Anisa Hassan, CEO of “It’s Just Lunch”, talks to TTO about the latest dating trends, the benefits of inter-ethnic relationships and gives some insider advice to our readers on how to prepare for a first date.

Q. Anisa, your company is called “It’s Just Lunch”, can you explain the name?
A.H. It’s Just Lunch (IJL) is an intelligent and fun dating solution for busy professionals. When the founder of IJL was dumped just five weeks before walking down the aisle, she created a unique way for singles to meet other like-minded singles… setting up a date over lunch! Being busy executives and professionals, lunch provides a stress free and low pressure way to get to know other single executives. After all, everyone has time for lunch. So why not throw in an element of fun by meeting someone new at noon time?

Q. You mentioned the term “road warrior” the other day, who would you describe as the Road Warriors?

A.H. In our most recent It’s Just Lunch survey, we found out that many of our clients spend a lot of time “on the road” – this means they travel frequently. The term road warriors mean these jet-setting, frequent-flyer executives no longer need a physical office to function as they can operate from almost anywhere with their laptops and blackberries. More than 40% of IJL clients in both Singapore and Bangkok can be termed as road warriors because of their corporate lifestyles.

Q. IJL just launched inter-city dating can you explain the benefits it brings to your clients?
A.H. Understanding the needs of these “road warriors”, IJL has pioneered what we term “inter-city dating” between two cities, namely between Singa­pore and Bangkok. From our survey, we found out that many of our clients travel frequently between these cities either for work or pleasure. Along with the accessibility of budget airlines and frequent flights, more than 20% of IJL clients are opting to meet singles in both cities. With more singles who come from varied backgrounds to choose from, IJL clients see the immediate ben­efits of “casting their nets far and wide”. Besides, meeting someone new who has been carefully selected by IJL consultants can be fun and exciting. For women, safety issues are addressed immediately because they get to meet men who have been pre-screened beforehand. For men, they get to meet women from a different background and culture whom they would other­wise not meet if they had stayed put in their city of domicile.

Q. Anisa, could you tell us your views on how an inter-ethnic relationship can become a more enriching experience and what are in your opinion the secret ingredients that will make it or break it?

A.H. With the onset of globalization, inter-ethnic relationships will soon become more mainstream. A deep level of awareness and appreciation of each others cultures, race and religion will be the starting point of enriching relationships. Curiosity must be tempered with sensitivity to ensure that one does not cross the line. A person who enters an inter-ethnic relationship with an open mind can come out more fulfilled and rewarded relative to someone who thinks that his or her own race or religion is far superior than the other. A high level of tolerance, understanding as well as intellectual dis­course can do a lot to smoothen the rough around the edges. A person who’s non-judgemental yet possess the ability to articulate his or her views in a logical and calm manner would stand a better chance at having a more en­during inter-ethnic relationship. I believe there’ll come a time when people will become colour-blind and one is no longer judged by the colour of one’s skin, rather the strength of one’s character and integrity.

Q.  Do you think you could give us a description of your ideal client/date?

A.H. An ideal IJL client is a high calibre corporate executive who has achieved some measure of success in his or her professional life. He/she is highly educated, communicates well and leads an active lifestyle be it in sports, the arts and culture or the world of volunteerism. More than 60% of IJL clients are educated overseas (the US, UK and Australia/New Zealand) and they are equipped with a cosmopolitan and sophisticated outlooks to­wards love and life.

Q. Do you recall any special “Success experience” you would like to share with our readers?

A.H. The most recent success story in Bangkok revolves around a 44 year old Thai man who’s been married before and a 29 year old single Thai lady. With two grown-up children, “Neville” a medical doctor is keen to get his life back on track again but he has a deep seated fear that he will not be easily accepted by the ladies because of his history. Enter a fashionable go-getter “Sara” who is ready to begin a committed relationship. Despite being very “dateable” because of her good looks and strong character, Sara has no inten­tion of “playing the field”. She’s looking for someone mature who could guide her through life’s many adventures and she’s very open to meeting someone who’s not only been married before, but with kids. Following an intense two months of courtship, Sara was introduced to Neville’s children who simply adore her and in turn Neville was introduced to Sara’s parents who are con­vinced that Neville would make a good husband. Both are now happily en­gaged and are finalizing their wedding date.

Q. In this day and age of technology why do you think your clients want to go back to basics to find their ideal partner?

A.H. In our world of inter-connectedness, we have increasingly become de­pendent on our technologically advanced tools and gadgets to connect and interact. Sadly, we have “lost touch” with how we used to communicate with each other; face to face and in person. As a result, we have become discon­nected from each other. Even with the onslaught of online dating, speed dating and mobile-text dating, clients have come back to It’s Just Lunch over and over again, saying they want to get reconnected with their five senses once more. This means, they want to see, hear, touch, “smell” and “taste” their date… taking time to savour a good conversation and “be present”. There’s a saying “You can’t hurry love”… that’s why many IJL clients are tak­ing their feet off the pedal and are learning again to take it slow.

Q. Out of curiosity, could you tell us about your future dreams and ambitions for IJL?

A.H. I have always envisioned IJL to be a dating agency of choice among intelligent, discerning professionals who value quality dates. IJL will very quickly become an exclusive brand that busy executives trust and want to count on for fun, first dates with high success rates. I dream that more than 50% of my clients will embrace inter-city dating for its ease, convenience and value. My ambition is to introduce It’s Just Lunch in another fun, cosmopoli­tan city in three years time so I can change the way singles view dating, one date at a time.

Q. Anisa, could you give our readers you best tips on how to prepare themselves for an ideal date?
A.H. These are my sure fire tips for singles to have exciting and fun, first dates.

1. Put on a million dollar smile and adopt a positive and cheerful attitude on a date.

2. Dress up to feel good and confident about yourself.

3. Read up on current affairs and be a good conversationalist by touching on various topics of interests… please steer clear of politics though.

4. Be genuinely interested in your date by asking interesting and intelligent questions.

5. Come with an open-mind and a good measure of fun as the possibility can be endless.

Question for readers

1. More than 40% of IJL’s clients in Singapore and Bangkok are termed “road warriors”.  True   or    False

2. Provide your own original tip of what makes a good date?

Send your answers via post or email to: It’s Just Lunch Bangkok All Seasons Place, CRC Tower 36F, Suite 37, 87/2 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Phatumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand  e-mail : contest@ijlsingapore.com
Please include your full name, gender, age, email and cell number as you could be one of our lucky winners to win an exclusive 1 year membership to It’s Just Lunch worth THB28,000!
For more information, please visit www.itsjustlunchbangkok.com