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They cheered and whooped as, one by one, strangers gave PowerPoint presentations on why their best friends were partner-worthy, encouraging audience membe
'Authentic connections': As more singles shun dating apps, some seek partners at 'real life' meet-up events, communities. Participants at a singles mingle party held at the Middle Child Wine Bar on Aug 6, 2024. Eunice Sng.

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SINGAPORE — A crowd of young people gathered at a roadside bar on a Tuesday night. They cheered and whooped as, one by one, strangers gave PowerPoint presentations on why their best friends were partner-worthy, encouraging audience members to perhaps ask these singles out for a date. “She is very loyal,” Ms Dinie Aryal said. The public relations executive's best friend Alicia Tan stood on stage while fiddling with her hair and looking embarrassed, but likely pleased at Ms Dinie's praise. The two 28-year-olds were taking part in a singles mixer party called Meet Me in the Middle". After watching Ms Tan flounder in her attempts at finding love through dating applications over the years, Ms Dinie decided to attend the event with Ms Tan. More singles in Singapore are searching for ways to mingle by attending unique in-person events and interest groups. TODAY has reported that a small but growing number of singles have decided to stop looking for romance because they are dissatisfied with what some call a "bleak" dating scene. However, among those who are still hopeful, many are putting themselves out there in different ways. As people grow tired of dating apps after the Covid-19 pandemic, social events such as "Meet Me in the Middle" offer alternative and fun methods of forging new connections outside of the digital space. Signing up to have dinner with strangers, travelling to new destinations and joining running clubs are other avenues that people are exploring to expand their social circles. Ms Theresa Pong, a relationship counsellor, said: “Many are now seeking deeper and more authentic connections. "The fatigue from endless swiping, the impersonal nature of online interactions, and the desire for experiential interactions have led them to reconsider their approach to dating.” DATING APP FATIGUE. Singles who spoke to TODAY echoed this sentiment, sharing their less-than-ideal experiences with online dating. Ms Tan, an advertising executive, is frustrated by superficial profiles on dating apps that reveal little about the other person’s personality. “Everybody’s, like, ‘Oh, I like cats. I will be a very good paw parent to your dog’. It’s so shallow.” She added that it is hard to deliver certain emotions over text, and that she has a dry sense of humour better conveyed in real life. Mr Sherman Lim, 25, a marketing executive, said that the apps create a culture where people date based solely on first impressions and looks. “And then if you spot even the slightest flaw in that person during the date, you or the other person just calls it quits after the first day, and then it’s over. “So that’s the core of dating apps. It mostly just provides a one-time hit and then 'zao' kind of thing.” “Zao” is a colloquial term that means “run away” or “leave” in Hokkien, a Chinese dialect. Biostatistician Joshua Yim, 25, is tired of people not keeping up with conversations online. He feels that “ghosting is a fairly common thing” because, on online platforms, the other party is not facing the immediate consequences of disconnecting with someone. He thinks that it is too “convenient” that people are not committed to conversations. There are some singles, though, who feel that joining events is not inherently better than using dating apps, and is simply a complementary way of finding new people. Investment analyst Daniel Stephen, 29, attended a mixer event aimed at Desi singles – people from India, Pakistan or Bangladesh who live in other countries. He still continues using dating apps. “I don’t prefer one method over the other. Everything has its pros and cons. Unfortunately, dating in 2024 is like your investment portfolio. You need to diversify. You need different strategies. “In-person events like singles mixers and blind dates can be diversifiers for your dating strategy while using apps (at the same time). So just throw everything in.” DATING IRL (IN REAL LIFE) Despite craving more genuine conversations through in-person meet-ups, which may lead to meaningful dates, Singaporeans’ busy work schedules often hinder such connections. “Social events help to patch up the gap in society these days. A lot of us are all about the nine to five and then heading home afterward to do your own stuff," Mr Lim said.













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