The advent of the Internet made meeting people from around the world just a few clicks away on a mouse. The problem is, it’s also easy to meet people who aren’t honest about themselves.
Enter dating services.
Unlike 10 or 20 years ago, such services no longer come with a stigma attached. People have become so busy that it’s nice to have someone else narrow the playing field.
“These days people outsource every area of their lives,” said Jacquie Brownridge, owner of It’s Just Lunch Vancouver. People have personal trainers and chefs and lifestyle coaches. “Dating is no different.”
Her clients tend to be professionals who work 50 to 60 hours a week. Many travel and are active in sports and volunteer work.
“When do they have time to meet somebody?”
It’s Just Lunch makes matches and sets up lunch dates. They’ll also take copies of clients’ driver’s licences and make sure they work where they say they do.
Dinnerworks.ca has a similar policy. In their case, the matchmaking strategy is more casual and less targeted.
They organize events, such as dinners, where an equal number of single men and women in the same age group can meet and socialize.
And for those who want the face-to-face interaction with the volume of matches offered by the Internet, there’s speed dating.
At such events, organized by companies such as the Rendezvous Club, each “date” lasts five minutes. Each person marks a card with those they’d be interested in seeing again. If—and only if—the feeling is mutual the company hooks them up.
~Burnaby Newsleader
