Tag: Featured News

Global Love Report – March 9, 2022
A review article by Pamela Stephanie

They’re looking forward to dating and flirting at the pub: “I hope that I haven’t forgotten.” Finally, it’s possible again: dating at the pub. And now that it looks like that the 1.5 meter rule will soon be dropped, flirting in real life will become a lot easier. Good news for singles, “I have especially missed the excitement.”

“Terrible,” is what Rutger de Quay (26) from Rotterdam called the walking dates that he had been limited to until recently. During the pandemic he agreed to a walk four to five times with someone from a dating app. “Walking when you don’t know someone yet is exhausting. It’s multi-tasking. You’re walking and talking at the same time, sometimes with a drink on the side, and on top of that, it’s just cold. You want to sit indoors, to be able to look him in the eye.”

Lieke (28) from Rotterdam completely agrees. “I got really tired of those walking dates at one point. You don’t get to know each other that well. In the pub, you’re more focused on each other and a drink on the side helps too. I can be quite shy sometimes. You can wash away those first nerves with a little wine and then the conversation quickly flows.”

Meeting at home on a first date is not something they’re comfortable with. Lieke: “I have the feeling that you’re sending out a signal. That men quickly assume that something more is going to happen. I did do it once. I asked his surname beforehand, I looked him up on the internet, gave my housemate his address and during the date told her that everything was OK. It feels riskier but better than walking.”

A couple of weeks ago Lieke had another first date at the pub, “Yes, finally! I thought. It is just really nice to have a drunk on a busy terrace. The fact that there are many people sitting around you creates a nice atmosphere and makes it less awkward. It was also a really nice date.”

Flirting on the dance floor

Barman Doudou Diop of Thoms op de Meent restaurant and bar is pleased to see that young couples are finding their way to the pub again. From the first day that the restaurant was open again, there was plenty of dating. “You can often tell when it’s a first date, especially if it’s a bit awkward. If they’re looking around or if there is little conversation, you know that it’s not a successful date.”

According to sources in the government, plans are in place to end the 1.5 meter rule and fixed seating in the hospitality industry by the end of this month. That would mean that Thoms’ Underground Bar could also reopen. And where better can you flirt than on the dance floor? “If you’re standing behind the bar, you don’t notice it as much, but there is a lot of flirting going on downstairs. Sometimes even with the bartender.”

Excitement

Rutger, who has a “love-hate relationship” with dating apps can’t wait to get back into the nightlife. “I’m really bad at flirting but it’s really nice to finally be able to walk up to someone and start a conversation again.” Lieke: “I especially missed the excitement: ‘is he single? Will they flirt back or not?’ I think that I’ll have to get used to it again. I hope that I haven’t forgotten how to flirt.”

Originally published by Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant

(Image source: Pexels, Chan Walrus)

Global Love Report – March 2, 2022
A review article by Pamela Stephanie

There are plenty of businesses that work alongside the wedding industry. Some of these include, travel agencies, companies that produce alcoholic drinks, insurance, as well as retail. In Japan, these companies have begun to create their own matchmaking agency, either as a completely new business or a side business. This is according to one of the largest marriage companies in Japan, IBJ.

The newest business to create their very own matchmaking agency is a hotel: the New Otani Hotel. On February 24th, the hotel announced that they will establish two new businesses, a serviced apartments and a marriage agency. This is to provide them with new sources for revenue during the pandemic.

Their new matchmaking agency called Hotel New Otani Marriage Concierge was set up in partnership with IBJ. The hotel’s management explained that the hotel receives a lot of revenue from weddings but it has since dropped in half since 2020. So, in a bid to increase the number of wedding banquets, they’ve decided to create their own matchmaking agency.

The hotel will use their lounges and restaurants as matchmaking locations. They will also provide portrait photography for matchmaking along with wedding photography. Their plan is to support clients beyond engagement, but also with proposal and family meeting.

In terms of membership, the hotel’s agency will have a strict screening process in order to ensure that quality of its members.

Originally published by CNET Japan and PR Times.

(Image source: Pexels, Andrea Piacquadio)

Global Love Report – February 23, 2022
A review article by Pamela Stephanie

Korean matchmaking companies are increasing membership fees. This is after the country saw price increases for food and drinks, as well as in the retail industry. The service industry in general is increasing its prices. So, it’s no wonder big name companies such as Duo and Noblesse are increasing its fees.

According to sources, one of the biggest matchmaking companies in South Korea, Duo, will be increasing its fees by 500,000 won (around US$417) by the 1st of March 2022.

Noblesse has already increased the membership fees of their male clients. It increased from 3.3 million won (around US$2757) to 3.85 million won (around US$3216). And another matchmaking company also raised their price by about 500,000 won.

Duo is reported to be pushing out a new marketing campaign to obtain new members, at the same time announcing about their current price increase.

Sources in the South Korean matchmaking industry noted that a combination of factors have led to the increase in fees, including: inflation and labor costs.

Originally published by The Financial News.

(Image source: Unsplash, Kevin Turcios)

Global Love Report – February 16, 2022
A review article by Pamela Stephanie

IBJ Group, Japan’s largest network of matchmaking agencies, recently announced that they broke a new record. 10,402 couples who met through their agencies were married in 2021. And this amounts to 2% of the total number of marriages in Japan in 2021.

Thanks to its network of more than 3,000 agencies nation-wide and the trend of people preferring to use matchmaking agencies in order to find a spouse, the IBJ group was able to achieve the feat of marrying 20,804 people.

This is also in line with one of IBJ’s aim, which is to help solve the declining birthrate in Japan.

The company also stated that they have set a goal of being responsible for 5% of all marriages in Japan by 2027 and seeks to help create as many relationships as possible.

Originally published by PR Times.

(Image source: Pexels, Goran Vrakela)

Global Love Report – February 16, 2022
A review article by Pamela Stephanie

A young person who won’t look at you when he’s talking with you or who’s scared to call someone. Gemma van Grinsven knows: a young person like that won’t be able to get into a relationship easily. And with all the restrictions due to Covid, it has become a lot more difficult: “Three out of ten young people suffer from psychological problems. And that’s a conservative estimate.” That’s why she established a matchmaking agency in Tilburg.

Gemma effortlessly sums up what many young people struggle with: fear, being chaotic, low self-esteem, and fear of failure. And she immediately clears up a few misunderstandings: this has nothing to do with being stupid or smart and it has nothing to do with looks either: “Come and have a look at us, you won’t see anything. All are normal, nice young people.”

Gemma has been committed to helping young people with problems for fourteen years. The fact that she has started a matchmaking agency has everything to do with Covid: “They don’t have their regular connections at work or at school. As a result, they have lost their support system and are left to fend for themselves.”

Gemma knows that communicating through a video connection is difficult: “Because they don’t want to see themselves on camera. You see it when a class is supposed to meet online. We would like everyone to get the chance to build long-lasting friendships or relationships.”

Gemma works together with psychologist Renske Castricum. They do the intakes in Nijmegen and Tilburg, first covering the provinces of Gelderland and Brabant. Wednesday they will start with the intakes: “Many healthcare institutions around us who know that this is going to start tell us: this could get out of control. I hope not, of course, but it would be fantastic if we could help hundreds of young people.”

If it goes out of hand Gemma has trained volunteers on hand to help out. Registration can be done from Wednesday on the website. Following that is a intake in Tilburg or Nijmegen and if you would like help, you pay 45 Euros if you’re on benefits, otherwise it’s 90 Euros.

The Oranjefons (a Dutch charity) is supporting the initiative. “We don’t put any photographs on the website because we know how sensitive that is for young people who are afraid of failure. We will see for ourselves who can be a match and we will bring those people into contact with each other. And we’ll continue to follow that process.”

Additionally, there will be activities. At first in Nijmegen and later also in Tilburg. “Walking together, cooking or going to the museum? What we will be doing, the group will decide for themselves. You are never alone, there are always supervisors with you. I would find it fantastic if we have helped 25 couples by the end of the year.”

Originally published by Omroep Brabant.

(Image source: Unsplash, Randy Kinne)

Global Love Report – February 9, 2022
A review article by Pamela Stephanie

The Ministry of Religion in Solo, Indonesia has re-started their matchmaking agency, Jadikan Aku Halalmu (Translation: “Make me be your halal”) for two weeks now. This matchmaking program is a continuation to a similar program that they released in September 2021.

The Head of Solo’s Ministry of Religion, Hidayat Masykur, stated that the re-opening of the agency’s matchmaking program is due to the fact that there were a lot of interests in the first stage.

“For the first stage, we were able to marry seven couples, and it’s possible there are some who are currently in the process [of marrying].”

Hidayat explained that the total of registrants for the first stage of the matchmaking agency’s opening reached around 500 people. They then went through a selection and verification process. About 380 of the 500 were eligible for the program. “We are still observing and giving pre-marital guidance to all of the verified registrants,” he explained.

Hidayat mentioned that the program not only facilitated those who wanted to find a partner but also to give pre-marital guidance.

According to data that he obtained, the number of divorces in Solo city is quite high. And the average marriage last under 10 years. Pre-marital guidance is expected to provide education regarding how to move forward within a marriage.

“The process from the getting to know stage until marriage is long. We are still giving them guidance until now. They can also have a consultation,” he explained.

Originally published in Solo Pos.

(Image source: Pexels, Danu Hidayatur)

Global Love Report – February 2, 2022
A review article by Pamela Stephanie

Chatting with someone for hours on a dating app only to find out that he’s after something else , has a fake profile or suddenly doesn’t react anymore. Daisy van Tussenbroek was fed up with it all. That’s why she created her own offline dating alternative where you don’t chat with each other but write letters. “It’s super romantic.”

Daisy couldn’t find what she was searching for: a fun, original way to find a long-term partner. That’s why the 35-year-old woman from Rotterdam decided to take matters into her own hands.

Lasting Relationship

She founded Wooing, a platform where people who are looking for a “lasting relationship” can register. They have to write a letter to their upcoming date at the beginning. “You purchase a physical box. The inside contains paper, an envelope, and a booklet with tips and tricks on how to write a good letter,” explained Daisy to EditieNL.

Candidates also answer a list of questions so it’s clear what they’re looking for. Then it’s on Daisy to make good matches. Candidates receive mail in the letterbox twice per month. “Per round there are two to five letters from people of whom I think, this really be something.” Pictures will also be sent along.

First Meeting

Then the candidates can indicate if they’ve received a letter from someone that they would like to get to know. If both sides says “go”, then Daisy plans the first meeting: “a meet cute”, as she calls it. “I try to choose a unique place that is related to their interests. Maybe it’s their favorite bookstore in Rotterdam, for example. At the moment I’m planning these meet cutes outside due to Covid.”

Matching

Daisy does not have a background in matchmaking. “I studied (web)design, so something completely different. But I do the matching process together with relationship therapists and sexologists. I do everything else by myself, although that’s hardly possible anymore.” There are now almost 100 registrations.
Anyone 18 and above is welcome at Wooing, regardless of sexuality or where they live. “The dates are taking place in 32 of the biggest municipalities in the Netherlands. Basically, they’re easily accessible from all corner of the country.”

Romance

But is letter writing still relevant today? “Well, maybe not. But I really want to bring it back. I feel that with a letter you get closer to the heart of the matter. You take the time for it and sit on the coach with a blanket and a cup of coffee to read it. It’s tangible and also super romantic.”

Seed Paper

If the match turns out to be a success and the two decide to move forward, they can get to work too. The letters are printed on seed paper, which is made from recycled material. If you plant it in the soil, a plant can grow out of it under the right conditions. “So you can see together if something beautiful comes out of your letter.”

Daisy has not yet managed to find a partner for herself. “I’m still single,” she says. “I’m not going along with this concept. I find the matching fun but for myself, I’m not so concerned with it. And no, I can’t keep the good candidates for myself. I’m very honest with it. I take Wooing very seriously.”

Originally published by RTL Nieuws

(Image source: Pexels, Karolina Grabowska)

Global Love Report – January 26, 2022
A review article by Pamela Stephanie

Saint-Malo Rencontre may seem like an ordinary matchmaking agency at first glance. However, this agency is a former conductor’s matchmaking agency. Yves Rivier established his business in the city of Saint-Malo, France.

While matchmakers tend to come from all walks of life, Rivier’s background is particularly unique. As we previously mentioned, he used to be a conductor for an orchestra. Specifically for events that were shown on the French channel TF1.

Rivier started out as a trumpeter before he became a conductor. He has performed in France and abroad. He estimates that he has been in at least 10,000 concerts.

Unfortunately, he was forced to give up his career due to a fractured spine.

However, he mentioned that it was a blessing of a sort. He had grown tired of the traveling. And he was unable to communicate with people around him because they spoke different languages.

But how exactly did he go from a career in the arts to the offline dating industry? It was thanks to a matchmaking agency. Initially, he tried out dating sites after his divorce. But after years of no luck, he decided to try his luck with a matchmaking agency. And it was through the agency that he found met his “true love”. It also led to his new career.

He has a diverse client base, from 30 to 80 years old and with different sexualities. His clients who are over 60 are mainly women. However, the clients in the younger age range are mostly men.

In terms of pricing, each member pays between 150 and 200 euros every month, with a minimum contract of 6 months. Rivier mentions that 95% of his agency’s clients find a match within 18 months.

Originally published by Actu.Fr

(Image source: Pexels, Nappy)

Global Love Report – January 26, 2022
A review article by Pamela Stephanie

The pandemic has forced many companies to change the way they run their company. This is also the case for one Japanese matchmaking company that specializes in international matchmaking. Their clients are Japanese men living in Japan and women in China.

Due to travel restrictions that has to do with Covid protocols, the company was forced to make some changes. One of them includes a vehicle that have a communication terminal which consists of a tablet where their male clients can make video calls. The space inside the vehicle is sound-proof so clients’ voices won’t leak and their privacy remains protected. It’s essentially matchmaking on wheels.

The company’s president, Yuya Takizawa, is ethnically Chinese but has been a naturalized Japanese citizen since 2006. Their main client base are single men in the Kanto and Chukyo areas. Whereas their female clients come from the Harbin area in northeastern China—places where there are people who are pro-Japanese.

The agency typically sees 30 marriages per year and the cost for male clients are around 3 million yen (around US$26,300), travel expenses included. But because of travel restrictions and quarantine rules, the company was forced to suspend operations for about a year and a half—until August 2021.

That was when they decided to use a tablet with high-definition display and a large screen for the men to be able to communicate with the women. This was because the men don’t wish to show the interior of their house, especially for their first meeting. And due to travel restrictions, they are unable to go to the company’s office. That’s why the agency’s dedicated vehicle became the solution.

Originally published by Shinano Mainichi Shinbun.

(Image source: Pexels, Ngeow Shen Sin)