Already celebrated in the UK, USA, Australia, and various European countries, Timeleft has now arrived in Singapore and Malaysia, its first two Asian markets.
Originated in France in 2023, Timeleft is on a mission to combat urban loneliness in large cities. But those who sign up must be clear of one thing: this is not a dating app, nor is it an app for networking.
In July, Timeleft launched in Kuala Lumpur, introducing a fun way to meet new people.
The simplicity of these dinners is the allure: first, participants complete a quiz when registering on the app so that they can be matched with a group of five to six people. You only discover the dinner venue on the day of the event, and then, well, you show up.
If you’re curious about what to expect and whether it’s worth the experience, read on. Two members of FMT Lifestyle recently attended a Timeleft dinner, and are spilling the beans about their experience.
So, it starts like this: You download the app, fill in some basic details, and then answer a quiz designed to gauge your personality. The quiz includes questions like, “Are your decisions usually guided by logic and facts or emotions and feelings?”
It’s these answers which the algorithm uses to place you in a group of people most compatible with you.
Once you’ve paid for the dinner, by Tuesday night, you receive a notification revealing a few details about the people at your table, such as their occupation and zodiac signs. However, their names and genders remain hidden until the great reveal the next day.
On Wednesday morning, you’ll receive the location of the restaurant you’ll be dining at based on the general location you selected earlier.
Now for the actual dinner. Like most conversations among strangers, there’s a little introduction and some small talk.
The best part of the experience, which really makes the dinner engaging, are the icebreaker questions on the app.
The questions increase in complexity, from simple questions like: “What was the strangest dish you have had recently?” to deeper topics like: “Would you say humanity is progressing for the better or regressing in some ways?”
These questions keep the conversation flowing, preventing awkward silences. Plus, you can always put the app away and segue into an entirely different conversation of your own.
Speaking of their algorithm, Timeleft really nailed the match of individuals at the dinner that FMT Lifestyle attended.
At the table was a journalist, a human rights activist, a recruiter, and someone in finance. Talk about diversity! And when it came to personalities, everyone got along perfectly.
Kimberley Kiew, country manager of Timeleft in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, shared her insights on this unique concept.
“Making the most out of the time that you have left on earth. That’s the ideology behind how Timeleft came about,” she said.
“When people hang out with the friends they’ve known all their lives, the conversations are familiar. It’s always about the past, and they find it challenging to create new memories. It’s a great feeling to meet people who are there with blank slates.”
While there are various social apps in the world, Kiew explained that Timeleft is different. “This is not about networking. You don’t need to showcase your skills or intellect. You’re there to connect as a person with another person.”
Kiew admitted that many participants are there for the benefit of their mental health.
According to a global survey, about 33% of adults experience feelings of loneliness worldwide. “The Timeleft experience helps people emotionally and encourages them to get out of the house in our predominantly digital world,” she said.
So think about it: if you’re feeling somewhat bored or lonely, that might be your sign to jump on Timeleft so you can say: “I just had a fabulous time with a bunch of total strangers.”