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by Thu Huong
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| Quick entry: Participants at an express dating meeting in the capital only had three minutes to impress their dates. — VNS Photo |
"Men, you have only three minutes to impress those young and beautiful ladies." That is what Do Viet Dung was told when he joined a group of six men on an express date hosted by www.henho.com in Ha Noi for the first time on March 24.
Like Dung, many young men and women go on dates in the hope of finding lasting love.
Meeting people online and then off-line has become more popular in recent years due to the technological boom and the fast pace of modern life. It is believed that express dating not only saves time but, because first impressions really do count, can actually lead to a lifelong relationship.
"I’m far too busy with work, so when I came across this event via the website henho.com, I registered to participate without hesitation," says Dung.
Despite his eagerness, Dung had to spend few minutes getting used to this new method of match-making. Men and women are rotated so that they meet one another over a series of short "dates", lasting three minutes. At the end of each three-minute period, the organiser rings a bell and the courting couples separate and move on to the next date. Each participant writes notes about the person and fills in a questionnaire about the person he or she has just met. At the end of the event, participants write down the names of those with whom they would like to share their contact details.
"If there is a match, we will forward the contact information to both parties. The telephone number and email will only be revealed when both people have marked a "yes" by each other’s names in the list we have given them," says Bui Ngoc Lien, the event’s organiser.
Not only early birds and busy bees find express dating the answer to their lovelorn lives but shy people and those who simply want to extend their social circles as well.
Nguyen Huong Giang, an officer working for a non-governmental organisation, said despite the availability of mobile phones and the internet, nothing could beat personal contact.
"You can meet real people face to face. You can exchange ideas and learn from other people as well. A connection will be established as a result. Later on, perhaps a friendship," Giang said.
Perhaps the best thing about express dating is that the only pressure couples are put under is the pressure of time. There is also no chance of being stood up. And in just two short hours, single people can engage in light conversation with as many as 20 other like-minded individuals.
"Everyone is guaranteed to meet and interact with others with varying degrees of success. But within such a limited time period there is little to lose," Lien explains.
And to relax the couples, express daters are encouraged to take part in funny games, songs and to make friendly small talk in groups. The pressure is taken off men to court and initiate conversation because both men and women are forced to meet and interact.
However, not everyone is won over by the express dating concept.
"I don’t like the talkative guy standing over there but I was still forced to politely chat with him in the time allotted," said Tran Minh Huong, a first year student of Ha Noi University of Industry.
Despite Huong’s reservations, the time limit put on conversation ensures that no one is stuck talking to someone they don’t like for very long. Furthermore, the actually courtship process takes place at a more leisurely pace afterwards, somewhere else – a cafeteria, a karaoke bar.
Despite the novelty of speed dating and its obvious shortcomings, its popularity is growing. And this new whirlwind way of romancing has proven very successful in HCM City. As for Ha Noi, well it’s here to stay.
"We will hold regular express dating events – at least every two weeks," says Lien. "Furthermore, we plan to move our matchmaking event outdoors." — VNS
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