While you laugh at a well-dressed awkward couple on a blind date, sitting in a restaurant not saying a single word, you secretly realize that it could be you in that seat in the future. For all-women’s university students, blind dating is a requirement course for anyone before graduation. Yet it is a natural campus tradition to have these unnaturally random meetings. Could this be a universal tradition? Let us listen to what the exchange students at SMU have to say about the dating cultures of their countries.
SMT Do you have blind dates in your country?
TAN Of course. While young people mostly go on blind dates in Korea, in China, bachelors are partially forced to go on blind dates because of their parents’ consistent nagging.
SIV No. We never meet a stranger under the condition of an instant relationship.
CESC Sometimes we date classmates or approach someone to ask her phone number, but we do not have blind dates.
JON A lot of people don’t like blind dates and only go on them when they feel like they “have to” (ex. They’re not meeting anyone “normally” and really want to be in a relationship), but we definitely have them and people do often go on them.
SMT When looking for a date, what is the most crucial standard in your country?
TAN Probably personality, appearance, and income. In our country today, there are many only-children who have received an infinite amount of affection from their parents. Thus, the standards are ever more increasing, especially regarding income, houses, and cars.
YU Personality and appearances is an important factor when choosing a date. Men look for women with a good body shape and women look for tall men. The name of his or her school is also very important. Most friends first introduce a date as “this guy is from XXX university.”
SIV It differs from people, but it could be said that personality is the most important.
CESC Mostly religion. After that, maybe ‘education-money-appearance’ is the following order in importance.
JON It really varies person by person, but I’d say generally the first consideration is appearance. Then after that, personality is a very close second.
SMT How are the date expenses paid for?
TAN At first, the men pay for all the expenses, because in my opinion of their pride. After a few meetings, the women start to pay a portion to lessen the pressure on the men.
YU If both male and female are students, because of their economic burden, usually the man pays for the meal, and the woman pays for coffee. Sometimes men pay for everything, and sometimes each partner pays an equal amount.
SIV In Cambodia, we pay together or we take turns. However, I think men pay a little bit more.
CESC Men usually pay for the expenses, because it makes us look gentle.
JON The male usually pays for the date events. It’s usually a polite way to say that you’re not interested in a second date if the female offers to split the bill. It’s basically a carry-over from the days of masculine chivalry. Those customs are slowly becoming less and less important.
