Talking to Strangers
Nerve asks deeply personal questions to people we just met.

 

Liam, 22

What do you do for a living?
I'm a travel agent.

What kind of girls does that get you?
Uh... usually foreign ones. Believe it or not.

Favorite nationality?
U.S. girls and Canadian girls.

You're on holiday right now?
We got here on Wednesday, from Australia.

So you're starting in New York, and then what?
Boston tomorrow, and then down south to New Orleans and then across to Austin, Las Vegas, San Diego, and L.A.

So are you looking to hook up with women while you're traveling?
Yes!

Being Australian will probably help.
I hope so. I've been to the States before and it helped last time. I didn't actually close the deal, but it definitely helped. I was traveling with a guy who was a lot older than me and was married, so it was a little bit harder. Usually the girls I was talking to would have a friend and he'd be like, "I'm married."

So if you're interested in a girl, how do you make it happen?
[Paul: "He doesn't, really."] Ha ha, I don't, yeah. No, it's true. I'm not big on taking the initial action. Usually a lot of alcohol helps. An Australian accent generally helps.

Has a woman ever told you that it's specifically because you're Australian that her underwear's off?
No. That hasn't happened specifically, no. Oh wait — yeah, actually, that has happened once. A girl, a customer at work, a Canadian girl.

She said it was because you were Australian?
Yeah. Which is funny, because we were in Australia, so you'd think she could have had her pick of most anyone.

 

Paul, 21

What do you do, Paul?
I'm a paramedic.

That's kind of an exciting, dangerous job, right?
It is. Not so dangerous, but it is exciting.

Do you find women are impressed by your paramedic work?
More so than being a travel agent.

Have you ever gotten a woman because of the paramedic work?
Girls from work, yeah. It's usually after-work drinks.

That's usually how it happens. What sort of ladies do you like?
The initial physical attraction is one thing, but then once you get talking to someone, you want someone who can hold a conversation. In Australia, we're big on a sense of humor, so someone who can take a joke.

What are paramedic girls like?
They're outgoing, generally. It comes with the line of work. They're more vocal.

Are there any stereotypes about Australian guys?
From mates who have traveled here before, I've heard it's pretty easy with the ladies.

Ladies like accents.
I'm hoping that that works in my favor.

Yeah. Are you single while you're here?
Yeah, I am. Sort of.

Wait, what does that mean? You said, "Sort of."
I've got a girl back home, but we've just hooked up a couple of times. We're not really going out. So, I'm single, yeah.

Do you have a game plan?
Definitely play up the Australian side of things. Definitely milk it for all it's worth. I say "dingo."

 

Erika, 21

What do you do?
I go to school.

What kind of guys do you like?
I like athletes, personally.

Any particular sport?
No.

Bowling?
Bowling? I like. Big bowlers, I love 'em.

If you like a guy, how do you let him know?
Normally I don't go out of my way to tell them.

So they go out of their way to talk to you?
Oh, God, well, that sounds bad, but yeah.

Are you from around here?
I'm from upstate.

Are guys in the city different from guys upstate?
Yeah, I'd say they're more cultured.

Do you have any crazy ex-boyfriends?
Oh yeah, yes!

What happened? That was a very strong yes.
He's texting me right now.

He's texting you right now?
He's somewhat of a stalker. He likes to know what I'm up to, and he always wants to come over.

How long ago did you stop dating?
Two or three years ago. I had a boyfriend for two and a half years after him, so I think he should have gotten the hint, but I guess he never did.