Preliminary Questions
Do you live within a thirty-minute radius/are you comfortable commuting to Murray Hill or elsewhere in Manhattan to hang out with me?
[REDACTED]
Are you crazy?
Can you supply a personal website or social media profile?
[REDACTED]
Once I review your application, I will reach out to have a more formal, sit-down interview to be my friend in Manhattan. This interview will be videotaped and I will be posting the footage on social media. Are you able to report to Manhattan and spend at least an hour for the interview?
Open Questions
Why are you filling out this questionnaire?
I’m looking to meet new friends, but I also found this project interesting. I have an artistic background and it reminded me of a film project my friend made back in art school :)
How many "close friends" (by close friends I mean people that you see more than twice a month if they live in the tri-state area or if they are a long-distance friend that you speak with at least twice a month) do you have?
~5
Do you listen to Billie Eilish? If so, why?
Not ***a ton***, but I think her music can be fun to dance/work out/drive to. Her look(s) have also been really cool and I love how her aesthetic plays with gender.
It's Saturday morning! What time are you up and what do you want to do with the day?
Depends on what I did friday night, but I’m probably up around 8. Might head to the gym, get some tasks done, meet up with friends for brunch or an art museum. Maybe evening plans out or maybe just a joint and chill night at home.
Have you ever had an existential crisis? How did it come about and what was your ultimate takeaway from it?
Yes lol. The biggest and most poignant one came on when I did acid for the first time. (For the record I don’t do drugs regularly anymore save for weed.) It was an important moment of reflection in which I decided to prioritize relationships and financial security over a big party lifestyle.
You are at a party and a topic comes up that you could go on and on and on about that nobody else knows anything about. What is the topic and would you talk about it or not talk about it?
Art / design, judaism, personal growth, and mental health would be the topics I’m particularly well versed in. I think it depends on how interested people seem, gotta know your audience.
What do you think about feminism? How did you come to that conclusion?
Feminism is an important principle in my life. I think a lot about how gender roles impact my experience of dating and what I want in a partnership. That said I think modern day / white feminism has gone in some unproductive directions, I don’t agree with everything that could be considered feminist.
If there was an alternate reality in which you had a debilitating, life-altering addiction, what would you be addicted to?
Shopping 💯
What are your dreams?
To be happy, fulfilled, loved, artistically realized, part of a wonderful community.
Do you believe in ethical consumerism or is it a drop in a giant well that has already been dug by multinational corporations so it doesn't matter?
I do think a lot of efforts toward ‘ethical’ or ‘sustainable’ consumption are less effective than advertised. Recycling, for example. Its a drop in the bucket to worry about shopping at zara vs reformation. I wouldnt shop at shein or wish, but more so because of the quality. That said I also thrift and donate clothing.
Multiple-Choice Questions
What qualities are most important to you in a friend
What is the worst thing on this list
Work is:
Which poet's writing do you most connect with?
Do you feel like you've lived one life or lots of lives?
How do you feel about answering all these questions:
Aristotle once said; "my friends, there are no friends." How do you feel about that:
Essay Question
Please describe a friend breakup you have gone through. If you haven't gone through a friend breakup, please explain why you think you have never gone through a friend breakup. Outline a major friendship in your life and explain why it is successful.
A friendship breakup - I met [REDACTED] through a mutual friend a few years ago. We talked about everything and it was a lovely connection in many ways. I found out last year that she was gossiping about our friend group, and myself, a bit meanly. We discussed it and she gave a good apology, pledged to do better. It was shit timing though, as I went on to travel for a few months. We had a subsequent conversation that I was really disappointed by.
A successful friendship - I met [REDACTED] in college. We werent close then, but we reconnected in our mid-20s. She is one of the women in my life I feel closest to. We have so much in common and respect our differences. I think a lot of what has made us successful has been good communication, shared values, shared humor and giving each other room to be different or have different needs/circumstances.