If you’re like me, your college experience was (or currently is) filled with many trips to a coffee shop–whether that means the standard Starbucks on every campus, or the funky local joint that was unique to your school.

Between study sessions, first dates, meetings with professors, or catching up with a girlfriend I hadn’t seen in awhile due to crazy schedules, there was always a reason to meet for coffee.

Because coffee is such a central part of my life, any new stories or research relating to it peaks my interest. My personal favorites are the health reports that suggest coffee may actually be good for you because it makes me feel okay about my obsession. But, on a recent perusing of Slate.com, I came across a new take on coffee culture that never even crossed my mind: Who gets better service at coffee shops, males or females?

The first thing that ran through my mind was, is there really a difference? I mean, making coffee-related drinks is pretty straightforward, so why would one gender get better service than the other? Apparently, there is a bit of a discrepancy.

An economist in the Boston area and her students staked out eight different coffee shops and watched how long it took men to get served compared to women. She found that men get their coffee 20 seconds before women. Read More »

One thing we all secretly want when we move somewhere new is to find some new boys to date.

Well, I have some bad news for you guys, New York might be the worst place in the world to find someone to date.

A good friend of mine always says, “Dating in New York should be like being a kid in a candy shop, instead it’s like being a kid in Home Depot. There is all this sh*t and you don’t want any of it.”

Here is a list of places we dream of meeting someone sort of normal…and why this is in fact a dream:

The Bars: No one meets their soulmate at a bar. These might be the best places to find a casual one night stand, but nothing substantial will ever come of it. You’re drunk, he’s drunk, and with beer goggles and bad lighting who cares if he’s attractive?

All you know is he looks good and keeps buying the rounds. The next morning he may still look pretty. This is a good sign your judgement wasn’t totally off so you guys exchange numbers.

Don’t hold your breath for the phone call. It won’t happen.

The Coffee Shop: Your intentions are good. No one is drunk (hopefully), and there is always to distinct possibility that the artsy boy of your dreams will be sitting next to you reading a cool book you’ve never heard of. As you do your work you guys make eyes at each other. Rarely though does this lead to any kind of conversation.

You see, New Yorkers have an issue with pride. They don’t want to be the first ones to make the move because then they will lose precious cool points.

If you guys do talk and hit it off a date could follow. However, be leary of the man who spends his days reading in coffee shops.

You’re probably not the first girl he’s picked up there. Read More »