Finding the right partner in the modern dating world is not easy. And so in an attempt to prove that appearances aren't everything, one Japanese dating company is using surgical masks to force their clients to concentrate on character instead of superficial looks.
Some say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and eyes are all these Japanese singles have to go by while they search for their soulmates. They’re usually worn to stop the spreading of germs, during this speed dating session the surgical masks are worn to make sure the focus is on the personality and not appearance.
In order to achieve marriage, it’s important to provide people with the chance to know their partner’s personality properly in the early stages of a relationship, rather than start with the outward appearance. That’s why we use surgical masks. They are an essential tool to do that.
With fewer marriages and declining birth rates, dating services in Japan are gaining popularity. The singles in this room have not given up on finding the one but in a digital world, where online dating is the norm, they feel superficial first impressions are getting in the way.
People come to this event looking for someone with personality. So from the start I felt confident, not being judged by my appearance I think I was able to be more outgoing with women.
I think I was able to find out more about their inner selves and not just judge them by their looks. In this event personality matters. I quite like that.
And it works. These two young women have landed themselves a second double date, and this time they may choose to leave the mask at home.
Rebecca Lee, BBC News.
