Global Love Report – March 5th, 2025
English summary by Margaret W
At Bergweg Station in Rotterdam, Netherlands, fifty decorated tables and two bingo machines – one for men and one for women – set the stage for Ballenbingo speed dating. This creative approach to meeting potential partners was organized by Renée van den Elsen (33).
Renée had initially started with an Instagram account, sharing quotes about youth culture in the Randstad region. Her account evolved when followers requested help reconnecting with people they had met but lost touch with. With 131,000 followers, she began facilitating in-person meetings.
The event attracted many young participants, mostly between 25 and 35 years old. The Ballenbingo speed dating maintained a perfect balance with 50 men and 50 women.
During the speed dating event, women remained at their assigned table numbers while men rotated between tables based on randomly drawn bingo balls. This setup ensured that conversations began without appearance-based prejudices. Each mini-date lasted three minutes before partners switched.
As the evening progressed, participants became more comfortable. During breaks, people mingled freely, with some even buying drinks for their new acquaintances. Throughout the night, participants shared stories and exchanged contact information, indicating promising connections were being formed.
Originally published by: Rijnmond
