MANY UNIVERSITY students in Korea consider sogaeting (blind dates) or meeting* as a rite of passage. They are not only a way to find love but also a chance to encounter new people and have a fun time. This month, The Yonsei Annals asked Yonseians to share their opinions about this entertaining but sometimes burdensome event. 

Jang You-jin
(Soph., UIC, Dept. of Econ.)
I do not think that meeting or blind dates can be a means to develop serious relationships. So I do not expect much and just go out for fun or to have a free meal. I do not like being coy, so I usually try to be very talkative, in order that both me and my partner can have an enjoyable time. But in some cases, when the partner is not my type, I put on heavy makeup and behave in a cold way so that he will never contact me again.

Choi In-hong
(Fresh., Open Major)
I think there is a certain etiquette for meeting or blind dates. One thing I ask girls is to consider the price of the food and not order something too expensive, since men usually pay for the meal. Based on my experiences, I think the most effective way men could appeal to women is by pretending to be shy. A talkative man can seem to be a shallow person, so it is not necessary to talk much.

Kim Jung-hyun
(Fresh., University College, Social Science)
A lot of students enjoy drinking and playing games in meeting, but I do not find much meaning in doing so. I believe the process of getting to know a person is more important than one's first impression. Nevertheless, I think it is still important for people to be polite in meeting or blind dates. It was very unpleasant when some boys did not pay attention to me and my friends and fidgeted with their cell phones just because our looks were not satisfying to them.

 Yoon Sung-hwa
(Soph., Dept. of Electrical & Electronic Engin.)
A lot of people think of meeting or blind dates as a way of making date partners, but they are also a good opportunity to interact with new people from different universities. I also think there is a greater possibility of getting close with the person in mind if you find things you have in common by asking about his or her favorite movies or hobbies. Specifying what to do and where to meet next time will be helpful in continuing your relationship with the partner.

Choi Byeng-jae
(Jr., University College, Pre-Dent.)
Due to my introverted personality, I am not used to getting along with new people. Once, I had a blind date with a girl who was to become a flight attendant, but it did not go well because of my timidity. My experience of meeting was not so pleasant, too. The guys ordered ￦90,000's worth of gob-chang barbeque, but as time went by, I started to feel very unpleasant due to excessive drinking. I secretly escaped the place without paying my part of the bill.

Oh Hyun-jin
(Sr., Dept. of Biology)
I had only one sogaeting when I was a freshman. He was a likeable person at first, but, when I met him for the second time, he showed up late and was not the guy that I had imagined. Even if you start dating a person just because of his or her fine first impression, you cannot help being disappointed as time goes by and see other aspects of the person. I now think that it is much better to start out as a friend and develop the relationship naturally.

*meeting: a less serious blind date between at least two men and two women