Here is the content summarized into an article:
Dinner with a Stranger: A Society Promoting Friendships in the Digital Age
At Glasgow University, a group of students, including Juliette Sartori and Mary Yiorkadji, have started a society to encourage students to make new friends by setting up blind dates with strangers. The idea was born out of a desire to connect with others in a world where people are increasingly glued to their screens and digital devices.
The society, also known as Dinner with a Stranger, was initially expected to attract only 30 members, but ended up with 200 participants, including undergraduate and postgraduate students from various backgrounds. The concept is different from swiping-based dating apps, which focus on romantic relationships. Instead, Dinner with a Stranger relies on traditional personality quizzes and manual pairings to set up dates based on shared interests and values.
Juliette, the society’s founder, believes that people are lonelier than ever, citing social media as a major contributor to feelings of isolation. She sees Dinner with a Stranger as a way to reconnect with others on a deeper level, beyond surface-level superficiality.
Mary, another key figure in the society, agrees, noting that social media often presents unrealistic expectations and emphasizes the importance of face-to-face interactions. She believes that by focusing on shared values and interests, people can form meaningful connections without the pressure of romantic relationships.
The society has already led to successful pairings, with current flatmates and best friends Vanya and Hannah, who were matched through Dinner with a Stranger, crediting the experience with improving their mental health and confidence.
Juliette sees the increasing popularity of dating apps with friendship-matching features as a sign that the concept will become more mainstream. She believes that in the future, people will prioritize making friends as much as romantic connections.
As the idea of Dinner with a Stranger continues to gain traction, it offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional methods of forming connections in the digital age. By prioritizing face-to-face interactions and genuine connections, the society is helping to foster a sense of community and belonging among students, one dinner date at a time.