Gloria's Blog

Online dating is becoming more common. People's perceptions toward online dating also have evolved. It has now become a more generally acceptable way of meeting people. From a pure scientific point of view, it can be more efficient approach in meeting the right person.  The Knot surveyed more than 14,000 engaged or recently married individuals and reported that 19% of brides said they met their spouses online , increased from 5% in 2015. ( source ) However, there are still lots of frustrations in dating. I have been there, too.  At one point, I was even entertained by the frustrations "Every time, the case is impossible for a different reason. Things don't work out for a different reason. Now I am really curious what the next reason of 'failure' will be... " This blog is about in this era of data-driven dating, how setting third-level goals might help in finding the right person. Plus a personal tip at the end. . . . “People don’t down...

- 1 - April 27, 2018. It was the one year reunion after we graduated. I was hesitating whether I should fly back to Chicago. The reason of the hesitation: I know there will be A LOT OF people, a lot of 'Oh hi how have you been?', a lot of trying hard to stuff our lives in five minute conversations in crowded, noisy venue. I genuinely want to know how my friends have been, but I am fearful that they want to meet and catch up with as many people as possible, and that they won't have time for that with me, and maybe, the deepest fear, is the fear of realizing "I haven't actually made good friends in Booth. " I knew it is possibly a fact. And I am afraid of seeing this fact in front of me.  The other day, I had brunch with another Booth in Seattle. She said, "Why not? It is the most efficient way to catch up with Boothies. Otherwise you may not be able to see them in years."  That's actually a good point. "Just seeing them, and ha...

On my way to work on April 6th, I listened to a podcast . It is an interview with Vanessa Van Edwards, the author of Captivate . It described her way to have dazzling conversations in a networking setting: "It is not about how to impress other people, but how to give other people opportunities to impress you." "A good conversation creates sense of belongings - you make them feel that they belong to you, and you belong to them. Examples are: you share some common experiences; you show that you care about what they care about, by asking thoughtful questions. Their book, their business, their pets, etc. " Vanessa also introduced a fun trick, "Go on a 'No what do you do question' diet. " You don't ask these routine questions that let people go on autopilot. Instead, you ask more thoughtful questions, the purpose is to create sense of belongings. *** It was enlightening to me!  First, I realized networking is something that many pe...

On New Year’s Eve, me and my friend Jason set out for a mini adventure. We went on the street and asked strangers one question, “If you could change one thing in 2018, what would you change?” We asked nine people, including a couple from San Francisco, a backpacker from Spain, a homeless artist in front of a Starbucks, a couple under Ferris Wheel, a daddy taking daughter in a chocolate shop, a fisherman by the lake, an Uber driver. We videotaped everything, and made it into a documentary. Here are six things I learned from this mini adventure: 1. We asked nine people. Nine people answered. People are nicer than you thought. Well, I can’t ensure everyone will get 100% success rate at any time :) Win people’s trust is one of my strengths. Later, Jason told me his observation: my gesture of approaching people, how I open a conversation, how I pause after asking questions, how I listen. But I still think my seemingly innocent chubby face might be the biggest successf...

You may question: wow, are you seriously trying to answer this ultimate life question? Well, nope. Today I want to share a moment when I felt "This is why life is worth living". If you know me, you know I love asking questions. Not everybody loves to answer. I get it. I have a friend, his name is Jason. Jason likes to answer questions. My questions too. He often gives thoughtful answers. The other day, I asked him, "This is a big one. Why life is worth living?" He said, "The meaning of life is in the pursuit of its meaning.". That kind of abstract philosophic answer. I didn't particularly like this answer. But I know the flaw is in the way I asked. So, I wrote him an email, shared with him this moment. After reading the email, Jason encouraged me to share this moment with my readers. So here we have this blog. *********** To: Jason This noon, I asked you an awkward question "Why life is worth living?" It...