' where they can 'explore and enjoy touch, nurturing and communication'
Lisa says: I have heard of these parties and I know friends that have been to them. The thought of sitting around in pyjamas making conversation and having a 'cuddle lifeguard' watching is just too much for me though!
More information: www.cuddleparty.com

'Romance on the Rails'
How does it work' Think your everyday commute is just about getting from here to there? That may soon change thanks to Caltrain, a California commuter train that recently embarked on its maiden 'Romance on the Rails' voyage - a special section filled with singles raring to mingle and make sparks fly. Passengers are given a list of questions to ask people and are asked to switch seats every three minutes and make the rounds, speed-dating style. 'I think the way they went about it, where everybody had an opportunity to meet each other, was great,' says Dan O'Leary, a realtor from San Francisco who participated. 'It's always tough to meet new people.' Sceptics to the possibility of finding love on a train have only to meet Bill Laubenheimer and Carole Parker, who met on a Caltrain bike car and then got married five years ago.
Lisa says: Unfortunately I wasn't travelling anywhere by train so I didn't get to try this out. It sounds kind of fun - like speed-dating on the move! Speed-dating is huge in the US, a dating concept that helps you meet a number of people in a short space of time and then pick the ones you want to date. They say you can fall in love at first sight so you never know!
More information: www.msn.match.com

'The New Valentine's trend'
How does it work? If satin-covered boxes of chocolate, cards with dancing teddy bears and candlelit dinners aren't your thing, rejoice: There are now less sentimental ways to observe Valentine's Day, for couples and singles alike. Meet the Black Hearts Party (Blackheartsparty.com) - an annual New York event where around 500 sceptics dating cynics gather at a warehouse, clad in black, to drink black drinks, eat black wedding cake, play raunchy games, and write their most memorable love-gone-wrong stories on a big blackboard. 'For some people it's a hook-up party, for others it's a way to vent,' says Marc Leonard, who threw his first soiree 16 years ago in his college apartment. While couples are welcome (and strongly encouraged to spend the evening mingling rather than staying attached at the hip), singles make up the bulk of the guests. 'We've actually had a lot of couples meet at Black Hearts party, and one marriage that we know of,' adds Leonard.
Lisa says: I have never attended a Black Heart Party - it sounds slightly depressing - but I think getting together with other singles on Valentine's Day and having dinner or going to a party is a great idea. There is so much pressure around the 14th, so if you are single lighten it up and have fun with friends anyway, you never know who you might meet!
More information: www.blackheartsparty.com

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