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    NYC’s hottest pick-up spot is a brick wall in Brooklyn — here’s why

    By Adriana Diaz,

    2024-09-06

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1TviIF_0vNC4GOQ00

    Maybe putting up walls can be a good thing for a relationship.

    Dating apps are so last decade , say the NYC singles of all ages lining up on weekends to have their photos posted on a wall in Brooklyn’s McCarren Park — in hopes of finding their next match.

    “It’s just a much more exciting way to meet people,” Greenpoint resident Griffin McLaughlin, 24, told The Post.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=10e3MM_0vNC4GOQ00
    Dating app-shy singles of all ages are gathering around a wall in Brooklyn’s McCarren Park to pick out their next date. Stefano Giovannini
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4DJnBR_0vNC4GOQ00
    “It’s just a much more exciting way to meet people,” Greenpoint resident and hopeful dater Griffin McLaughlin, 24, told The Post. Stefano Giovannini

    Every Saturday and Sunday, from noon until 8:00 p.m., a brick wall located opposite the park’s tennis courts is transformed into New York City’s busiest pick-up spot, as romantic hopefuls log off and try their luck out in public.

    To participate, you scan a QR code at the site and donate a suggested $25 to $60 — a higher price can also include a tarot card reading. For your money, you’ll have two Polaroid photos taken by local photographer Bob Greco, also known as “Picture Man Bob.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0eC2eM_0vNC4GOQ00
    Anyone who scans the QR code and donates a suggested $25 to $60 will have two Polaroid photos taken by local photographer — one to take home and one to stick on the wall along with a small colorful index card including a little bio. Stefano Giovannini

    This one type of exercise can make men last longer in bed — a ten-minute workout per day is plenty

    One photo you take home; the other you stick on the wall, along with a colorful index card that includes some personal details — name, age, gender, what you’re looking for and words that describe you.

    So far, over 600 people ranging from 19 to 55 years old have given the wall a try.

    Those daring enough to participate are then able to check out their peers, telling the two organizers, Vaishnavi Sesetty, 23, and Cyrus Belsoi, 25, who they like, and who they’d like to have their picture and details passed along to.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2CAYdt_0vNC4GOQ00
    So far, over 600 people ranging from 19 to 55 years old have added their photos to the wall. Stefano Giovannini
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=39rRf1_0vNC4GOQ00
    The Polaroid photos are taken by local photographer Bob Greco, also known as “Picture Man Bob.” Stefano Giovannini

    Participant photos are swapped out every five weeks and wall-lumni are also invited to a private mixer.

    “It shows everybody that everybody else is also single and you’re not by yourself,” Daniel Miller, 25, of Westchester County told The Post. “It’s new and different and people do it just because it’s fun. Even if it doesn’t happen, it’s an experience.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=33FFyc_0vNC4GOQ00
    “It shows everybody that everybody else is also single and you’re not by yourself,” Daniel Miller, 25, told The Post. Stefano Giovannini
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3LenoW_0vNC4GOQ00
    Crowds have been gathering around the wall every weekend as people peep the local singles market. Stefano Giovannini

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    As eight in ten Americans report being “burnt out” from swiping away on dating apps , the wall organizers have founded a nonswiping dating app called Pique Dating — but they barely promote it at the wall. They just want to help foster human connection.

    That’s exactly what Alyssa Peck is looking for.

    “Nowadays it feels like people on the apps aren’t really looking for genuine connection,” the 21-year-old told The Post — a sentiment repeated by many. “I’m looking for someone who’s genuine.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=04YqA0_0vNC4GOQ00
    “Nowadays it feels like people on the apps aren’t really looking for genuine connection,” Alyssa Peck told The Post — a sentiment repeated by many. “I’m looking for someone who’s genuine.” Stefano Giovannini

    And some romantics are hoping for a love story.

    “I feel like meeting people online, there’s nothing special to it,” McLaughlin said. “But if you were to walk by a park, see someone really exciting, fall in love, it would be like a movie. So that’s why I stopped at the wall. I’d date people cool enough to put their pic on there.”

    He was walking through the park when the crowd gathered around the wall drew him in — and he was far from the only one.

    Throughout the day, the wall attracts nearly everyone strolling through the Williamsburg/Greenpoint borderlands iconic spot, from married couples reminiscing on their dating days to singles considering adding themselves.

    “This is how you know dating is rough in New York,” Becky, a 25-year-old local single, told The Post.

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    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Gu1gp_0vNC4GOQ00
    “This is how you know dating is rough in New York,” Becky, a 25-year-old local single, told The Post. Stefano Giovannini

    “I do wish there were more meet-cutes. I wish it was the way it like used to be in olden times or whatever, where you would just like meet someone and date them normally like that.”

    But the wall has become that spot for some.

    Ben Abrahamsson has asked two women out on a date while hanging around the wall.

    “It’s just chaos on those apps,” the 34-year-old told The Post. That’s why he added his photo to the wall.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3OgNSM_0vNC4GOQ00
    Those daring enough to add their photo to the wall can then tell the two organizers, Vaishnavi Sesetty, 23, (pictured) and Cyrus Belsoi, 25, who they like and want their photo and info passed along to later in the week. Stefano Giovannini

    As he was filling out his info card and waiting to have his stuff taped up, he made a silly joke he can’t even remember to the woman next to him. The two chatted as they stood around and eventually decided to walk over to a nearby bar and grab a drink right then and there.

    The next week, when he stopped by to check out the new photos, he chatted with another woman and asked her out — she was just visiting the city so it didn’t work out. He’s also thrown out a few likes.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4ewON9_0vNC4GOQ00
    Some people have even asked people out in person while hanging around the wall in Greenpoint. Stefano Giovannini

    “I like that I don’t have to do the swiping. Honestly that’s the biggest thing,” Abrahamsson said noting that there’s that temptation on the apps to always think the next person could be a better match.

    “There are a lot of options. Something like this kind of helps. Narrow down the choices.”

    For the latest in lifestyle, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/lifestyle/

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    Comments / 12
    Add a Comment
    Spextacular_1
    09-08
    instead of people actually going out and meeting other people through conversations or connections you come up with something where you hang a picture up smhh what's wrong with people
    Lorris McIntosh
    09-08
    Wow, and they pay for the depravity also. A sign of the times, openly lost souls. I have faith that it will get better because they really don't know better. They need to know who they are as humans. Body, soul, and spirit. Satan is having a good run at running things. The leadership of America is failing it's citizens spiritual development.
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