Indian singles describe the costs and awkwardness of offline dating events

New interviews in The Hindu show why interest in meeting outside dating apps does not always translate into a satisfying experience. Participants describe high prices, awkward introductions and social pressure, while organisers emphasise small gatherings and shared activities.

Shaista Vaishnav, a 43-year-old independent professional in Mumbai, told the newspaper she has attended singles events since 2010–11. In her experience, conventional icebreakers often add to the discomfort. She recalled paying more than 12,000 rupees for a dinner with three men she would not have selected herself on an app.

Vaishnav described a wine-and-cheese event more positively. Men rotated between tables every 15–20 minutes, and the shared activity provided a reason to talk. After many other gatherings, however, she found new female acquaintances rather than a romantic partner.

Tejaswi Subramanian, digital editor at Gaysi, said the platform’s spaces primarily build community for queer people. Being among others who understand a person’s identity can have value in itself. A romantic connection is one possible outcome rather than the sole purpose.

The League, which entered India in November 2025, said it had organised 30 small events across its markets, with approximately 100 people attending cumulatively. Match Group representative Anukool Kumar described an effort to create conditions for intentional connections. That account of the company’s strategy does not establish how many lasting relationships resulted.

A YouGov survey commissioned by The League and reported in August 2026 covered more than 500 single dating-app users in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru. Of those respondents, 69 per cent said conversations rarely progressed beyond small talk, 90 per cent expressed willingness to attend curated offline events and 82 per cent said they would take someone more seriously after meeting in that setting. These are respondents’ stated intentions rather than measured outcomes for all Indian users.

An unnamed 28-year-old data engineer in Delhi told The Hindu that attendees can become overly conscious of the expectation to make a romantic move. He prefers establishing trust through an app before meeting. His account reinforces a distinction running through the interviews: wanting personal contact does not remove concerns about choice, safety or comfort.