Single in Hong Kong? Let your friends make your case to roomful of strangers

In an upper-floor restaurant in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay district, a group of more than 30 people bursts into laughter and applause over dinner as they watch a slide show.

Among those presenting is technology entrepreneur Olivia Chan Yuen-ue, who is proudly pitching to a crowd of strangers why they should date her friend Nicolas Tam.

“He is tall and has a good relationship with his family … He holds the highest standard among men!” she says as her friend’s photo appears on a slide.

All eyes turn to 26-year-old wildlife consultant Tam, who is sitting in the audience, cheering as they approve of the playful pitch.

Tam laughs off the praise, and says: “Being described by a friend is more attractive than your usual self-introductions.”

Chan, who is also a comedian, is the organiser of Hong Kong’s Pitch-A-Friend event, where participants get five minutes to make a case on a friend’s behalf.