Harry, 71

What lessons have you learned about love from your days on the stoop?
I used to sit on the stoop and watch everyone walk by. That’s how I met my ex-wife. I saw her sometimes, and we wanted to be together, but her parents kept her inside the apartment – she was an only child, and they were very strict. I’d see her cousin, and say, “Tell your cousin to come downstairs so I can see her.” Then her cousin would come back and say, “She told me to tell you to go to hell.” I got her downstairs finally. My cousin had a room two buildings down, and he said I could use it. Believe me, I did. That’s how she got pregnant. I was nineteen; she was seventeen.

How much PDA is too much PDA?
That, I wouldn’t do. It’s not nice. Don’t go out in the park or on the streets kissing. There’s kids out there in public. Do it in the house where you live at.

If I'm hanging out on the stoop and I see a beautiful woman walk by, what's the best way to let her know? Do catcalls ever work?
Give respect. Always give respect to a lady. I see guys all the time getting fresh with a lady. How do you know that lady’s not married or something like that? Give a lady respect. She’s coming home from work or something. She’s got a family. I don’t want some woman coming around the corner, bringing her husband to beat my brains out. Heck no!

My boyfriend and I have a great relationship, but lately, we've been having less sex. What do you think might be going on? How can I kick our sex life back into gear?
Here’s what you do: go to a party or a dance. Or you can go to a bar – wait, no, don’t go to no bar. Both of you have fun. If you drink, don’t drink too much. If you both get that feeling dancing and going on and you really care for each other, come on home and get in bed. And then play Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and all them.

My new boyfriend is friends with his ex, and it's starting to bother me. What can I do to keep an eye on him without seeming too possessive and jealous?
I think people should go their separate ways after they end their relationship. Keep in touch and see how they’re doing if they’re sick or something happens in their family. You can ask how they’re doing in their new life and all that mess, but move on.

A girl who casually dated one of my friends recently asked me out. Would it ruin my friendship if I said yes?
If I were your friend, I wouldn’t want to be in your company if you dated someone I used to be with. If something happened like that to me, I’d rather just find a new person who doesn’t know my friend. My friend and I used to drink together every day. When I divorced my ex-wife, she married him. They had one son together and then they separated. That goes to show you it’s not right.

So, “bros before hos”?
I’m not too familiar with that saying. But I wouldn’t fall in love with my friend’s girlfriend.

I really want to try sex in public, but I'd really rather not get caught. Any tips for a good first-time spot?
Oh, man. I have to take two Anacin when I go back in the house. Only have sex where you pay the rent. You don’t do it in public. I go to Central Park everyday where young kids are hugging up when they’re supposed to be in school. It’s a disgrace. If they’re skipping school, and their parents are going to work, they should go back to the apartment when the parents leave. Make babies at home.