Blind Date Nation

Dating is complicated in any country or any culture. Two people meet, flirt and the dance begins or ends depending on how things progress. Okay- so this appears to be the same things that transpire in western cultures. Every human is just yearning to find "the one". So what's so different about Korea? Korea is a blind date nation. Every one of my single Korean friends (male and female) have been on a blind date. Typically, friends, mothers, grandmothers and even aunts play match maker for their single loved ones. Once the hook up is made, the match-maker or third wheel goes along for the date. Its not uncommon to sit down for dinner and count the tables where three people looking mighty awkward sit down for a meal or a cup of coffee. The match-maker sort of acts like a buffer. He/She will try and stimulate the conversation. Talk about awkward.  If the mood is right and there is a likely match, the two singles will likely see each other again in hopes of sparking a relationship.  If not, it all ends there, until the next blind date comes through.  I hear that the match maker truly considers the two people's needs and wants. My friends tell me that usually two people in Korea are set up based on professional status, social status and salary.  I can't say that this is for every situation, but my friends have expressed that this is the typical set up situation.

Back in North America, blind dating is kind of unheard of, except for the select stories you hear floating around. I'm totally unaware of the success rate of this style of hooking up, but I guess it beats meeting people in a bar or on the internet. At least you have a middle-man who at least can take some responsibility for the match up in the first place.  That way, you have someone to blame when it goes south or at least a pretty good toast at your wedding.  Maybe, I'll put the word out to my friends back home to start keeping a look out-- but let's be honest, I'm looking for a little more than social status and salary...  although six figures couldn't hurt.