Moto-dating

New 'Drive By Dating' service offers you the chance to meet your date while stuck in a traffic jam

Love on the road. Sounds bizarre? But soon a new dating service Drive By Dating (DBD) will bond people who travel on the same route, meet at the same subway or halt at the same traffic light. So if you find an attractive man in the car next to you, you can date him for real. Candice Schkurat, public relations and marketing executive, DBD says, "We're currently Australia-wide only, but we'll launch it world-wide since the response has been phenomenal. But the date is not still decided."

But is India ready for such services? Is a virtual proof of character enough to convince you to date someone? Or do you need more?u00a0 Says model Priya Soni, "It's natural to fall for people who share the same route or bus.

At least, we used to when we were in college. Whether others share my opinion or not will decide the success of this portal." 25-year-old Mannika Singh says, "In Delhi, it could be a problem considering the eve-teasing, but in cities like Pune, the service might click."u00a0u00a0

How does it work?
The activities of the initiative are managed through its portal https://www.drivebydating.com.au/. To become a member, you have to create a profile on the homepage. After the signup process, you'll receive a DBD sticker for your car, which can be displayed on your number plate or the rear window. This declares your presence on the website, and the next time someone stops next to you, thinks you're pretty cute and wants to take you out for a cup of coffee, he/she will go back to the portal, search you by your car registration, colour or make; and then interact through the website.

Love that's not virtual
The platform is indeed a different avenue to meet. The edge that you get here is that unlike other dating sites, you actually meet people physically, not just virtually. Here you interact with people you've already seen. And since it's the website that connects the person to you, the deal is entirely safe. Plus, this way of dating is convenient since you don't have to pull over. Handing over your phone number on the road could come across as intimidating, scary or unsafe.

Delhi University student Priyank Shah has a different opinion. He says, "Aise website par ladkiya kum aur ladke bahut zyada hote hai. I doubt its success." However, item girl Deepal Shaw is all game. She says, "The idea is wonderful. For most people, it's love at first sight. So traffic jams could be a place for romance."

Can it work in Mumbai?u00a0

Anshul Kumar Gupta, 22, associate marketing manager, single, travels by train and taxiu00a0
No. I doubt this concept will work here, but it's Bombay so if you promote it, anything can work. The thing is that girls who are worth the effort don't register themselves on social networking sites. Even if I see a good looking girl while traveling, I'm in a hurry to reach my destination and my phone is always buzzing with work calls. I really don't have the time to look out for potential girlfriends.

Janak Shah, 24, freelance photographer, single, travels by train and caru00a0
Maybe. I'm not sure I'll register because it sounds a little tacky. If I see a hot girl, I don't need a bumper sticker to make my move (laughs). On the other hand, if you see these bumper stickers, it forms a community of sorts, so it's a great way to find likeminded people and if you find a potential date, that's even better. It's definitely not a sign of desperation at a time when your Facebook status screams single.

Vanika Choudhary 25, media strategist, dating, travels by car
No. The culture here is different, so I don't think it will work. We haven't reached a stage where we can do something like this. At least I won't put up a bumper sticker. However if I see someone interesting while traveling I might start a conversation, not necessarily a relationship. I would be more open, though, to going up to someone at a club rather than a traffic signal.

Mira Shah, 22, special educator, single, travels by car
Maybe. Anything new picks up in Bombay. But I don't think I'd put up a bumper sticker. It can be a little tacky and also desperate. It might lead to something meaningful, but it's mostly just fun. If I see a really cute guy while in the car, I won't go up to him. I'd think he's cute, but nothing beyond that.u00a0u00a0

Harsh Ravji Kamdar, 22, technical analyst, dating, travels by roadu00a0u00a0
Yes. I think this website would work and I don't mind registering. It's a good way to meet people and start dating. But I don't think many girls will register; they might not want to project an image like that. It's a little desperate.u00a0

Cabbie matchmaker
GET in for the ride and find love on the way. New York cabbie matchmaker Ahmed Ibrahim, a 50-year-old Egyptian immigrant in the Big Apple, finds you a match if you're single and searching for love. Ibrahim, who started his first couple off on a lark, now loves the idea of hooking up people in the lonely city of New York.

They met while travelling

Actor Rajat Kapoor and his photographer wife Meenal Agarwal met while travelling on a Churchgate-bound localu00a0
Meenal says, "We met on a Churchgate train. The first time I was introduced to him was at Prithvi Theatre, but a year after that, I saw him at the station.

"We had changed a lot. I had cut my hair shorter and put on some weight. He also looked different. So we were not sure. We got into the same train. You really can't stare at a stranger for a long time, so we made some conversation. The next day, he asked me out for a movie.

"It totally depends on the two people. You can meet anyone anywhere, but there has to be chemistry. Why put undue pressure on a train journey? But the bumper stickers seem like a good idea. It gives you something to do rather than stare at the wheel or listen to boring radio."u00a0u00a0

How you can find a date in the city...

While travelling by train
Pros: Since most use the train to get to work, the timings remain the same and you can get a better dekho at your object of affection. They say in times of crisis, your true nature is revealed. See your potential date put his people skills to use while someone stamps him, pokes him in the ribs or sleeps on his shoulder.
Cons: It will be difficult to actually spot someone when all you can see is a sweaty armpit. Even if you do, having a conversation squashed between the door and someone, is hardly romantic.
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While in a share-a-rickshaw/ taxi
Pros: A more intimate setting to get to know each other without any somebody's body parts playing spoil sport.
Cons: Your nosy neighbour might just happen to share the rickshaw or taxi and be privy to your dealings. Also if the relationship goes sour, they do know where you live.u00a0

While in a bus
Pros: The bus is hardly ever on time. Use this to your advantage and get to know the person. Once you become close they might even give up their seat for you and offer to pay for your ticket.
Cons: The conductor yelling "Phude chala!" and "Sutte kadha!" doesn't make it an ideal place to get to know each other.

While boarding the airplane
Pros: Small indicators give you a rare first glimpse into who the person really is what book they are reading, how they are dressed and whether they are in first class or economy. If you click, you can have your first dinner date right on the plane there's food!
Cons: It might be short-lived unless both are frequent fliers and privilege cardholders of the same airline.


Payment plans
1 month membership
Rs 500
3 month membership
Rs 2,500
6 month membership
Rs 5,000

'It will be expensive to put up a bumper sticker'

P S Pasricha, former deputy commissioner of Mumbai traffic police
"Any sticker you put on a vehicle has to be placed correctly not on the front and back windshields. For that, you require permission from the RTO. It should be placed on the body of the car. It depends on where it is placed, how big it is and if it causes any distraction. If it is from the website, it amounts to advertising and you require permission from the RTO to advertise on private vehicles because the laws and taxes are different.

Acquiring permission won't be simple and it will be very expensive. If such a proposal is put forth, the RTO can look into it. But I don't think private cars will be given permission. It will not be attainable."u00a0