NYC’s most wanted!

Lifestyle

1,383 Members54,024 Posts

NYC’s most wanted!

Post Staff Report

featured

Dec 18, 2013

1 of 16

081511OnlineDaterZM40165550–1024×693.jpg

Griffin Johnston, 23, Financial District, Web developer Site: OkCupid Online for: three months. “I have friends who have tried online dating, and it seemed like a fun way to meet new people.” In his inbox: 590 messages Personal summary: “I love to cook, eat and dance. I’m also getting into pingpong. I play a couple of times a week.” First date: “I think people have an expectation that a first date is going to be a candlelit dinner, but I treat every online date like I am meeting a stranger.” Griffin says he prefers to take a girl out for coffee or a walk before committing to a full meal. High demand: “I’ve been told that girls were inundated with messages. I wasn’t expecting that to happen to me, but it did.” This is why I’m hot: “Throughout the profile I am being honest and genuine. I’m not presenting any idealized version of myself. It doesn’t look like a perfectly crafted profile — I wasn’t trying too hard, so it comes off as relaxed and confident,” says Griffin. He adds, “Quite honestly, I don’t really know why I’m getting so much attention.” Online strategy: “Browsing profiles feels a bit like a cattle call, all I have to go by are photos. If I’m interested in someone, I’ll ask her out right away. I’m not someone who likes to chat with someone for a long time.” Zandy Mangold

2 of 16

Griffin’s online profile photo

3 of 16

Alla Kellerman, 34, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, project coordinator for a technology company Site: JDate Online for: two months. “I am looking for a husband, I’m exhausted and it’s time for me to settle down.” In her inbox: 392 Personal summary: “In addition to my day job I also have my own jewelry line, which I run with a couple friends, called Jullaria. I have a large group of friends and an enormous family, so on the weekends you can always find me out at some sort of event. I work out five times a week so I can eat more. I love to eat, especially a good steak.” Dating strategy: “The first thing I do is look at the photo. If you don’t have a photo, then I won’t even click on you,” she says of her online screening process. After approving the photo, Kellerman clicks on the profile and looks at their height and their occupation: “Basically I just want to make sure they aren’t a loser. If they pass that, I’ll read the message.” Ideal date: Guys, keep it brief. “I want my dates to end right after the meal, no matter what. I don’t like to linger. A three-hour first date really gets on my last nerve. I would date more often if you could promise me it wouldn’t go over an hour.” This is why I’m hot: “I mean come on, everyone looks at the pictures. People tell me that I have beautiful smile in my profile photos.” Zandy Mangold

4 of 16

Alla’s online profile photo

5 of 16

Evan Davis, 34, Upper East Side, director of property management company Site: Match.com Online for: eight months. “It’s tough to meet people when I am working all the time.” In his inbox: 850 messages Personal summary: “I’m equally passionate about snowboarding, marathoning, photography and traveling,” says Evan. He’s run 13 marathons, eight of them this year. His favorite place to travel is Paris, and he’s visited 21 percent of all the countries in the world. The goal: the long haul. “I like to approach every date as if it is someone who I could have a serious relationship with,” he says. This is why I’m hot: “Women respond to what I wrote in my profile. I’m very raw and honest, and I said exactly what I was looking for.” High demand: “At one point, I was getting 20 or 30 messages a day. My phone started blowing up. I tried to respond to all of them, but now I only respond to someone who I feel I could have a connection with,” says Evan of his online popularity. Date spot: “I don’t have a go-to first date place. I like to take dates out to dinner, though. If it’s gotten to the point where we’ve exchanged messages and I feel a connection, I want to sit down and have a conversation over a meal.” Dream girl: Natalie Portman. “She’s attractive, smart and down to earth. She has a gorgeous smile and she’s a local New Yorker!” Zandy Mangold

6 of 16

Evan’s online profile photo

7 of 16

Stephanie Serr, 28, Astoria, Queens, audience coordinator for a television show Site: Match.com Online for: four weeks. “My best friend met her boyfriend online, so I was just curious.” In her inbox: 200 messages Personal summary: “In the summer, you’ll find me at the beach in Long Island. In the winter, I’m either at a Giants game or watching a game at a bar. When I’m just at home, I’m spending time with my 8-year-old rescue cat, Morgan.” High demand: “When I first signed up, I have to say that I was really overwhelmed. Now, I get around 10 messages a day. I am pretty picky, though. I’ve only responded to a couple of people.” Do you get more attention online or out at a bar? “It’s not more attention than a bar, it’s a different kind. When I talk to someone online, I know their background already,” she says about why she likes browsing online rather than cruising in bars. Ideal man: “I tend to gravitate to edgy types with tattoos. The past two people I’ve dated were musicians.” The goal: “I don’t really know, I just want to see what happens. If something comes from it, that’s great!” Zandy Mangold

8 of 16

Stephanie’s online profile photo

9 of 16

David Fischer, 39, Upper East Side, vice president of sales of a headwear company Site: JDate Online for: one year. “If anyone doesn’t need online dating, it’s probably me. I am always getting set up, but I’m really looking for a special connection. Online dating opens me up to meeting people outside of my social circle.” In his inbox: 334 messages Personal summary: “I’ve run 11 NYC marathons. I went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, so I’m a die-hard Badgers football and basketball fan.” The goal: “I am looking for someone to marry.” This is why I’m hot: “My pictures give off a friendly energy and a good vibe.” Ideal woman: “Every Jewish guy says their perfect woman is Natalie Portman. But in terms of celebrities, I’m attracted to Mila Kunis. I’m looking for a Cameron Diaz type who likes to be active.” High demand: “I think girls are more comfortable contacting men online,” says Fischer on why he gets a lot of messages. “I respond to about one out of 10 messages.” Zandy Mangold

10 of 16

David’s online profile photo

11 of 16

Marta Berk, 25, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, graphic designer Site: OkCupid Online for: six weeks. “I don’t really go out to bars or clubs a lot. People you meet there only want a one-night stand. Online dating is not what it used to be — people thought it was lame, but now I favor it, because you can actually get to know someone.” In her inbox: 519 messages Personal summary: “My life basically revolves around art. In my spare time, I like to paint, illustrate and travel. I tend to go on cooking and baking frenzies on the weekends. I make a really good lasagna and banana nut bread.” High demand: “I started to feel overwhelmed by the amount of messages I received, so I’ve become more selective to whom I respond. I still have a bunch of messages I didn’t get a chance to read.” This is why I’m hot: “I think initially it’s my profile photo that gets people interested. I’m not very good at writing about myself, and I don’t like long profiles, so I prefer to tell my story through photos.” Date night: “I don’t have a lot of time for dates, but I try to schedule one date a week.” Worst message: “A guy asked me to be his ‘arm-candy’ for the weekend.” Weekend routine: “I like doing random New York events on the weekend. I’ve done the Union Square pillow fight for two years now.” Would you marry someone you met online? “Yes, I actually know a few people who found their soul mate online.” Zandy Mangold

12 of 16

Marta’s online profile photo

13 of 16

Sasha Pimienta, 29, East Village. psychology resident Site: OkCupid Online for: five months. “I’m new to the city. I moved here two months ago. This is a good way to meet new people.” In her inbox: 783 Personal summary: “I’m looking to find a long-term relationship. I’m looking for someone who will explore the city with me, especially new restaurants.” Dream man: “My perfect guy would be Javier Bardem,” she says. “I like guys who are tall, dark and handsome but a little scruffy and not too polished.” First date: “I like the guy to pick the place for a first date. It would be great if it were a small, quaint lounge where we could have some cocktails and talk.” Best message: “In one of my profile photos, I am at a Kentucky Derby party and wearing a silly hat. A guy sent me a message that said ‘So, did that hat bring you good luck at the Derby?’ I thought it was a great conversation starter and showed me he took an interest in my profile.” This is why I’m hot: “I don’t lay it all out there so it may intrigue them to want to learn more. I like to give people just a snapshot of who I am, not the full picture.” High demand: “It’s pretty surprising,” she says of her online popularity. “I felt like I was getting a lot of messages, so I compared with my friends. They were getting 30 messages a week, while I was getting hundreds.” Online strategy: “I usually let the guys message me first.” Zandy Mangold

14 of 16

Sasha’s online profile photo

15 of 16

Angela Boswell, 29, Astoria, Queens, fashion designer Site: Match.com Online for: three weeks. “I have so many friends that have had good results, so I thought I would give it a try.” In her inbox: 100 messages The goal: “I’m not looking for a fling, but beyond that I try not to have any expectations.” Personal summary: “I work for a jewelry company, and I have my own line of hair accessories called Buyer’s Remorse.” This is why I’m hot: “My profile is pretty straightforward and a little sarcastic. I probably seem relatable to a lot of people. I also have a unique style, so that probably makes me stand out a little.” High demand: “I do get overwhelmed by the amount of messages I receive. I have to delete a lot of strange messages just to get to the few who seem normal.” Oddest message: “Someone who was very old and scary-looking wanted me to meet him and his cat. He thought we would have a lot in common.” First date: “After sending messages back and forth, I like to text a little before agreeing to meet up,” says Boswell. “For a first date, I wouldn’t want a full dinner, just because if I’m not gelling with someone I don’t want to be stuck there. I think a great first date would be doing something outside.” Do you get more attention online or out at a bar? “I wouldn’t say I get more attention online, but I like to think the quality of person is better. I think people who are online are looking for more than just a hookup.” Zandy Mangold

16 of 16

Angela’s online profile photo

Sex & Relationships

Comments

Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy