If you have checked your inbox recently, you may have come across an email that bears a striking resemblance to the scammy online dating advertisements that populate many websites.
“Are you lonely? Looking to make friends? Do you want a new situationship? Or to contribute to the infamous 60 percent?”
The email, however, is not a scam. Far from it.
In fact, it is an advertisement for a meticulously planned Valentine’s Day event, “The Button,” hosted by Grinnell College’s Baking Across Borders (BAB), consisting of blindfolded speed-dating and sweet treats.
The event, which will take place on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 7 to 10 p.m., will replicate a dating game inspired by Cut, a popular YouTube channel with nearly 12 million subscribers. Participants will be randomly matched with a partner depending on their sexual orientation and desire for a romantic or platonic conversation. A moderator will be present to assist with the conversation if things become awkward, and participants will have a button to secretly press if they want the date to end.
While participants await their date, they can enjoy a wide array of desserts in the lobby, including “dessert shooters” and guava cake. The YouTube version of “The Button” will also be streaming in the lobby, along with crafts and a photo booth.
“We thought there weren’t enough speed dating options on campus,” Rumesa Qalbani `25, secretary and co-founder of BAB, said. “We want to set up romantic encounters to spark something new and open that up to more people — help people be engaged romantically or platonically.”
At the inaugural event last year, Qalbani said 120 people pre-registered, with many more arriving the night of to participate. As of Wednesday, Qalbani said roughly 90 people are registered for Saturday’s event. This year, BAB recruited over a dozen volunteers to assist with the event.
Qalbani said she has heard of numerous people who went on second dates after meeting someone at last year’s event. She said one couple has been together for almost a year.
Interested students can register using the link in the email sent by bab@studentorg.grinnell.edu.
