CHINA: Mass speed dating event at Hong Kong amusement park hopes to bring together singles on "Double Valentine's"

Record ID: 845784

  • Title: CHINA: Mass speed dating event at Hong Kong amusement park hopes to bring together singles on "Double Valentine's"
  • Date: 14th February 2014
  • Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (FEBRUARY 14, 2014) (REUTERS) MASS SPEED DATING PARTICIPANTS POSING FOR GROUP PHOTO MALE PARTICIPANTS FEMALE PARTICIPANTS CABLE CARS VARIOUS OF FEMALE PARTICIPANTS CHATTING PARTICIPANTS WALKING NEXT TO ROLLER COASTER VARIOUS OF ELLA IP (LEFT, IN BLUE SCARF), SPEED DATING PARTICIPANT, SITTING ON RIDE NEXT TO FEMALE PARTICIPANT IN FRONT OF MALE PARTICIPANT
  • Embargoed: 1st March 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • City:
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Quirky,People,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA578R2TLOSTEP1MZ3IKZ4V72V0
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Nearly one hundred singles joined a mass speed dating event at a Hong Kong amusement park in hopes of finding their other half on Valentine's Day on Friday (February 14).
    This year, the day is also known as "Double Valentine's" in the Chinese-speaking world because it coincides with Lantern Festival, or Chinese Valentine's Day, according to the traditional Chinese calendar.
    The "HK Love Hub" speed dating event attracted over 2,000 applicants, according to organizers.
    The 96 people were assigned into groups and were asked to take part in activities together to earn points, but in some cases the men and women tended to hang out with their friends or people of the same sex.
    Ella Ip, a participant in her early 30s, said she sat next to a girl during her turn for rides because Hong Kong men are shy.
    "(I sat next to a girl) because no guys took the initiative to sit next to me. I've met a lot of male and female friends in today's event, but I think Hong Kong men tend to be shy and passive," Ip said.
    Inside the park's panda compound, the men and women appeared more relaxed as they looked at pandas chomping bamboo leaves and answered questions about the animal.
    James Ng, a 27-year-old participant who said he was thinking about starting his own speed dating business, said the large-scale event was more fun than speed dating meetings or dinners.
    "I think the pros outweigh the cons. Ultimately it gives men and women a chance to get to know each other. At the same time, you want people to know you too. This is such a huge event, so apart from meeting people, you can also take rides and do other things. It's a rather comprehensive event," Ng said.
    Frankie Wong, organizer of the event and founder of speed dating company 'SD Fever', said about 80 percent of the applicants were female.
    "The demand is getting higher and higher", he explained.
    "The ratio of girls and boys are so imbalanced. Many, many girls in Hong Kong. So there are many, many new speed dating businesses set up in Hong Kong," Wong said.
    To his knowledge, the city is home to at least 30 speed dating companies, and the number is growing since he started his own three years ago.
    The participants were asked to pay a HK$300 (US$39) deposit when they applied for a spot. The money would be refunded if they showed up at the event.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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