Chinese speed their way to love in London

Speed dating has been hot in London since the early 2000s, with events often aimed at niche groups－the under 30s, over 40s, tall men, petite women－but curiously, the capital's top speed-dating company only themes one event by nationality or ethnicity: Chinese speed dating.

"I don't know why the Chinese events have remained popular," said Andrew Summersgill, founder of Original Dating. "It's a slightly strange anomaly really, that these particular events are in such high demand."

He organized the first one after getting several emails from Chinese Londoners about a year ago, after a Chinese speed dating organizer stopped functioning. Since then, he has put on five events, mostly sellouts.

The most recent one was held at the kitsch 1950s-style cocktail bar, Love Die Late in central London where 14 men and 14 women－an even mix of British-born Chinese and Chinese expats－chatted, mostly in English. They moved on every four minutes until every guy and girl had met.

Chris Marsh, who hosted the night, was similarly at a loss to explain why Chinese-themed evenings work so well.

"All I know is that they are always really nice people, and it's really popular," Marsh said.

Most participants are bashful when approached for an interview, though one, who requested his name not be used－an Australian consultant in his late 20s with parents from Guangzhou－was talkative after a successful night.

"Tonight, I met a few people who I had an interesting conversation with that I may catch up with later on," he said. "My view is that Asian and Chinese people have some key principles in life. Family is a very important thing. I find conversation with Chinese people tends to be a bit deeper, I suppose.

"With Chinese people I connect at a different level. Maybe, there is a preference to connect with people with a similar background and values."

Whatever the reason behind the demand, Chinese speed dating in London shows no sign of slowing down and Summersgillis organizing a Chinese evening every six weeks.