David messaged his piano piano concierge, "Mount St. Restaurant? For three next Friday at 7.30pm?" Within minutes, his table for three was confirmed for 7:30 PM.
Across London, Aisha's phone buzzed with a notification: "Companion table available at Mount St. Restaurant this Friday, 7:45 PM." She smiled, quickly messaging her three girlfriends who'd been wanting an excuse to dress up.
That evening, both groups enjoyed their separate tables, positioned thoughtfully not too far away but not too close to each other. Within ten minutes of David and Aisha being in proximity of each other, they each received a discreet notification: "There's a piano piano member nearby."
No pressure, no forced interaction – just two groups of friends enjoying excellent food and company, with the simple knowledge that an opportunity for connection existed if either felt inclined to take it.
a tale of two tables - a piano piano reservation
by francesca, founder
Scenario 1
After receiving the notification, David glances around the restaurant, spotting Aisha and her friends laughing at a nearby table. Intrigued, he waits for a natural moment, then approaches to say hello and ask if she'd like to connect on the app. Aisha, appreciating his respectful approach, agrees. David scans Aisha's app, knowing she has 12 hours to decide if she wants to match.
Throughout the evening, they steal glances and smiles, the anticipation building. The next morning, Aisha takes a moment to reflect on their brief encounter. She recalls David's warm smile and gentle demeanor, and decisively taps "Accept" on the match. David, delighted by the notification, enthusiastically begins a conversation with her, leading to a real date planned for the following week. All because piano piano brought them to the same place at the same time, with an organic opportunity to connect
Scenario 2
Despite the proximity notification, neither David nor Aisha feel compelled to approach the other. They' spend the evening enjoying the company of their friends, the ambiance and excellent food. The evening passes pleasantly for both groups, with no interaction between them.
And that's okay. piano piano isn't about forcing connections, but rather creating possibilities. Not every proximity notification needs to lead to a life-changing encounter. Sometimes, it's just about being open to serendipity while living your life. David and Aisha may not have connected this time, but thanks to piano piano, they both had a great night out with the knowledge that an intriguing opportunity was there if they wanted it. They also didn't waste any time as they enjoyed the evening with their friends.
Scenario 3
Aisha and her friends can't quite keep their eyes off the table that David is sitting at waiting for the moment he approaches but he never does. Aisha, despite being encouraged by her friends, doesn't quite feel comfortable making the first move herself.
After the bill is paid, she finds herself feeling a tinge of disappointment despite having a lovely evening with her girlfriends.
The next day, Aisha's phone buzzes with a notification from piano piano: "A member you were near last night, would like to connect." Her heart skips a beat. So he was interested! She feels a mix of excitement and regret – if only one of them had been brave enough to say hello in the moment.
He apologises for not approaching her, explaining that he wasn't sure if it was the right moment. They bond over their shared nerves and laugh about the serendipity of piano piano bringing them together after all.
There are multiple scenarios that could happen after David and Aisha receive a notification on their phone. We've described three scenarios...
what happens next?
what does the notification show?
The notification will open the piano piano app and show you a selfie of the members who are nearby.
can i view the profile of the member?
No - there is no profile. All you will be able to see is a selfie of the member that has been taken within the last 4 hours. The intention of the selfie is simply to help you identify them. piano piano believes in proximity and attraction which is why no other information is provided.
what do you do if you can't see the person in the selfie?
There may be a situation where you aren't able to find the person in the selfie however they are in the restaurant. We therefore suggest you take a trip to the toilets to see if you can spot them. If you are still not able to find them and they are not able to find you then you will need to notify piano piano. Since the app is being launched in private preview, we will be using this period to learn and to optimise the app so your feedback is important.
Why is there a 12-hour delay for confirming connections?
The 12-hour window removes the pressure to make an instant decision allowing the person to consider your interaction. This thoughtful approach allows the person being approached time to digest the interaction. Research has indicated that what may be an instant 'No' can change to a 'Yes' after some thought. So, perhaps over the course of the twelve hour period what may have been an immediate no may turn into an approved connection. In addition, the 12-hour decision delay may minimise the risk of in-person rejection for the person approaching.
Can I use Piano Piano if I’m shy or nervous about approaching people?
Absolutely. piano piano is designed to reduce the anxiety of real-life introductions - it is the perfect dating app for introverts. The app’s values of respect and kindness encourages members to approach others in a way that is polite and thoughtful. And remember, just because you approach someone doesn’t mean they need to make a decision on the spot - all you need to say is, "Hi, I saw you on the piano piano app - can we connect?" You don't need to think of what to say - that's what you need to say. Given the community of piano piano members are kind and respectful, you will be welcomed with warmth and a willing to connect on the app.
answers to all the questions you're dying to ask
Alternatively, feel free to contact us and we'll answer any question you may have.