A year and a half ago, my girlfriend of eight years left me abruptly, just before our wedding. The first three months were devastating. When I finally recovered and dipped into the dating pool, my nephews signed me up for apps like Tinder and Happn—what I bluntly call 'sex supermarkets.' They stroke the ego, but the endless photo swiping feels superficial and fake. Real-life meetups often disappoint. It just wasn't for me.
One day, signing up for Meetic while browsing Ikea.fr for a sofa, it struck me: love has turned into a commodity. I wanted to reclaim time for romance, fostering authentic, app-free connections. Thus, 'slow dating' was born—for romantics who proudly embrace their sentimental side. The premise: singles gather at aperitifs, each bringing a friend to spark unexpected chemistry.
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It lets you take time to truly connect through in-person encounters with a serendipitous vibe. These love aperitifs aren't about casual hookups—if sparks fly, wonderful, but that's not the focus like on Tinder. Attendees arrive open to meaningful meetings. Bringing a best friend eliminates awkwardness, transforming it into a fun social evening. I'll include icebreaker games and personal mailboxes for handwritten notes.
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Generation Y thrives on instant swipes and zero patience—much like the rise of the slow food movement counters fast food. Slow dating revives the simplicity and spontaneity of real-world encounters, before screens and endless scrolling. Requiring a friend along boosts surprise matches and comfort.
> Follow The Love Brigade on Facebook to join aperitifs.
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