Cupid’s Travel Diary: 8 Reasons Why Dating Is Easier in Asia

Asia is the perfect place to dabble in dating

When you think about Asia in relation to dating, the first things that come to mind may involve incredibly negative stereotypes. From Traditional Old Fashioned values that require young Asians to marry within their culture, to questions about the Asian population maintain a healthy dating life with their heavy working culture and long-hour jobs. However, due to Western Influence, and the modernisation of the mass of cultures that reside within Asia, these stereotypes are not as prevalent as they used to be.

Asia is a region that is adjusting itself to the modern world, so much so that their technology and attitude towards life has become far more open, to the point where young couples may start to feel comfortable in co-habiting together before marriage. Keep in mind, Asian cultures are steeped in tradition, thus there may be people who adhere to rigidly traditional gender roles and the old fashioned rules of romance (i.e. sex after marriage/ retaining your virginity, marrying between 20-25), but as a whole, Asia is pretty forward in its thinking in regards to sex, love, and relationships

Reason 1: Japan

Gōkon

Whilst Japanese Culture is extremely strict when it comes to marriage, that does not mean that they are not allowed to date to find their perfect partner. When it comes to finding the right husband or wife, the youth of Japan are always prepared to accept help. The most likely time they are most likely to find a partner is either at the end of high school, university or at work, thus if they fall outside of these categories, they are ready to mingle with those who have fallen into the same boat

If the single person’s parents have not organised an Omiai, aka. a Japanese Matchmaker, to hand out romantic resumes to find the perfect match, then young singles may end up going out on a Gōkon

A Gōkon is known as a group blind date. It is organised by single men and women who arrange a night out to either a bar or restaurant. This is in hope that they will form romantic partnerships together. The best way of creating a Gōkon is by having a single man and woman asking their friends to join them on the date. Most of them bring around three to four eligible friends and hopefully they will start to pair up during the night.

A Group Dating Dynamic is a fantastic way to bring introverted people from out of their shells. Someone who may have previously had trouble meeting a potential partner has the opportunity to meet new people without this interfering with their busy lives. The group dynamic allows people to feel comfortable and to find people who are in the same boat as they are. Confidence thy name is “Gōkon”.

Reason 2: Japan

Love how you want, Where you want

When it comes to dating in Japan, there is a very unique sexual subculture that dominates both young and old members of the population alike. Whilst Japan does have its own problems and has recently had its worst taboos exposed with the fetishization of young women (i.e. through the buying/selling of used underwear), as well as rising sexual harassment statistics (as shown through the #MeToo Campaign), it does keep an open mind when it comes to dating and how it can work around a tight professional schedule.

The dating scene in Japan has slowly moved from the plains of reality to a more digital environment. With the emergence of Virtual Reality came reports of young Japanese men saying that they were in “love” with digital simulations. These digital simulations came in the form of young women, characters from video games and anime. One 27-year-old man even staged a wedding in 2009 for him and his “waifu.” This was watched by thousands online as he took vows to be bonded to a digital character.

As a professional life in Japan can be extremely strict, to the point where it can take over their lives, this can lead to very little time being available for dating and romance. This is why fake “waifu” girlfriends have now become such an epidemic on mobile devices and game consoles. For Yuge, a 39-year-old Otaku, who was interviewed by BBC about his virtual girlfriend, he claimed it was due to the relationship being the epitome of a perfect romantic fantasy, to the point where he said:

“It’s the kind of relationship we wish we’d had at high school,”

These sort of relationships come without commitment, thus single men and women can focus on their professional lives and daily schedules without it taking too much of their time. In this romantic fantasy, they can de-stress without the “boy/girlfriend” taking up too much of their time, meaning that they get the perfect work-life balance.

Reason 3: Japan

Lovin’ that Hotel Heaven

Of course, before we move on to different areas of Asia, one of the final great ways that the Japanese have enhanced dating is through the creation of “Love Hotels.” Whether you are a Westerner looking for a quick hook up or are a Japanese couple looking to end some “away-time” on a very intimate note, then a Love Hotel can be the perfect way to ensure your private time away from home.

Japanese Families tend to all stay under one roof. That means that there may be 6 or more people staying in one home. With this amount of people residing in the same home, this can lead to couples having trouble finding a place where they can enjoy some intimacy together.

A Japanese love hotel is a haven for all different sorts of romance. Couples can experience extremely individualised rooms that are catered to tend to their every sexual fantasy and fetish. Some rooms are highly romanticised whilst others tend to be a little more humorous. With rooms dedicated to Ball Pits, Subway Carriages, Hello Kitty and even Jurassic Park, you and your lover can indulge in a wide variety of sexual fantasies before leaving your little naughty activities as a fond memory in the room. The rooms also come fitted with sexy costumes, toys. drinks and even food services.

This sort of date is perfect for any older couple that is looking to revive their intimacy, or even for a young couple that just wants to take a few hours to get away from the world. Either way, there is always a place that has time sex.

Reason 4: China

Online Romances

Due to China’s previous overpopulation policies concerning single births and the prioritization of male babies, China’s population now in an extremely unique (and self-made) crisis. Having a population of 1.4 billion, there is actually around 34 million more males than females.

This means that females are actually in desperate demand right now, as male babies born during the one-child policy, are now in surplus. These men have a less likely chance of meeting a partner and can be subject to depression and loneliness, especially if they are rural-lower income men.

Whilst this does make dating a lot easier for Chinese Women, as they have a lot more choice to pick from than their Male Counterparts, it has also allowed a boom in the Chinese Online Dating Industry. National Dating Websites allow young men and women to search for the perfect partner within different areas of China, or for singles looking in their local area, as well as indulge in that much-needed socialisation with the opposite sex. This has meant that the Chinese online dating industry has flourished. In 2014, it was even expected that the industry would break $318 million annual revenue. Thus, if you are looking for love, the internet the best place to find it.

Reason 5: General Asia

Mobile Advancements

If we think about the entirety of Asia in general, the first thing that you tend to think about (in relation to it) is its boom in technology. Asia is at the heart of the 2000’s Technological Revolution, with its influence dictating the creation of mobile services, packaging and industrial technology optimisation, sophisticated manufacturing, and many other advances. This is why it is not surprising to hear that Mobile Technology is another reason why Asia’s Dating Culture is flourishing.

Dating Apps make it far easier to meet new people. However, dating apps in Asia are even more influential than they are in the West. Jakarta, an Online Asia Advertising Website, has stated that

“The key to successfully meeting girls in Asia is to master the right dating apps and websites.”

Asia has its own selection of dating apps that are similar to Tinder but are actually native to its different cultures, countries, and cities. What one country use to find potential partners may not be used for another. However, as they are completely localised to the nation, that means that there is more chance that they will meet someone in their own country that they will like.

These list of apps include:

Singapore: Paktor

Thailand: Noon-Swoon

Singapore(Specifically for Malay/Muslim People): Mat & Minah

Philippines: Peekawoo

Singapore: LunchClick

India: Woo

Whether the user is heterosexual, homosexual or bi-sexual, these mobile apps are available for everyone through a mobile phone’s interface. That means that finding love has become all the more accessible and may even assist in finding long-distance relationships in Asia.

Reason 6: Thailand

Escorting

Thailand is a country that is naturally associated with “Pleasure-Tourism”. For many people travel over from the rest to experience all the party culture that Thailand has to offer. However, this may not be the only reason why they have traveled over. For Thailand is also famous for its gorgeous Ladyboys, such as those from Absolute Angels Bangkok, and its relaxed attitudes towards purchasing sex.

If you are not confident enough to go out on a date with a potential partner, then the next best thing is to find an escort to meet you. All of the Ladies and Ladyboys in Thailand are ready to meet for dates that consist of more than just sex in hotel rooms. After all, they are more than just entertainers and are ready to treat you to a fun date, if that is what you are interested in. Your date can consist of visiting markets, going out for food, swimming or even seeing local tourist spots. This means that you will be able to practice your social skills with your escort and see how to successfully flirt.

Thailand Escorts are the perfect way for honing in your social skills, as well as to build up your confidence when approaching those you want to date. That way, when you finally go on a real date, you will always feel prepared.

Reason 7: General Asia

Valentines Day and White Day

So, you have probably heard of Valentine’s day, a day where romance is the main focal point. Couples tend to go out for dates together at restaurants, bars or even on day trips. However, for dating in Asia it actually provides a more pragmatic use.

For Valentine’s Day in Asia, this is a day where young women can profess their love to the partner of their choice. This can be in the form of letters, emails or even face to face. Valentine’s day is considered an extremely lucky day and they even send presents over to those they like. However, their chosen partner can either return their affection on the day, or they can use White Day as a reason to send a gift to their original admirer

Whilst White Day was traditionally for Men to return the displays of affection, in the present day, the day is open to anyone who has received a gift and wants to spoil the person who has sent it to them. This is a great way of seeing whether or not the person you are growing close to actually has feelings for you. If not, then you can move on to somebody else.

Reason 8: Singapore & Malaysia

Speed Dating

When it comes to Speed Dating, you may think that the only places to do this would be Europe and America. However, with growing populations and cultures that are moving away from arranged marriages, Speed Dating has become a favorite in order to create courtships between different cultures of people

Whilst these Speed Dates usually tend to be based between selected groups of people (such as Malaysian Muslims in Kuala Lumpur), they do allow those in conservative societies the chance to meet singles who are looking to meet someone that they are hoping to fall in love with. Some of these speed dates are so big that over 2,000 people have signed up in order to take part.

However, unlike normal speed dates, these dates intend to match life partners together. These events are extremely professional and are even attended by chaperones to ensure that all is going to plan. These events are not only accepted by strict/traditional societies, but they allow people to get to know each other without feeling intimidated or nervous. Meeting a lot of people in a short amount of time will allow you to see who you will potentially click with before asking to them again.

Pairing Possibilities are a Reality in Asia!

It can be difficult to meet someone new when you are an adult. After all, you fall into a safe pattern of life. Wake up, go to work, eat, drink, sleep and then start the whole day over again. It is a simple wash, rinse and repeat cycle. However, the dating scene in Asia is ready to return the romantic spark to its youth’s barren plain of existence.

Dating can be extremely fun if it can be easily inserted into the Daily Lives and Schedules of its singles. Whilst not all romantic endeavors can be easily obtained in Asia, they certainly do provide the tools needed to make sure young couples feel fulfilled, and singles feeling wanted and not so alone. Their Dating Culture is not perfect, but it does make finding that special someone a whole lot easier.