Case Study: Online Dating in NYC
My date sat across from me, dressed cleanly in a dress shirt and slacks. He fidgeted with his cold beer, paused and asked me what I like to do on the weekends. I pushed my glass of beer slightly, decided this date was going nowhere and answered his question.
I prepared myself to excuse myself and cut the date short when he said, “you’re my first date”.
“First date on the app?” I clarified, pushing my phone into my purse.
“No, my first date. Ever,” he answered.
I stopped and looked at him again.
I was this twenty nine year old’s first date. I was the first person he’s going on a date with, I replayed over and over. I was incredulous. I have to make this a good experience for him, I quickly decided and sat back down.
I found a unicorn in New York City.
He asked me how online dating was in the city. What a question.
If I could have visually shown him what online dating looked like in one of the biggest metropolitan cities in the world, it would be me standing in front of him with battle scars and a Vietnam-esque war zone in the background. It’s a fucking warzone out here, with feelings as hostages, ghosting and freezing as weapons.
