Xu said that companies
sponsoring the group dates were aiming at potential customers for their
products and services.
Wu Xiuping, former
vice-chairman of the women's federation, said more than 300 couples have tied
the knot since the federation began to organize such activities three years
ago.
The great popularity of
group dating is no surprise since there are nearly 1 million single, young and
available urban residents in Beijing and Shanghai, most of whom are
well-educated, white-collar workers.
Frequently working
overtime under pressure has isolated young people in the metropolises, leaving
them no time to make friends and communicate with the world outside their
companies," Wu said.
In the activity Hu took
part in, participants were divided into 41 teams. In each team, everyone had
one minute to stand up and introduce themselves to the others, and some of them
were asked to sing a song or tell a story to break the ice. Then all 700 people
could ask for a phone number from whomever they fancied. Hu had three requests.
Hu hadn't yet decided
who her Mr. Right was, but she said her ideal other half is a man who's
not afraid to share his feelings with her.
Another female
participant was less fortunate than Hu.
Ren Qun, a 28-year-old
civil servant, who holds a master's degree in business administration, had quit
early because she wasn't interested in the men at her table. Nevertheless, Ren
believes the activity is a "good and safe way to make friends,"
compared with gatherings arranged by some private dating agencies.
Ren had tried some
"private dating clubs" where dozens of singles meet each weekend to
discuss certain topics together.
"People can get a
clearer impression of each other at those clubs," Ren said. "However,
it's not easy to know the real background of the participants."
That's also why she
doesn't want to look for a boyfriend on the Internet.
Ren said she trusted the
activities organized by institutions like the women's federation as the
organizers check the participants' resumes with their ID card numbers and other
documents to verify their identities and backgrounds.
"I'll ask my single
female friends to come together next time," Ren said.
Wu Xiuping said it seems
group dating is especially popular with women.
"Women have to
study and work harder to succeed in society; therefore, many girls have missed
the best time for husband hunting," Wu said, adding that about 60 percent
of the registered members of the organization's dating activities were female.
A survey of 4,000 single
middle class women found 57 percent hoped to marry before 30, and only 5
percent preferred to stay single. Two-thirds cited difficulties of finding an
appropriate man, and most said they felt lonely.
Hu said she often feels
bored during the weekends when there is nothing to do but watch TV or surf the
Internet at home.
"I'm afraid I'll
forget how to talk to people if I do that much more," Hu said, forcing a
smile.
Although not optimistic
about its success rate, she expects group dating to breathe fresh air into her
life.
"At least,"
she said, "I can make some female friends who are like me."
