Acclaimed app using algorithm to match you with strangers to meet for dinner arrives in Cbus

“Are your opinions usually guided by emotions and feelings, or logic and facts?”
“Do you consider yourself more of a smart person or funny person?”
“How important is spirituality to you?”
“Do you enjoy discussing politics?”
“What’s your zodiac sign?”

Those are just a few of the questions that the hot new app, Timeleft, asked me as I was signing up to see what it’s all about. The app has officially arrived in Columbus, and since it’s highly acclaimed in national publications, and reviews seem excellent, I thought I’d sign up for it.

Timeleft describes itself as a way to “free-fall into social possibilities without digital screens. Open up to the people around you without expectations. Start a conversation, spark a connection. Go out for dinner with strangers.”

Based on the questionnaire provided, the app matches you with complete strangers, encouraging you to go to a group dinner together based on some available dates you select, which are always Wednesday evenings at 7pm. It claims to pick the “best of the best” restaurants in each city, but when I got to the part where it asked me to pay the $16 to meet with 5 other matches, I chickened out.

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But of course, I did some research. On the Tuesday before your dinner, around 9 am, the app will provide some basic info about who you’re meeting, including what the people do for a living, their zodiac sign, nationality, etc. Then, on the day of your dinner, the app will tell you where you’re eating. Dinner starts at 7, but if you’ll be late, you can tell your fellow dinner companions on a chat in the app. During your dinner, the app will then suggest a bar to go to after dinner. The app also offers some icebreakers!

After dinner, you rate your fellow dinner companions. If you both give each other a “thumbs up,” you can chat with each other on the app and further your friendship.

While this app is meant to spark genuine friendships, reviews say that the algorithm has expertly matched them with romantic connections, too. Personally, my roster is full – both platonically and romantically – but I could see this being a really fun night. And even if it’s not so fun, at least you’ll have a great story to tell.

“The real distance between you and the people you don’t know is a warm ‘hello,’” said Timeleft. “Yet it feels daunting to take that first step, especially in-person. This is what Timeleft is all about. We create opportunities for the magic of chance encounters. The conversations you would have missed, the people you wouldn’t have met. Safe moments to interact with people around you so that you can be more involved with the world you live in.”

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