Talking to Strangers

Nerve asks deeply personal questions to people we just met.

Bennett, 20

What do you do for a living?
I am a student and I work in a doctor's office, as well.

Does that get you chicks?
Not really, once I tell them what my position is. I'm a front-office receptionist.

Where's the craziest place you've had sex?
I've had sex outside, in a park.

Here?
In Austin, Texas. [Friend: "You're a park-fucker!"]

Park-whore! Park-fucker! I don't know what that means. What's the craziest thing you've done to get laid?
I don't know. People I've had sex with, I've always been dating or been with long time. So I've never really had to try. I've always been very blunt with it. I've bitten my gf before, I've told her "We're going home!" It's never been subtle — give her a few drinks. That's the best I got for ya.

What's the hottest thing a girl's ever done for you?
I had this girl, and to my understanding, maybe you'll have to correct me, but a lot of girls when they wear dresses, don't wear underwear. I mean, sometimes. Is that fair? Maybe not in New York. This girl I dated. She would rub my hand on her hip, to show me there was nothing there. So that's cool.

Lauren, 19

Are you from New York?
No, I'm from Florida. The guys here are more aggressive. Guys will use their status and money as a way to attract girls. We'll be out and thirty-five-year olds will be like "Hey, beautiful." I just walk away.

What's the craziest place you've had sex?
The beach. We were on a lifeguard tower.

Do people do that kind of stuff all the time in Florida?
We don't have bonfires, like the movies portray, but people will go out at night and smoke or drink. There aren't a lot of people around.

If you like a guy, how do you show him that you like him?
I play the whole hanging-out-with-the-guys trick. A lot of my friends are guys just because they're drama-free. Nothing sexual, guys are just easier to hang out with. If you can hang with guys and do guy things, guys will like that.

Will you play videogames when you're the only girl in the room?
Yeah, if I know I'm good at the videogame. I won't embarrass myself.

What's the hottest thing a guy has ever done for you?
My ex-boyfriend wrote me a song, it was pretty hot. He played guitar and piano. It was about us — it was for Valentine's Day, actually. He did it twenty-four hours beforehand, so it was shitty but it was meaningful.

Romano, 26

What do you do for a living?
I'm an artist and I do mostly fashion styling, but I also write and sing. So I'm tired.

Does that ever get you laid?
Yeah. I can definitely say I have a nice sex life. [Friend: "Is this some kind of HIV prevention?"] By the way, before I respond, always have safe sex. Uh, yeah, I can say that.

What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get laid?
Oh, gosh. I've never done anything to get laid. Being yourself is the best way to get what you want. Being a cheerleader is what usually works for me. I'm very cheery, very happy, have a lot of personality.

What do you think the hottest thing someone's ever done for you is?
I love exotic dancing. I'm obsessed with strippers. So skin and thongs. I'm definitely obsessed with skin and dancing on top of tables. Go-go boys and all that. Muscles and thongs always go good together.

Have you ever been on a really good or bad date?
Definitely bad dates. You get somewhere and sit down at a dinner table and you pick up the menu, and you're directed on what to order. That's a bad date. I just ordered mozzarella sticks. I was on a date with... I can't even say. He says, "Okay, so you can go ahead and order something from the appetizer list. This range is what you can order. I'm going to have this cheeseburger with this, this, and this." It's like, I'll take the mozzarella sticks to go!