Wanna Flip?

What: Launch Party

Where: Kimberly Hotel
Who: Myself, Carson, Amanda, Alex, and Courtney

Last week I attended a launch party for the new company “FlipMe.” And while my feelings about the company itself are less than desirable, the party itself was not. Then again I must take into account the fact that I am easily pleased with free food and free alcohol.

The company is a new dating site that also has an in-person component. Anyone can sign up to make a dating profile on the site (if you pay the $24.99 fee...which only gets you thirty dating cards), however in order to let anyone view your profile you must give them a “flipme card” in person. Therefore, profiles cannot be searched and browsed. To top it off, the company seemed to be oblivious to the fact that "flipping" is a commonly used term in the gay community. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, I will not go into specifics, but it usually takes place in the bedroom.

My roommate brought it to the attention of many that it would be viewed as wimpy for a guy to go up to a girl and give her a flipme card rather than his number. Personally, I agree, it is an unnecessary step in the dating process. People should either date online or in person. One point that one of the two founders brought up was that it would be good for people who want to cheat…whoever said New York City doesn’t have any morals?

Regardless, the party was definitely entertaining. It was held on the roof deck of the Kimberly Hotel, a fairly unknown gem in Midtown East. The glass ceiling and walls open to create a spectacular view of the city lights.

There was a variety of media, people from the Wall Street Journal, The New York Insider, and others. A mini red carpet was laid out and many people attempted to pose with Miss New York.
Employees of FlipMe ran around explaining the product and showing people the cards. Most were stupefied when asked what they would do if handed a card by someone and it made the evening more enjoyable.

The only thing more enjoyable than the unprepared staff was when my roommate decided to ‘wingman’ for me.

Roommate: Don’t take offense to this, but do you sleep with chics or dudes? My roommate thinks you’re cute.
Cute Guy: I sleep with chics.
Roommate: Really? You look gay.
Cute Guy: What??!! Why?!
Roommate: Your facial hair is too well maintained.
Cute Guy: But I don’t do anything to it!
Roommate: Well maybe you should so it looks like you don’t.

Goals Accomplished:
1) My first launch party

2) My roommate definitely made me uncomfortable flirting with a straight guy (it should be noted that my roommate is also straight)
3) I learned that a surprising number of people want to be photographed in the hopes of ending up online or in magazines