Smart Girl Dumb Questions How Much Would You Pay for Love? with Matchmaker Maria Avgitidis
Nov 11, 2025
Maria Avgitidis, a fourth-generation matchmaker and founder of Agape Match, dives into the fascinating economics of love. She explores the 12 Date Rule and why texting falls short in dating. Maria discusses the real costs of matchmaking, revealing insights into client expectations and power dynamics. She emphasizes the importance of conflict resolution and even suggests an unusual IKEA test for couples. With a rich family history in matchmaking, Maria shares her thoughts on modern dating—including the best matchmakers being community members rather than friends.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Count Real Interactions Not Text
- Treat phone calls, FaceTime, and short in-person meetups as real dates and count them toward getting to know someone.
- Avoid equating texting with dating because texting "doesn't count" for emotional compatibility.
Delay Intimacy Until Emotional Fit
- Use the 12-date method to judge emotional compatibility before physical intimacy.
- Aim to be intentional and measure reactions in real interactions over roughly two and a half weeks.
Price Buys Access And Bandwidth
- Matchmaking fees reflect recruiter bandwidth and access to willing people, not payment for dates.
- High fees ($25k–$150k) buy access, screening, and the matchmaker's limited client capacity.
