Meetmele

Meetmele is a fictional social platform designed to connect people for shared meals in local venues. The service emphasizes casual sociability and cultural exchange by matching users who wish to dine together at cafes, community kitchens, or private homes, with hosts who organize the meals. The platform is commonly styled in lowercase as meetmele.

Concept and history: Meetmele was conceived in 2018 by a multidisciplinary team of researchers and software developers in Berlin, aiming to reduce social isolation and promote neighborhood interaction. A closed pilot ran in several European cities in 2019, followed by a broader public beta in 2020 and a wider launch in 2021. The project is coordinated by a small nonprofit organization, with volunteer moderators and regional coordinators.

Features and operation: Users create profiles with optional interests, dietary preferences, and meal goals. Hosts schedule meals by location and date, set capacity, and describe the dining format. Attendees browse listings, RSVP, and pay if required through integrated payments. Safety features include identity verification options, host reviews, and a reporting system for harassment. Privacy controls let users limit sharing of exact location and meal details, and participants can opt into or out of public visibility.

Platform and reception: Meetmele is available on web and mobile apps for iOS and Android. It has a niche user base primarily in urban areas and is used by community groups, language exchanges, and food-focused clubs. Analysts note potential benefits for social well-being but caution about data privacy and the need for robust moderation and clear community guidelines.