Mass blind date in China turns into public spectacle

Young people who went to a mass blind dating event found themselves the target of voyeuristic tourists, China News Service reports. Hundreds showed up at the camping site where the event was being held. Women waited in the tents while men took turns to have short conversations with them. If both were interested they would hang a “don’t disturb” sign outside the tent and talk for longer.

The sign was supposed to drive away other daters but it attracted curious tourists, who stood near the tent to listen in on the proceedings. Some even opened tent flaps to take photographs.

The organisers had to send more than 20 additional staff to try to deter tourists from interfering in the event.

But the visitors kept coming, so in the end, one staff member was assigned to each tent as a doorkeeper to protect the privacy of the participants.