Group dating
Encyclopedia
Group dating is a modern pattern for dating where a group of single men and a group of single women organise a night out, with the hope of forming romantic partnerships. It is most popular in Japan
, where it is known as gōkon. In other cultures, group dating is becoming more popular as a safe alternative to single dating (especially blind dating), also helping to ease tension, because both parties will feel more comfortable having the company of their friends.
Group dating is often recommended by parenting experts as more age appropriate
form of dating for preteens than one-on-one dating.
The term gōkon comes from the Japanese words konpa (a party for members of a single group, class, or club) and gōdō ("together", "combination"). Generally speaking, gōkon are not primarily intended to result in one-night stands (something more associated with nanpa
), but rather for making friends and possibly forming long-term relationships. Typically groups of men and women will sit opposite each other and converse with one another, while simultaneously whispering discussions with their same-sex peers about which potential partners they find attractive. Sometimes games are played to reduce tension and encourage a convivial atmosphere.
Recently, writing a text message on a mobile phone
and showing it to others has become popular as an alternative to whispering.
:
"Group online dating, its creators and practitioners say, is safer than traditional Internet dating: With friends in tow, there's little fear that a date will spike your drink during a trip to the bathroom. It's more natural, akin to happy-hour mixing. Going out in groups improves your odds, at least in theory. And if the opposing social circle doesn't live up to its virtual profile, well, it's a night out with your gang."
According to dating coach Nick Savoy
, group dates are great for dating within groups of friends but to effectively get into a relationship a one-on-one date is necessary.
Various internet dating websites, such as Ignighter, have turned to group dates as a way to facilitate a safe and more relaxed atmosphere. There are even branches of group dating that focus on more specific interests, such as BlendAbout where the focus is heavily on food.
According to a San Diego Union-Tribune article:
"[The Concept] is part of a growing trend in the lucrative online dating market – harnessing the power of friends. Several sites are tapping into the idea that most real-world relationships begin, like it or not, with the help and influence of friends and family."
In March 2008, comedians Dave Ahdoot and Ethan Fixell
posted a video on YouTube
soliciting women for double dates. Since then, Dave and Ethan claim to have gone on over 200 double dates, documenting the results online while promoting group dating as a safe, productive means of making real-life romantic connections.
and Cambridge
universities, where they are known as a Crewdate and Formal swap, respectively.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, where it is known as gōkon. In other cultures, group dating is becoming more popular as a safe alternative to single dating (especially blind dating), also helping to ease tension, because both parties will feel more comfortable having the company of their friends.
Group dating is often recommended by parenting experts as more age appropriate
Age appropriate
Age appropriate refers to a developmental concept whereby certain activities may be deemed appropriate or inappropriate to a child's "stage" or level of development....
form of dating for preteens than one-on-one dating.
Japan
In Japan, a is a group blind date, typically used to form at least some friendships between two groups that are each of a single sex. Generally, a single man and woman who know each other organize the gōkon in advance, each agreeing to bring 3 or 4 eligible friends. The venue is usually a restaurant, izakaya, or anywhere people can eat, drink and make a bit of noise.The term gōkon comes from the Japanese words konpa (a party for members of a single group, class, or club) and gōdō ("together", "combination"). Generally speaking, gōkon are not primarily intended to result in one-night stands (something more associated with nanpa
Nanpa
, also transliterated as nampa, in Japanese culture is a type of flirting and seduction popular among teenagers and people in their twenties and thirties. When Japanese women pursue men in a fashion similar to nanpa, it is called .-Etymology:...
), but rather for making friends and possibly forming long-term relationships. Typically groups of men and women will sit opposite each other and converse with one another, while simultaneously whispering discussions with their same-sex peers about which potential partners they find attractive. Sometimes games are played to reduce tension and encourage a convivial atmosphere.
Recently, writing a text message on a mobile phone
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
and showing it to others has become popular as an alternative to whispering.
USA
According to an article in USA todayUSA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
:
"Group online dating, its creators and practitioners say, is safer than traditional Internet dating: With friends in tow, there's little fear that a date will spike your drink during a trip to the bathroom. It's more natural, akin to happy-hour mixing. Going out in groups improves your odds, at least in theory. And if the opposing social circle doesn't live up to its virtual profile, well, it's a night out with your gang."
According to dating coach Nick Savoy
Nick Savoy
Nick Savoy is a Canadian businessman, author, and dating coach. He is the President and Program Leader of Love Systems and author of Magic Bullets.-Biography:...
, group dates are great for dating within groups of friends but to effectively get into a relationship a one-on-one date is necessary.
Various internet dating websites, such as Ignighter, have turned to group dates as a way to facilitate a safe and more relaxed atmosphere. There are even branches of group dating that focus on more specific interests, such as BlendAbout where the focus is heavily on food.
According to a San Diego Union-Tribune article:
"[The Concept] is part of a growing trend in the lucrative online dating market – harnessing the power of friends. Several sites are tapping into the idea that most real-world relationships begin, like it or not, with the help and influence of friends and family."
In March 2008, comedians Dave Ahdoot and Ethan Fixell
Ethan Fixell
-Professional work:Fixell is best known as one half of double dating comic duo Dave and Ethan, along with his childhood friend Dave Ahdoot. He is also the creator and editor of ActualConversation.com....
posted a video on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
soliciting women for double dates. Since then, Dave and Ethan claim to have gone on over 200 double dates, documenting the results online while promoting group dating as a safe, productive means of making real-life romantic connections.
UK
Goukon style events have also developed independently at OxfordOxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
and Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
universities, where they are known as a Crewdate and Formal swap, respectively.