Most people have been there, trapped on an awkward date that is going nowhere. But relief could be on the way with a new app that provides an incoming rescue call.<\/p>\n
The Bad Date Rescue app, which was launched by the dating website eHarmony.com this week, lets users arrange for a call to appear on their iPhone to graciously allow them to bow out if a date isn’t going well.<\/p>\n
“There are all sorts of reasons for why people would want to get out of a date,” said Arvind Mishra, director of product management at eHarmony. “We can all sympathize because we have all been on bad dates in our lifetime.”<\/p>\n
The free app includes several ways to set up a rescue. Users can pick a number from their address book for the call, for example from their mother or a friend. It the person’s picture is stored on the app it will appear on the screen when the call comes through.<\/p>\n
Scripts are available giving the reason for the call, such as a neighbor calling about a leaky pipe; a mother informing that a sister just had a baby; or a boss saying he needs help immediately.<\/p>\n
“It graciously allows you to play along and to get out of that situation,” Mishra explained.<\/p>\n
The free app can be pre-set before the date to call at a specific time and there is a quick rescue that can be triggered on the spot to ring in a few seconds or minutes.<\/p>\n
“There are all sorts of reasons for why people want to get out of a date. We are helping them do it in a way that is fun and light and not abrupt,” he added.<\/p>\n
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