Quote:
A speed dating service for wealthy but single New Yorkers is mixing up the traditional "dull banker meets vacuous gold-digger" formula by matching up rich women with good-looking men.
Speed dating for toy-boys
Women must be over 35 and rich to take part
To qualify for the forthcoming "Sugar Mamas & Toy Boys" evening in a Manhattan restaurant, women must be over 35, earn at least £250,000 a year or have a minimum of £2 million in assets or divorce settlement.
Men need only be under 35 and submit five pretty pictures of themselves.
Organisers of the event claim more than 5,000 men applied for one of 20 places in the event and were chosen by a professional matchmaker.
Jeremy Abelson, its creator, said he came up with the idea after women attacked a similar event last year for bringing together rich men and attractive women.
Promoting the event next month, his website, pocketchangenyc.com, proclaims: "Symbiosis has allowed ugly rich men to attract young, gorgeous, money-hungry women for centuries; it's now the women's turn."
Speed-dating pairs up prospective couples for face-to-face meetings that last just a few minutes. The partners rotate over the course of the evening, allowing them to meet as many of the opposite sex as they can.
Everyone involved is doing their best to ignore the possibility that some of the men may be attracted by a dollar sign.
Gail Garrison, a 44-year-old fashion designer and former model, is one of the 20 women who will attend. She said: "I find younger guys will usually be totally into you while older guys will be looking over your shoulder at a younger woman.
"Younger men expect an older woman to be more accomplished. They are looking for you because you are intelligent. They are not looking for a mother."
How About That?
Nancy Richards, 50, a Broadway marketing executive and theatre producer, said she will be looking for a younger man who skis and plays tennis.
She said: "Is it truly what I am looking for? No. Is it an option? Why not? In New York City anything goes."
Mr Abelson added: "I think for men it is an incredible fantasy (to be with an older woman). Older women are more experienced and they know what they want."
Janice Spindel, who chose the men and women, said: "I really think a lot of people will connect. Age is just a number, and some people are unlisted."
Not a rerun, right?