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Time of India

How to find love in NYC? Zohran Mamdani has the most Gen-Z coded dating advice

Picture this: you're wandering through the vibrant streets of New York City – Brooklyn brownstones, Astoria art studios, buzzing coffee shops – not exactly searching for love with a massive placard in your hand, but hoping to bump onto 'real' connections… and all you can think about is how much the grocery store around the block is going to cost you! Well, that's where Zohran Mamdani comes in! The young and popular assemblymember and the NYC mayoral candidate isn't only thinking about giving New York City a real taste of Democratic Socialism – he is also trying to sort out your dating life! How? Proposing policies and winning hearts! Now, searching for love in – as busy a city as NYC is – can seem like an almost impossible wild adventure, but the heart wants what it wants! So, Kaneez Surka, an Indian-origin, NYC-based comedian and content creator, caught up with Mamdani, and popped the most-awaited question! How to find love in NYC? Kaneez kicked things off with a playful note in her caption, saying, 'I'm out there asking Mayoral candidates important questions - If you're single in NYC and looking for love, @zohrankmamdani has solid advice. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now ' And proving her claim true, Mamdani did have some solid advice! In the clip, Kaneez, who has made New York her home, playfully put Zohran on the spot, mentioning his impressive campaign platforms like affordable housing. She then cheekily asked, 'But let's get real—how are you going to help single folks like me find love? What good is 'no cost childcare' if I can't even find a man to have kids with?' With a chuckle, Zohran, who's making history as NYC's first Indian-origin Muslim mayoral candidate, revealed his secret to finding romance: 'First of all, I found my wife on Hinge. So, it still works! Just to let people know!' Surprisingly, Gen Z! But that's not all! Mamdani did not desert the millennials as well! The second trick on his sleeve? He continued with some sage advice, saying, 'Second is, I think we also need to give people more time. A lot of New Yorkers are basically on a hamster wheel of anxiety! There's not much time to sit in the park, to explore your own city. If you're always worried about if you have enough money to make your rent, enough money to pay for your metro card… the love of your life, may currently be stressed about whether they can afford the most expensive city in the United States to find you!' The moral of the story? As Mamdani quoted, 'Affordability is about romance!' And affordable housing, one of the many things Mamadani is rooting for, is part of that grand plan! From campaign rallies to long walks! Mamdani, the son of the acclaimed Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair (Re: The Namesake), shared how he met his wife, Rama Duwaji, who is a talented Syrian-born artist based in Brooklyn. In December 2024, Mamdani and Duwaji out a ring on their relationship in a private engagement and nikkah ceremony atop a Dubai rooftop, near the Burj Khalifa, with only close family around. Earlier this year, in New York, they performed a simple, sweet civil ceremony at the City Clerk's office—a place Zohran calls 'my favorite building in New York,' celebrating public service and privacy all at once. Although Zohran had kept his marriage quite private, he thrilled everyone by making a public debut of Rama on Instagram after right-wing trolls claimed he was 'hiding his wife.' However, Mamdani and Duwaji's love story isn't just about dates – it's built on late-night studio sessions, gallery strolls, and shared creative sparks. In true millennial spirit, their romance shuns pressure and embraces authenticity. Let's unpack how to channel his Gen‑Z‑coded advice and turn NYC into your romantic playground. Read on. Bond over art and culture Zohran and Duwaji's romance blossomed through their mutual love of art, transforming a shared passion into a lasting connection. That story isn't just a politician's anecdote; it's a dating blueprint. Gen‑Z craves emotional resonance, not just aesthetics, and art-infused dates are the perfect setting. Try things like: A 'paint and pour' night in Chinatown or Bushwick: nurture creative chemistry over a canvas, and maybe a glass of wine. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Museum-hop with a twist: instead of just walking, ask each other to write mini love notes inspired by exhibits. Attend an art‑therapy‑style workshop: you'll laugh, you'll bond. It's low‑pressure, emotionally rich, and authentically you, just how Gen‑Z likes it. Speak from your heart Gen‑Z is done with guesswork and 'situationships.' They want clarity, and they want it from day one. On date one: get real! What are your values? Your love language? (Spoiler: it might be quality time or an honest chat, not expensive shows.) Lay your cards on the table: 'I'm here for connection, not flings;' because in the city that never sleeps, authenticity is the ultimate flex. Swipe on digital love, but do so wisely Nearly everyone in NYC starts with swipes, but Gen‑Z doesn't stop there! They read digital body language (DBL) – emoji tone, reply timing, punctuation. Here's how to do it right: Never ghost, but don't reply in nanoseconds either. Aim for thoughtful responses within 1–2 hours. React with a wink emoji instead of a full paragraph; texting is shorthand, not the whole story. When messages deep-dive into feelings, suggest a phone or video call, then an IRL meetup. You're aiming for real chemistry, not just digital vibes. Go slow, steal the show The hustle gets over at day jobs. In romance, Gen‑Z doesn't rush. It's about genuine growth and values alignment. So, Skip the speed-dating hustle. Opt for extended conversations over coffee, museum strolls, and cook-together nights. Ask about your date's dreams, social values, future plans—not just 'What's your favorite pizza?' If life in NYC is stressful, remind each other: there's zero pressure to move in, get engaged, or be Instagram couple goals. Neetu Kapoor shares a homemade remedy to help fight anxiety