MSN has an interesting article on the lengths that some people will go to in order to get a date:

The process at First Impressions is simple, but has an almost cloak-and-dagger feel to it.

Clients are told they will meet their “date” at a stylish cafe in New York’s Soho area. The date will be sitting alone, reading a copy of The New York Times. If you are a boy, you are told your date's name is Susan Green. You are told she is single and lives in the area. She likes film, travel and painting. You are to assume that she's roughly your age and that you find her attractive. As the client, the onus is on you to approach her, introduce yourself and pick up the tab at the cafe.

Afterward, your date — actually a First Impressions consultant with an advanced degree in psychology — reveals her real name, describes what kind of impression was made and makes suggestions for improvements.

I was lucky to have pretty much stumbled upon Eel (with some help from Kevin and Callie, of course). The same was true for Anna. To walk up to someone I don't know and try to pick them up is something that I've never really had the gumption to do. I've tried on a couple of occasions, but most encounters have been by pure chance.

To walk up to someone knowing that I'm going to get a critique instead of a date is downright impossible for me to fathom.

Man, I'm glad not to be single.