‘I want a guy who can maintain a positive attitude doing anything.’
Be prepared to work your body and your mind. Whether it’s for a night of sweaty dancing on the Lower East Side or a heated political debate, you better bring your A game.
Perhaps rebelling from an overly sheltered childhood, Seema – whose mom might call her “crazy and unfocused” for pursuing a master’s degree in urban policy instead of law or medicine – is all about undiscovered NYC. “I’m usually game to try new and unconventional things,” the 23-year-old says.
Vain, insecure men, step aside: Seema’s looking for a man who’s comfortable with himself, no matter what that may be. “Someone who’s not afraid to be different is sexy,” she says, “and I don’t mean that in an ‘accepted’ or ‘cool’ type of different.”
“For me, fun is spontaneous,” Seema says. You don’t need to flex a lot of plastic to impress, either – egoism is a pet peeve. “An ideal date begins with a casual meal at one of my favorite spots, like Grimaldi’s, before a night on the town,” she says.
Hey. What’s your sign?
She learns the gospel from street sages. “I openly flirt with taxi drivers to learn about ways of living that I will never get to experience,” she says.
Jean, 23, student
Describe yourself: I’m motivated, loving life, loud, passionate, intellectual, spiritual, physical and balanced. Your idea of fun? Exploring the city.
People’s first impressions of you? That I’m confident, outgoing and conservative.
Ideal date? A twilight cruise on the East River around Manhattan. We’d talk under the moonlight, wine, dine and dance the night away.
Best way for someone to get you to go home with her? The fastest way would be if she offered me a home-cooked meal.
What would your ex say about you? That I’m caring, loving and a good friend to her. She would also say that I go the extra mile to please her, which, according to her, is both a good and bad thing.
Robert, 25, client services associate
Describe yourself: I have the energy of a 14-year-old but speak like a 40-year-old. I read a lot and watch a lot of educational television, so I have a lot to talk about, but I’m also a very good listener.
What’s attractive? Nothing is sexier than confidence. I also don’t remember the last time I saw a woman in a little black dress and heels that I didn’t find sexy.
What’s fun? I love clubbing, breakfast at 4 a.m., late movies and other things that are part of NYC nightlife.
What do people find surprising about you? As a young black man, I’m expected to have completely liberal political views, but I just don’t work that way. I don’t make up my mind on an issue before I examine it. I have no problem with people who disagree with me as long as they’re respectful and can agree to disagree.
Jared, 24, pastry chef Describe yourself: I like to joke about almost anything, but at the same time I can have a deep conversation. I’m the type of person who likes to party hard when I party and work hard when I work. I like to think I’m a genuinely honest person with a warm sense of humor.
What’s attractive? Long hair, confidence, ambition, feminine demeanor.
Ideal date? We would have mad fun, laugh, be spontaneous – we’d go anywhere that suits the situation.
Guilty pleasure? Any kind of music: hip-hop, R&B, rock, jazz, classical, even some country.
Your idea of fun? I can have fun doing anything – movies, boat rides, parties, arcades – as long as I’m with the right person.