Blind-date social attracts romance-seekers
April 30, 2011, Saturday
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GAO Weifeng, 31, put on his most engaging smile and politely introduced himself to every woman he met at a recent matchmaking event in Minhang.
Gao was among the 180 single people who participated in a free mass blind date organized by the Women's Federation of Minhang. The 83 men and 97 women, the majority of whom work in Minhang, all showed up with dreams of finding Mr. or Miss Right.
Balloons, flowers and pink ribbons festooned the usually solemn conference hall of the Minhang District government for the event.
"I came partly under pressure from my family and partly because of my age," said Gao, a native of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region who came to Shanghai in 1999 and now works at the Xinzhuang Industrial Zone.
Gao admitted that he was at an age when he ought to be thinking about marriage, but he said his time is consumed by work and a pretty full exercise regime.
The function featured a series of games, many composed of teams of two, aimed at getting people to relax and mix. Tables were set up for six, and men who were required to change seats at intervals to ensure that everyone met the widest number of people.
Zhan Wei, a 25-year-old girl who works at a Minhang-based hospital, said she came because she's lonely.
"I hope to broaden my social circle, which I blame for my single status," she said.
It was the first time Zhan said she had ever participated in such an event. She said she didn't care for the one-minute "speed dating" that was part of the function.
"One minute is too short, and sometimes we barely have time to introduce ourselves," she said. "I can hardly remember the men's faces or information about them because they are too many. When all the rounds ended, I had a profound sense of relief."
Aside from similar complaints about the event format being too rushed and people not having enough time to engage in longer conversations, most of the participants were satisfied with the social function.
Gao said he met one girl that he was interested in, but during the team segment when she was his partner in one game, he found the girl lacked initiative that cost them a first price. Oh well, there are always others, he said.
A 27-year-old Shanghai man who works at the Hongkou District Finance Bureau said his aunt who lives in Qibao in Minhang registered him in the event. He declined to be identified.
"She got the information from Minhang Weekly and asked me to participate," he said, noting that his aunt is concerned about his single status.
This young man was quite obviously popular at the event, no doubt because of his good looks and what is considered a stable public servant's job. At least three girls came up and exchanged contacts with him when the 4-hour party was approaching its end.
"I will contact some of them to see if we have anything common," he said.
Staff of the Women's Federation of Minhang spent about three months preparing the event.
The federation said migrants and other workers contribute much to the development of the district, and many are so wrapped up making a living that they don't have time to socialize.
It's a civic responsibility to help those interested in marriage get out and mix with the opposite sex in casual settings that can lead to harmonious relationships, said Zhang Ming, a senior organizer of the event.
The federation received 750 applications to attend the event, 494 from women or their relatives or friends. A majority of applicants were aged between 26 and 29, and about a third were over 30.
"We had to host a lucky draw to winnow the number of applications down to what we could handle," said Zhang. "We plan to host another one soon for those who missed out."
It was the first time for the federation to stage such an event. And the matchmaking efforts don't end there.
A two-day tour to Tianmu Lake in Zhejiang Province will take place on May 14 and 15. Singles who attend will be charged a fee of 498 yuan (US$73) to cover costs.
Zhang said the federation has also set up a QQ instant-messaging group to help singles get in touch.
The blind dating event even attracted an older couple eager to find a bride for their 44-year-old son, who has a good job with Shenzhen Development Bank but doesn't seem inclined to get married.
"We won't tell him that we were here scouting prospects," his father confided.
Gao was among the 180 single people who participated in a free mass blind date organized by the Women's Federation of Minhang. The 83 men and 97 women, the majority of whom work in Minhang, all showed up with dreams of finding Mr. or Miss Right.
Balloons, flowers and pink ribbons festooned the usually solemn conference hall of the Minhang District government for the event.
"I came partly under pressure from my family and partly because of my age," said Gao, a native of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region who came to Shanghai in 1999 and now works at the Xinzhuang Industrial Zone.
Gao admitted that he was at an age when he ought to be thinking about marriage, but he said his time is consumed by work and a pretty full exercise regime.
The function featured a series of games, many composed of teams of two, aimed at getting people to relax and mix. Tables were set up for six, and men who were required to change seats at intervals to ensure that everyone met the widest number of people.
Zhan Wei, a 25-year-old girl who works at a Minhang-based hospital, said she came because she's lonely.
"I hope to broaden my social circle, which I blame for my single status," she said.
It was the first time Zhan said she had ever participated in such an event. She said she didn't care for the one-minute "speed dating" that was part of the function.
"One minute is too short, and sometimes we barely have time to introduce ourselves," she said. "I can hardly remember the men's faces or information about them because they are too many. When all the rounds ended, I had a profound sense of relief."
Aside from similar complaints about the event format being too rushed and people not having enough time to engage in longer conversations, most of the participants were satisfied with the social function.
Gao said he met one girl that he was interested in, but during the team segment when she was his partner in one game, he found the girl lacked initiative that cost them a first price. Oh well, there are always others, he said.
A 27-year-old Shanghai man who works at the Hongkou District Finance Bureau said his aunt who lives in Qibao in Minhang registered him in the event. He declined to be identified.
"She got the information from Minhang Weekly and asked me to participate," he said, noting that his aunt is concerned about his single status.
This young man was quite obviously popular at the event, no doubt because of his good looks and what is considered a stable public servant's job. At least three girls came up and exchanged contacts with him when the 4-hour party was approaching its end.
"I will contact some of them to see if we have anything common," he said.
Staff of the Women's Federation of Minhang spent about three months preparing the event.
The federation said migrants and other workers contribute much to the development of the district, and many are so wrapped up making a living that they don't have time to socialize.
It's a civic responsibility to help those interested in marriage get out and mix with the opposite sex in casual settings that can lead to harmonious relationships, said Zhang Ming, a senior organizer of the event.
The federation received 750 applications to attend the event, 494 from women or their relatives or friends. A majority of applicants were aged between 26 and 29, and about a third were over 30.
"We had to host a lucky draw to winnow the number of applications down to what we could handle," said Zhang. "We plan to host another one soon for those who missed out."
It was the first time for the federation to stage such an event. And the matchmaking efforts don't end there.
A two-day tour to Tianmu Lake in Zhejiang Province will take place on May 14 and 15. Singles who attend will be charged a fee of 498 yuan (US$73) to cover costs.
Zhang said the federation has also set up a QQ instant-messaging group to help singles get in touch.
The blind dating event even attracted an older couple eager to find a bride for their 44-year-old son, who has a good job with Shenzhen Development Bank but doesn't seem inclined to get married.
"We won't tell him that we were here scouting prospects," his father confided.
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