Hundreds of New Yorkers, primarily single women, gathered at Littlefield in Brooklyn for "About Last Night," a nationwide event where attendees share personal stories of negative dating experiences. The event, which began in 2016, aims to help singles feel less isolated by their dating woes.
Attendees recounted a range of unsettling encounters, from a man who rode his standing desk naked to a date involving a partner in a dominant-submissive kink relationship controlled by an older man. One woman shared an experience with a partner involved with cocaine dealing, who she met during lockdown. Another story involved a date with a coworker who confessed to a fart fetish.
Chase James, the founder of "About Last Night," started the event after observing a similar ritual among his friends. He has since expanded the series to multiple cities, with plans for further expansion to Austin and Washington D.C.
"For a moment in time, it’s not the worst thing anymore. It’s kind of the best, because we’re all laughing about it together," James stated.
However, the narratives also prompted reflection on modern dating behaviors. Some attendees expressed concern that individuals, particularly women, are compromising their values or agency to conform to perceived societal expectations in the dating scene. One speaker, Daisy, shared a story about violating her own boundaries regarding casual sex and subsequently requiring emergency surgery, after which her date left her at the hospital.
The "About Last Night" event in Brooklyn featured diverse stories, with some speakers noting that their generation struggles with dating and commitment. The overarching sentiment from some participants was a call for individuals to demand better from their dating experiences and partners, rather than accepting negative situations as inevitable.