Chinas Latest Dating Obsession is Livestreamed Blind Dates
Contributed by: kellyseal on Friday, June 28 2024 @ 03:44 pm
Last modified on Friday, June 28 2024 @ 03:59 pm
Young singles in China are taking to social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (also known as RED) to participate in livestreamed blind dates.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Network (ABC), livestream dating is “romantically themed video conference calls” where up to nine people can join a so-called “dating room” and talk with each other. But instead of a closed and private Zoom call, it is open to the public for any number of people to watch.
The concept is similar to a game show, where the participants give a little background on themselves and are often asked to “demonstrate a talent,” according to ABC[*1] . The participants have to be willing to make an effort to represent and “market” themselves, whether it’s through a talent or charm or other ability.
A host acts as moderator of the conversation, and once two people express interest in one another, the moderator becomes the matchmaker.
ABC notes that participants aren’t shy about sharing when they like someone, and if audience members feel two people are a match, they are allowed to comment and encourage matching as well.
According to ABC, Lin Zijuan, a young woman who has participated in livestream dating a number of times, finds it’s an easy way to meet people, because they strike up casual chats instead of having forced conversation.
"Compared to awkwardly throwing out topics of conversation to drive the relationship up a notch on a date, a live online dating room is easier and fun," Ms Lin told the ABC.
Compared to previous generations, young daters in China spend most of their time on phones instead of at parties or socializing in person, which was compounded by Covid. As a result, many are more comfortable interacting online. And when you can livestream your date, you can attract a number of people instead of focusing on one, as you would an in-person date.
"I feel more comfortable making friends through live streaming,” Lin told ABC. “Especially compared to a real-life blind date where everyone is very serious and purpose-driven."
Another livestream dater said that he prefers this kind of romantic interaction compared to messaging and swiping on dating apps.
"Dating apps usually only allow you to see photos, or some short videos, which is completely different from me actually seeing a person talking in a live-streaming channel," he said.
Some experts see it as a generational shift and departure from traditional methods of Chinese matchmaking. Xu Hao, from the School of Culture and Communication at the University of Melbourne, said many young Chinese people experienced anxiety when dating, and that a livestream option felt more “convenient and comfortable.”