How busy corporate singles squeeze dating into their crazy 9-to-9 workdays

A couple of weeks ago, during one of those rare mid-day breathers at work—the kind where you step out for five minutes and somehow spiral into a full-blown life audit—a friend at work casually asked how my dating life was going. I chuckled. Not because it’s a thrilling tale of meet-cutes and mysterious strangers (spoiler: it’s not), but because it’s both tragic and hilarious.

Between 11-to-9 workdays, constant meetings, and endless task lists that often spill into the weekend, there’s barely enough time to get a haircut, let alone meet a potential partner. Some nights, even replying to a “hey, what's up :)” on a dating app feels like a full-time job with no benefits.

Now don’t get me wrong—dating apps do exist. But putting your love life in the hands of an algorithm is like attending a team-building workshop and hoping for real emotional intimacy. You log in, swipe, overanalyse bios, and somehow end up having a conversation about zodiac signs with a guy who thinks “opening up” means showing you his Spotify Wrapped.

Here’s what they had to say.

“Looking for love… at my chai tapri.”—Candice, 22, Analyst

“When the corporate chaos gets too real, I sometimes treat dating apps like a quick mental vacation. Five swipes in, I realise Excel sheets are actually less exhausting than bios that say ‘here for a good time, not a long time.’ At this point, I’m just hoping for a rom-com-style meet-cute at my local chai tapri. Maybe one day my masala chai will come with a side of meet-cute magic.”

“My office reception is the new Bumble BFF.”—Simran, 27, Head of Marketing

“I like to call them to my office reception first—like a corporate audition. My work besties do a silent vibe check, and then I decide if they get promoted to an actual date. Honestly, it gives me all the control—and I love it.”

“With my crazy schedule, I keep dates simple—coffee between meetings or quick dinner after work. If they can’t handle a 45-minute speed date, it’s a red flag. Efficiency is key, even in dating!”

“No ghosting, just calendar invites.”—Priya, 29, Marketing Manager

“I treat dating like a project with tight deadlines—meaning I schedule it in my calendar like a meeting. No ghosting, just strict time management. Swipe left on anything that eats into my sleep!” 

“It’s not a date, it’s networking with benefits.”—Aditya, 32, Sales Director

“My secret? Casual post-work happy hours. Nothing heavy, just drinks and laughs with whoever shows up. If sparks fly, great. If not, at least it’s networking with benefits.” 

“Our first date was at a museum. Zero regrets.”—Hitarth, 31, Brand Strategist

“Weekends are my dating lifeline. I’m not about complicated plans—one time, I convinced a date to join me for a spontaneous museum visit, and we ended up having the best conversations surrounded by art. Turns out, low-key and simple beats fancy dinners any day.”

“Every dinner is a disguised ‘business mixer.’”—Rishi, 29, Sales Consultant

“I've started inviting dates to ‘networking events,’ which are really just excuses for dinner and drinks. Everyone loves a ‘business mixer,’ and it’s a perfect cover for some casual flirting.”

Lead image: Netflix

Also read: The truth about dating red flags you’re secretly ignoring

Also read: 30 indoor date ideas for couples when you don't feel like going outside