An affair to remember? Or companionship

Solène Paillet of the first dating website for married people tells Asmita Sarkar that there are a number of reasons why Indian women are open to new encounters post-marriage like tying the knot at an early age, inability to deal with changes in life, physical dissatisfaction, married to the wrong person for wrong reasons, financial dissatisfaction and more

Ever after, till death do us part, together for seven births, in sickness and in health — these are usually the clichès that we keep hearing when marriage is discussed. But relationships in general and marriage in particular have undergone a drastic change in recent times, thanks in no small measure to dating apps.

Gleeden, the first extra-marital dating website for married people who want the solace of companionship, recently did a recce of the Indian market. The French based company’s head of communications (and manager of the all women team), Solène Paillet describes in detail the reasons why women find it hot to cheat.

• You seem to indicate that women have overcome the taboo of open relationships...

We don’t want to “change” the Indian society in any way. The idea is just to raise a debate and to overcome the taboo of open relationships where the larger population still struggles under the societal pressure and traditions. We are not promoting adultery but it is only a service which allows married people (or a couple) to connect and to interact on a secured platform in complete privacy, with moderation and customer service 24x7.

• Why have you forayed into the Indian market?

We are the leaders for extra-marital dating in Europe and prominent worldwide with more than $4 million members inclusive of three lakh Indian users. We are expecting it to be as successful in India as it is everywhere else in the world. Our goal is to get very good brand awareness, being the extramarital expert and become a unique player in the market.

• What are the safety measures that you have adopted considering e-dating has its own perils? What about stalking?

Our moderation policy is the most stringent in the e-dating market. It consistently moderates its members, from registration to profile approval and throughout the duration of every individual’s use of the services. Photos and texts that are fake, indecent or provocative are automatically refused. The moderation is effective immediately and members can be banned from the site if they do not respect the regulations. Users can also report abuse from other members.

• Things to remember when a relationship struggles due to a communication gap

Even when you think that there is nothing you can do for your relationship, there is always a way to communicate with your partner. You have to know how to defuse the taboos of your relationship to find a more serene relationship. It can also help to talk to people outside the relationship, to have other points of view, take a step back and question yourself.

Actually, many members come on our platform to find answers to their questions, to talk to people who face the same issues in their relationship. And finally it is a way for them to reconnect with their partner.

• What are the reasons Indian women are open to new encounters post marriage?

Extra-marital affair edges its way when the distance between a couple starts to become larger. The heart tends to give signals about looking for love outside marriage.

There could be n number of reasons why Indian women are open to new encounters post marriage like marrying at an early age, inability to deal with changes or situations in life, physical dissatisfaction, married to the wrong person for wrong reasons, financial dissatisfaction and many more.