https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-64624991
Akansha* could feel anxiety well up inside her as she sat opposite her date. So the 26-year-old began fidgeting with the cutlery on the table and avoiding eye contact.
But then her date leaned in and told her that it was okay to be anxious, and that she could steady herself and appear less nervous by clasping her hands under the table and taking a deep breath.
The person opposite her wasn't a real date, but a "dating surrogate" - someone hired to go on mock dates with her, observe her behaviour, and share tips and insights in real time to help her deal with anything preventing her from enjoying herself.
Akansha says she turned to a dating surrogate, a service offered by the Intimacy Curator - an online platform providing "dating, relationship and intimacy coaching services" - about three months ago.
It's among a bunch of firms and apps - such as Dating Accelerator andhaveyoumeturself - that have come up in India over the past few years, pointing to a shift in the way relationships are formed and perceived in the country. While the majority of Indians still opt for arranged marriages and pre-marital intercourse is mostly a taboo subject, these companies are teaching their customers new ways to date and fall in love.
