” shadchanim are overwhelmed, overworked and underpaid,”
MOST DEFINATELY!
I might add totally under appreciated and frequently abused (verbally)/
It’s high time shadchanim started getting paid for their work even if it doesn’t end in a shidduch.
Suggestion: After three dates each side should give $150 and %50 per date for each further date. If they end up getting engaged a additional gift would be appropriate.
HOWEVER
this all being said the boys still seem to be getting married relatively qucikly and thus this point is only very SLIGHTLY related to the shidduch crisis. After all someone is making the shidduchim….