Saturday! The apple of all days. This week, I have for you: personal ads from an engineer looking to make chitchat about Pynchon, a green-eyed social worker and a proud cellist; for our First Impressions excerpt, series of an essay I wrote for The Cut's Cringe Week, which kicks off on Monday; a digest of stories to read in bed.

Want dating, love, or sex advice? Write to me at [email protected]. You can also submit ads at that address, apply by way of this E-Z form, or leave me a message: 212-508-0800, ext. 1.

—Amy Rose Spiegel, senior editor, The Cut

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When you strip your thinking of cringe, in all its petty tyranny and inelegance, your reward is a sexier, more adult romantic life. Otherwise, what’s going to happen when you do have sex with a new person? You can’t just vamp your way through all of it. Someone’s going to grasp for the lube. People will moan and reposition. You’re cheating yourself if you see these things as cringe instead of what they really are, which is hot. The same is true for personalities and expressions of all kinds, not just ones that have to do with Astroglide.

After the third date, I sent a yellow vase to him at work, a smoked-glass cylinder with a thinner blue bud vase inside. The night before, after making out up five flights of stairs, we opened the door to find shards of clay scattered across his living room. He’d left a window open; a strong wind had done its gusting-ass thing. “I loved that yellow vase,” he said, good-naturedly sweeping up what was left of it. It struck me that he was a fool for beauty. I did not cringe.

As I browsed search results for “yellow vase cool,” I hesitated. Was it maybe a little too early for gifts? But it was overridden by wanting to demonstrate that I was thinking about him, and to suggest: You should have somewhere to put the flowers I’m going to give you. The day it was supposed to be delivered, I refreshed the tracking page all day, wondering what he'd think. Around 4 p.m., he sent me an interesting text...

Read the rest of this essay and the rest of The Cut's Cringe Week through your fingers on Monday.

“Date wanted” ads from eligible people of all types, including yours.

Like something you read? Respond via the contact information in the ad. To submit: Call the Personals hotline, 212-508-0800, ext. 1, fill out our Google Form, or email [email protected]. Max 100 words. Some dos and don’ts are here. ABSOLUTELY NO AI.

Ads run for four weeks and are free, but we can't print every one we receive. The more specificity and character in your ad, the likelier it is to run. The Cut’s terms of submission apply to all messages.

DYNAMIC, INQUISITIVE ENGINEER, 40M, Greenpoint, seeks an energetic female partner, 30–42F, to explore the city with shared curiosity for the interesting and absurd — and most importantly, with joie de vivre. Let’s talk about astronomy, play tennis, bike to the beach, visit art, drive to an upstate hike, discuss the new Pynchon book, and eat and drink the best of New York. I studied space in Europe and more recently have worked in tech. I’m a blue-eyed, shaggy-haired introvert, but I can open up pretty quickly with the right company. [email protected]

GREEN-EYED SOCIAL WORKER and Zohran canvasser, 30F. seeks 28ish–37ish leftist to make deep eye contact with and make out. Bonus points if you wear glasses. Enjoys leaving the house for drinks and nights out just as much as staying home, watching Survivor and playing board games. Truly down for most types of activities, excursions, and adventures. Help cure me of my attraction to Brooklyn’s artsy sad boys (or prove me wrong about them). Let's burn down the establishment and watch scary movies. [email protected]

CUTE BISEXUAL JOURNALIST, 29F, in Brooklyn seeks smart and curious person who enjoys arguing. I live for overthinking, hiking, dancing, theme parties, and vegetarian cooking. Will sneak out of a bed for a run but bring you back coffee. If you’re a little kinky and want kids, hit my line. If you want a love out of Norman Rush’s Mating, just propose. [email protected]

THOUGHTFUL, CREATIVE BLACK MUSLIM, 32F, who loves a calendar invite and admiring trees. No pets of my own, but mourning Roscoe. Looking for a down-to-earth and curious dude, 25–40, to bring me out of my schedule and into the moment. If your idea of a good weekend is building community in collective liberation and listening to me play my cello, reach out with what you’re reading. [email protected]

THOUGHTFUL AND LOVING actor, filmmaker, and editor (for the bills). Brooklyn-based, LA-bred, Nigerian-British-American, 26F, seeks open-hearted, well-adjusted, passionate man that can give banter and fucking take it. I’m a bit obsessed with learning through film and books. Seeking a man who loves women (one at a time, please) and loves life. Lying is out. Great communication is in. Let’s make each other's hearts sing. @vournalist

HOT LIBRARIAN, fitness instructor, and generally strong-willed NYC woman, 29, seeks dashing, dark-haired man 25–38 to sweep her off her feet. My hobbies include interior design, dancing to disco, primal rage, and arts and crafts. You: love to read (even performatively), enjoy hobbies outside of your occupation/alma mater, make a decision without enlisting ChatGPT or your mother, and feel comfortable pondering the questions of the universe. Leftist values strongly encouraged. You won’t find me on the apps, so what are you waiting for? [email protected]

BRAINY BEAR WITH A CAT 45M editor in Queens seeks cute dude 35–55 who isn’t afraid of taking the 7 train. I like classical music, theater, artsy movies, urbanism, and sending you funny memes. I DVR Jeopardy every night. Sitges Bear Week over Provincetown Bear Week, Cherry Grove over The Pines. Not into video games or sports (except maybe one Mets game per summer). I will probably never love the gym, but I do belong to one. Let’s grab coffee, take a walk, and try to emulate “Mr. Autumn Man” from The Onion. [email protected]

GREEK WIFEY ENERGY, 36F, athletic brunette with long brown hair, olive skin, and hazel eyes. Dual-passport holder who loves opera, late-night tacos, and cooking big, wine-filled meals that linger long after the plates are cleared. I own a little place in Manhattan and summer every year in Europe. Ready for the next chapter: being a kick-ass wife, damn good arm candy, and raising curious, resilient kids. Looking for a grounded, brilliant man (35–50) who’s built something of his own — and wants to build the rest together. @greekwifeyenergy 

DRY-HUMORED MIDWESTERN PRINCESS, 22F, Brooklyn, seeks Paul Mescal lookalike, 22–26. You: will replace the thrill of academic validation, race my quick wit, buy flowers, and write love letters. I can be the muse for your Substack or indie rock songs, take you dancing at my favorite venues, plan sweet-treat tours of the city, and share endless laughs, including fun times in photo booths. Let’s see how it goes, then take spontaneous trips to mountain and seaside towns. [email protected]

QUICK-WITTED CRUSH-SEEKER, 35F, looking to develop a giggly crush of any gender, 28–45, that turns into fun kissing and real feelings. Pro-yapping, may or may not have an unhealthy relationship to sports fandom, and love a well-written (solicited!) sext. I'm hypersocial, well-read, and a bit of a nudge. You're full of life, a little silly, and brilliant. Let's hold hands and cheers our oysters. [email protected]

BROWN BABY WIF SPA’KLIN EYES, 39F, 5’7”, proud Bronxite, living life by the principles of Christ and Audre Lorde. Looking for a man, 38–55, great conversationalist, curious about the world and himself, reads, gainfully employed, committed to dismantling oppressive systems/“isms,” strong and compassionate enough to navigate life with someone with an MS diagnosis. [email protected]

SURFACE TO AIR 34M, Williamsburg, seeks 27–40F to travel the world trying out homes until we find one to claim as our own. I love befriending strangers, useless facts, drunken revelry, and diving deep — both as I look into your eyes, and underwater with fins on, marveling at the ocean. My ideal partner is a sanguine, a girly girl who isn't afraid of spiders, and a best friend as well as a lover. @thecutburner

CHILL BROOKLYN GIRL, 30F seeking 30–35M, to compare Letterboxd reviews and watch Knicks games. I work in digital advertising, ranked Zohran #1, and think both Agnès Varda and Andy Cohen are geniuses. You are into a free Palestine, dogs, and culture, and you're nice to your mom (but in a normal way). I’m sorry if my flirting translates into being mean... unless you're into that. How would your friends describe you? [email protected]

MIND SHARP, HEART SOFT 36F attorney in Boston. Firm believer that every day can be the best day ever. Vices include lifting heavy weights, fiscal responsibility, puzzles, reading too many books at once. Seeking smart guy up for a little mischief, witty enough to keep me on my toes. [email protected]

SEXY GROWN-ASS WOMAN and femme artist/part-time prof seeks butch, transmasc, or masc-of-center enby (35–55, NY/NJ). Let’s protest for trans kids, paddleboard at Hallet’s Cove, dance to 90s hip hop, volunteer for Zohran, and make art. I want deep convos about the universe, gender, violence, queerness, performance, and literature. I want to swim wherever there is water. Seeking kind, curious person, who makes me feel safe and desired, for late-afternoon sexual assignations. No dependencies, please. [email protected]

SEEKING NPR BOYFRIEND, 28–40, to play Up First while revving up the French press. You: hot leftist with job. Me: 30F, brunette, buxom, 5’6” but frequently mistaken for taller. Infinite-ish patience to listen to your opinions on film and literature. Ideal Sunday morning? Sadomasochism at the hands of a Crunch Fitness instructor, followed by writing at the Center for Fiction. In love, above all else, looking to delight and be delighted. Email me like we’re characters in a Sally Rooney novel. [email protected]

GOING HARD AND GOING HOME Cool respectable guy whom parents love, 35M, Brooklyn, seeks 27–40F who wants to eat an edible and go to All Blues and the Lincoln Center AMC — places with great seats and sounds where we can whisper to each other. I wake up early to work out, but every once in a while, I find a pocket in which I’ll go out until sunrise. If your idea of heaven is the perfect playlist, no traffic, and the kind of flirting with me that’s also teasing me: [email protected]

HEARTBROKEN BUT GLOWING UP, 31M, seeks a like-minded man, 35–54, to take turns talking about our exes while assuring each other that at least we’ve never looked better. “Gym instead of tears” is the motto. Still, let’s not pretend our single status was our decision, and instead indulge in overanalyzing every scenario where we could’ve done something differently. And have sex where the goal is company and not falling in love, until one day we wake up and realize we’re better off because we found each other. @jamie_valentino

RELUCTANT ROMANTIC, 34F, Brooklyn, seeking someone to laugh with in dark times. I work in trauma therapy, so I try to keep it light on evenings and weekends. I’m a Libra, which means very little to me, but may mean something to you? If you’re a monthly WNYC contributor, into checking out the great (and the weird) stuff at BAM, and have a soft spot for Selena Gomez, I'm your girl. 30+ folks of any gender are welcome. Republicans and non-politicals are not. [email protected]

PROUD GUARDIAN OF 11 HOUSEPLANTS, 27M, writer, seeking 24–29F to adopt cat with after appropriate-length courtship. (Ideally, cat will be raised atheist/Jewish, but negotiable.) Love reading, hiking, dancing, gratuitous introspection, and strong opinions. Get along best with people who interrupt me. My red flag is that I don't really like dogs — but what other members of society are allowed to lick strangers and yell at babies? Get a hold of yourself, dogs. @ThatIsaacReuben

LET'S DINE IN? 40F, Brooklyn, seeking a 27+ lady with strong senses of self and community to make my heart skip a beat. I work from home as an artist and like to cook for others, stay up late, eat edibles, and watch movies. Ideally, we'll also bring each other to concerts and drag shows. @ener

STUDY IN CONTRASTS Blue-eyed Brooklyn woman with a razor-sharp Margot Tenenbaum bob seeks a worldly male counterpart for something meaningful. I pair Châteauneuf-du-Pape with a dollar slice, live for spontaneous travel but pack with surgical precision, and read nonfiction and my horoscope. You: good humor, good heart, great shoes. Wouldn’t this be a funny how-we-met story? I dare you to respond. @mairmairr  

SEEKING SEAFARING GARDENER Brunette dreamer 40F ISO gentle giant. In need of a partner who will spy on the neighbors with me, be my biggest fan when it comes to my baking, and make me laugh until I cry. Non-negotiable: You must be able to pick me up and pin me against a wall. Bonus points if you look like you belong in a rugged coastal fishing village; MEGA bonus points if you have a boat. Please have a boat. Looking for something real, not just a fling. @meg___farrell

LISTLESS BRITISH FEMALE and NYC-loving former resident in the UK. Seeking creative male spark for a long-distance relationship, then global meetups in dusky gin joints (though vowing not to return to the US during current regime). In denial about having turned 60, but malevolent streaks of grey and a dodgy knee mock that delusion. I’m trans, so your open mind is a prerequisite. Otherwise, an 80s music lover who knows a forehand lob from a backhand slice would be a peachy start. @nicola_jane_chase

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 A Personals Fun-Pak of what I’m reading and looking at across The Cut and New York.

See you in the streets, and in the sheets, until next week — Amy Rose

Interviews, profiles, columns, and commentary that show the world what women are made of.