'I walk in, they all
stare like who the **** is this dude?!' was on repeat in my mind as I entered
the hall. People were bustling around making last minute preps. They had a pink
band around their wrist. I had a green one. Green bands denoted candidates I guessed,
as I sat beside another woman wearing a green band as well. Small talk, I detest
small talk, but that was all I had to lean on these 6-7 hours.
In the middle of my
small talk, the hall was filled with a booming voice of the host for the day. “Welcome
to Meet ‘n’ Greet, 2018” he said. I almost guffawed at the clichéd use of words,
but stopped myself (knowing it would be impolite). Then started the painstaking
process of making the candidates comfortable. Candidates were still pouring in
as the comfort process dragged on. As we all were settling in, the host finally
started the event by explaining to us what was to be expected in the next 6
hours. I too will give you a gist for I do not want you to wonder what exactly am
I yapping about. Well, it was typically a matchmaking event where people from a
particular age group were brought together, coaxed to engage with another and
then decide if we can find that one, suitable partner for ourselves to spend
our lives with i.e. get married with from amongst the present candidates.
Like any corporate
event it started with a few ice-breaking games. I was skeptical at first, but
as the event unfurled, it was slowly turning out to be fun. We all for some span
completely forgot that our purpose was to look for a life partner. What was
written instead of it was to get to know the other candidates, befriend them.
Looking back at the event now, I realize, that is the first and the most
important step towards finding a partner, finding a friend in your partner.
The ice-breaking games
were followed by an activity, which they’ve termed as ‘the highlight’ of the
event- Speed matching. Every person at
one point or the other has been a part of the games, but speed matching truly was
the highlight of the event. We all were allotted a time span of 4 minutes to
have a word with the opposite gender candidate, at the end of the 4 minutes,
the guys would move ahead and the women could then talk to the next candidate.
I loved this idea because I could have a short conversation with every guy and
evaluate if we had a good rapport or not. Yes, there were times when I thought I’d
like to know this guy better, but, the rules were stringent and they had to
move forward. Although there was leeway to their rules- we could have a private
conversation with the one you liked after the speed matching round.
The event had an
amazing informal format. And another best part of it was there was no parental
supervision. The organizers totally understood the fact that to maintain the
informal format, successful conveyance of the activities a personal space away
from parent’s keen eye is necessary. Hence, the parents of the candidates were
not allowed in until the final hour wherein they could meet any person they’ve
liked.
I know, there is such a
stark difference between how I started telling you about this event and how I’m
ending it. It has literally transcended from black to white. That is exactly
what happened to me during the event. I agree, I entered the venue like a brat showcasing
no sportsmanship. But I have to give it to the organizers; they did a commendable
job of making the event just like the one portrayed.
I won’t disclose to you as to what happened to my
best possible matches, but I’ll tell you this, I think I’ll have to attend
another of such matchmaking events. The event may not have been successful in
helping me find ‘the one’ this time around, but, it was definitely successful
in making me believe and imbibe some confidence with regards to their format. I
think I will attend another of such events. And if the event is organized by Marwadishaadi.com,
I suppose there won’t be any thinking involved. I will definitely attend it
(unless I get hitched.) "
