An international English training school teamed up with the Shanghai Charity Foundation to hold a peculiar and controversial charity auction for needy and disabled children in Shanghai on April 6.

 

The 23 prizes up for bidding at the EF Life Club auction were neither goods nor courses, but a chance to "date" one of 23 foreigners, most of whom are native English speakers teaching at English First Education.

 

With cocktail attire required and hors d'oeuvres served, the party-like dating auction attracted about 200 EF students and walk-in white collar workers at the downtown Hong Kong New World Tower.

 

The 23 dates were auctioned off for a total value of 20,300 yuan (US$2,630). A senior adviser with KPMG named Paul topped the bidding, going for 3,000 yuan.

 

Those who won the bidding were granted an opportunity to spend an evening out with their "purchase."

 

English First Education will also sponsor dating activities including dinner at a five-star hotel or a dancing class.

 

All money raised will be donated to the Shanghai Charity Foundation to help needy children with their education and medical care, organizers said.

 

"Our charity auction event provides participants a unique but interesting approach to improve their English (by practicing with foreigners)," said Irene Tieh, career service and corporate relations director with EF China.

 

However, the event triggered a mixed response among some white collar workers.

 

"It sounds like an interesting idea," said Chen Min, 26, a male computer engineer. "But foreigners are everywhere in the city, why are these guys worth a high price to date?"

 

Tao Yun, a male office worker, 36, said that private dating with foreigners suggested dubious conduct. He said it was improper for a training institute to promote the auction in such a public way.

 

(Shanghai Daily April 9, 2007)