Hungry for love, Hong Kong singles pay up for Valentine’s Day speed dating events
Many prefer face-to-face meetings despite availability of free dating apps and websites
In the time of Tinder, when your next date might be just a “swipe” away, a surprising number of Hongkongers are still forking out to go on speed dates – organised social events where participants have a succession of one-on-one conversations with potential partners in a limited amount of time.
A growing gender imbalance in city means single women here are increasingly willing to spend money on the search for a special someone – potentially big business for matchmakers, who say the scene is now attracting more well-educated clients.
These clients are bringing their higher spending power to bear in their pursuit of commitment and marriage rather than just a romantic dinner or a one-night stand.
Speed daters prefer paying for “quality control” rather than trusting the profiles strangers post online. Hence, matchmakers conduct background checks on participants and screen out potential cheaters.
Meet your Valentine on a Hong Kong matchmaking run – it’s speed dating with a difference
“I prefer conversations in real life,” said Wendy So Shun-man, 23, who used Tinder for some time before giving it up. “Dating apps are rather superficial, people on the apps swipe based on looks, and it seems like the apps are for them to kill time rather than building a relationship.”
