Do I have to be prepared to meet people like that Ibaraki ronin-looking guy? Is there no way to find out beforehand or turn them down in advance?

This is Saito, a columnist and active male member. A “fallen samurai” from Ibaraki who doesn’t pay anything… I can understand how you feel. That said, I sometimes get the chance to see male members at events, and I’ve never seen anyone quite as extreme as him. Once, at a dinner party hosted by another dating club, I saw someone who came relatively close to that “fallen samurai” look. He was wearing a baggy sweater with a teddy bear embroidered on it, had an unsettling vibe, and strong body odor. None of the other women spoke to him, and he sat alone, quietly drinking champagne. Curious, I went over and spoke to him, only to learn that he had made a considerable amount of money through FX trading. I caught a glimpse of a titanium card when he paid the membership fee, so I figured it was probably true. “The dating club here is a scam. Every woman I meet just has tea with me, takes the transportation money, and leaves.” After hearing him say that, I thought, “Women really can tell the difference,” and mentioned it to the dating club’s organizer. They simply replied, “There’s nothing we can do because it’s free love.” I’m not sure whether this answers your question, but while it’s important to be prepared to put up with certain things, I also think it’s important to be prepared to say no—and to refuse to go to a private room.