Talking to Strangers: Washington, DC

"I had the closest girlfriends and we would do everything together..."

Katie, 30

Do you have any good ways of meeting guys in DC?
There isn't a big straight clientele at the salon where I work, but working there means there's a chance to strike up conversation with those straight guys who do come in. And a lot of the stylists have set me up with their clients.

What are you looking for?
I'm pretty open. I do have a list of things I hate, like beards. They creep me out. I just want someone who's really funny. Like that guy over there — I either want him to be my big brother, or turn straight and become my husband. I love that. All those tattoos.

Is it frustrating to be around so many good-looking men who aren't straight?
I could be disappointed that they don't like my junk, but I really enjoy talking to them.

Were you wild in college?
Yes. Really. And there are some things I miss about it — like how I was always ready to do anything. Sometimes it was risky, but sometimes it was great. I would let my guard down and make great friends. I went to a small college for women, and the girls were all really smart yet at the same time loved getting wasted and partying. 

Was there a lot of girl-on-girl?
Yes, I had my first girlfriend. A best friend who transformed into a lover, but then she got crazy. She's really, really crazy, but in a very charming way. We're both bipolar and were diagnosed around the same time. But she decided to go off her medication. She's very creative and fun, though.

Any favorite sexual memories from college?
My best friend and I liked to tag team. It almost always ended with us being really drunk and in the morning thinking, "Ugh, I can't believe I did that." But it's fun, because I was with my friend and we could make fun of the guy. It only happened a few times but it was really fun. I had the closest girlfriends and we would do everything together, and that would cross over into sexual experiences.

Should men be intimated by sexually experienced women?
No. Well... there's so little skill out there! And my last boyfriend was like, "Why don't you orgasm every time?" And I was like, "You're making this about me when a lot of this is about you. I don't mean to sound mean, but you need to brush up."

 

Luis, 27

Are you lucky in love?
I guess I'm a charming guy. That's what most ladies are attracted to, if I'm not mistaken. 

How did you get that charm?
From my good-looking father. It's sort of a tradition. 

Are you seeing anyone right now?
Yes, I've been with someone for about a year and a half. We met at a gym. She was doing yoga and I introduced myself. I really wasn't trying to hit on her, I was just interested in trying classes. But there were sparks and it continued from there.

Have you had sex anywhere unusual in DC?
Yeah, at the Wall. 

The Vietnam Memorial?!
Yeah, sorry. It was one of those nights. We got caught in the heat of the moment. It was empty with just a few tourists. You could see them from a distance, but it was pitch black out there. So fellas, just a word of advice: be romantic. Be spontaneous. 

Any other fond sexual memories?
On the metro. At two a.m. on a Saturday night. It was her idea, not mine. I'm wild, but not that wild. Hey, I'm just a man going with the flow. 

Any women you've been with who were crazy in a bad way?
I think we men make mistakes that drive women to act badly. We have to deal with the consequences of that. I do have a problem: I'm a bit of a flirt. And I do it in front of my girlfriend because I don't want to portray myself as something that I'm not.

Anything women do to make themselves attractive that actually makes them less attractive?
I don't think women need make-up. Maybe a little eyeliner, a bit of lipstick. It brings out the natural beauty. But you don't want to see someone the morning afterwards and think, "Ooh, who is that?"

 

Nicole, 28

How's the dating scene in DC?
The dating scene in DC sucks! It's the worst dating scene ever. I think what makes it terrible is the fact that there aren't many men in this city. Half of those men are gay and the other half are politicos who spend way too much time working. So it's a really morbid experience.

Who's your ideal partner?
Someone who can build a house and skin a deer. I want someone who works with his hands and has a lot of common sense. Men in DC lack common sense. 

Have you considered dating girls?
I dated a girl for two and half years. No repeats since then. I spend a lot of time around lesbians in general, because I play rollerderby and my mom's gay. I love them and they make great friends, but I gotta tell you, women are crazy. There's no way in hell I'd date a woman again. 

What about guys outside of DC?
Six years ago, I was living in Spain, and Spanish men are so much worse! Maybe I'm really picky but they're extremely sadistic and they're all mama's boys. They're supposed to be romantic and, generally speaking, European men have a better outlook when it comes to dating. But actually being in a relationship with one is a nightmare. 

Any words of advice for DC men looking to date an unconventional DC girl?
Ask her out. Don't think she's going to come to you just because you have a lot of options. Be adventurous. Don't be predictable and just do brunch. Take her to a museum. Take her to a rollerderby bout!