Introducing “Finding My Jeffrey” – A Peek Into My Adventures Dating in NYC

Introducing a new series I’ve created for Manners & Manhattans’ lifestyle section. I’ve talked about dating etiquette from time to time, but I thought it would be fun to give you a peek into what it’s like to be an independent 30-something dating in NYC (post Sex & the City). Today I’m telling you a bit about my inspiration for creating this series.

As many of you know, I’m a huge fan of home cooking guru and businesswoman, Ina Garten. Over the years, as I learned a bit more about her, I discovered that her husband, Jeffrey Garten, seems just as fabulous. If you’ve ever watched any of Ina’s shows, you know. However, if you need more convincing, check out this funny article from NY Magazine. It’s a feature from the column very aptly titled “I Like This B*tch’s Life” (I do, too) which profiles women with enviable lifestyles.

Ina Garten credits Jeffrey with being the first feminist she knew. She notes that he encouraged her to buy the now famous Barefoot Contessa shop in the Hamptons and leave the job she was less than thrilled with in government, wisely stating that she should “go do something fun” because then she would excel at it. Additionally, if you’ve seen Ina’s shows, you know that Jeffrey seems to travel a lot. He has a busy, successful career as well, but shows up at precisely the right time for all her gatherings – in a good mood, ready to enjoy whatever Ina has prepared. As someone who considers herself very independent this part is very appealing to me. A bonus, he seems to enjoy regular trips to Paris with Ina.

I’m not a timeline kind of girl (and actually not even sure getting married is a necessary thing). However, it would be nice to meet someone who compliments and adds to my already pretty great life.

I ask myself though, is it even possible to find this in the wild (aka New York City, the wonderful metropolis I call home) now? A guy who:

• Supports my goals and encourages my career
• Gives me an appropriate amount of space – this girl needs her alone time
• Helps me out by being my unofficial recipe tester/taster
• And lastly, enjoys great food, wine, cocktails, and traveling just as much as I do

I’m really not sure…

Nonetheless, I’m taking you on some of my adventures via this series. I’m sure I’ll be able to sneak in a little something about etiquette as well. If you’ve had the pleasure of dating these days you know there’s no shortage of bad behavior. I hope you’ll find this series funny and enjoyable or at the very least comforting if you’re on your own adventure to find your Jeffrey.

Stay tuned for more coming soon. In the mean time, tell me your biggest dating deal breakers in the comments and check out my earlier post on my views on practice known as “ghosting.”

By the way, one of my biggest dating deal breakers is rudeness to servers in restaurants.

Also find me on Instagram @mannersandmanhattans #livewellmodernly