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Bid me a husband
BY Desiree Weston
DESIREE WESTON has been single for too long. In a proactive bid to find a man she recently visited the Great Date Auction…
I wouldn’t say I was the shy type when it comes to men. Throughout my dating history I’ve taken the brave steps and asked out a few men. However, the very idea of paying for a man to go on a date has never crossed my mind. That is, until, I received an invite to the Great Date Auction.
The Great Date Auction is where the 21st century Black woman throws her weave, extensions, straight and curly hair to the wind and takes charge of her romantic destiny and bids for her man. So, being a 21st century Black women myself, I slipped on my six-inch heels and Naomi walk my way to the West End.
The Great Date Auction, a yearly fundraising event for the Njoya Foundation, which works to advance the lives of young black males, has created an event that intrigues nearly every single female in London. At the recent auction there were 10 men up for ‘sale’ and with a room of roughly 100 women, that meant on average 10 women will be bidding for one man.
Baring these figures in mind I make my way to the front. Immediately I’m face to face with a six-foot, seductive, black dress-wearing supermodel. If I’m Naomi, then she must be Tyra Banks.
The first bachelor to come out quietly sashays across the stage, as if it is possible for this gladiator audience to ignore his appearance. If the idea of being scrutinised by a roomful of hungry women sounds intimidating, then being able to provide witty answers to unrehearsed questions must be painful.
By time Bachelor no. 3 electric slides his way across the sage, both ‘Tyra’ and I have yet to raise our paddle, but there’s no rush we still have seven more chances. Not content with providing witty answers, Bachelor three decides to serenade the crowd with his own tribute to the late Luther Vandross. This is a nice gesture, at the very least he can harmonise the dinner menu to you.
What am I looking for, I hear you ask. If only I knew. Is it possible that Bachelor no. 4 could provide the answers? A business analyst for Sainsbury’s, Bachelor 4 starts his dialogue with plans to be the future Chancellor of the Exchequer – ambitious, I like that, tick. He is considerate enough to bring a Valentine’s present – some might say bribery, I say smart thinking, tick. And he works for Sainsbury’s –lifetime of discount shopping, tick and double tick! Slowly I raise my paddle and start the bidding at £20, hah take that ‘Tyra.’ Before I’ve even had time to place my paddle down, “£30”, “£50”, “£60”, “£100” and “Sold”, echoes around the room. Before I can blink an eye, Mr. Sainsbury’s is being led away like a precious stone that has been stolen in the night.
This night obviously requires one to roll up their sleeves and get dirty. Next up is Cecil. Cecil and his Mohican hair. Being one of the last men standing and with a peep show of his tattoos, the room soon reaches fever pitch. Cries of “£30”, “£50”, charge their way to the hosts before the bidding begins. Getting ready to join in, the price shoots up quicker than I can think of a figure. “£150”, “£200”, “£250”, “Sold for £300!” -I may be a 21st century woman, but I’m not a mad one. As the crowd whoops with excitement and the lucky lady looks like a lioness who has hunted down a deer after hibernating over the winter months; I resign myself to admit defeat. Like I said, the very thought of paying for a man has never crossed my mind before; unlike these women maybe I’m not yet ready to go to any depth to find true love.
But, I hope these women have and I wish them and their dates the best of luck; maybe next year I’ll be more prepared to go into battle.
To find out more about the Njoya Foundation go to http://www.njoyafoundation.org.uk
BY Desiree Weston
DESIREE WESTON has been single for too long. In a proactive bid to find a man she recently visited the Great Date Auction…
I wouldn’t say I was the shy type when it comes to men. Throughout my dating history I’ve taken the brave steps and asked out a few men. However, the very idea of paying for a man to go on a date has never crossed my mind. That is, until, I received an invite to the Great Date Auction.
The Great Date Auction is where the 21st century Black woman throws her weave, extensions, straight and curly hair to the wind and takes charge of her romantic destiny and bids for her man. So, being a 21st century Black women myself, I slipped on my six-inch heels and Naomi walk my way to the West End.
The Great Date Auction, a yearly fundraising event for the Njoya Foundation, which works to advance the lives of young black males, has created an event that intrigues nearly every single female in London. At the recent auction there were 10 men up for ‘sale’ and with a room of roughly 100 women, that meant on average 10 women will be bidding for one man.
Baring these figures in mind I make my way to the front. Immediately I’m face to face with a six-foot, seductive, black dress-wearing supermodel. If I’m Naomi, then she must be Tyra Banks.
The first bachelor to come out quietly sashays across the stage, as if it is possible for this gladiator audience to ignore his appearance. If the idea of being scrutinised by a roomful of hungry women sounds intimidating, then being able to provide witty answers to unrehearsed questions must be painful.
By time Bachelor no. 3 electric slides his way across the sage, both ‘Tyra’ and I have yet to raise our paddle, but there’s no rush we still have seven more chances. Not content with providing witty answers, Bachelor three decides to serenade the crowd with his own tribute to the late Luther Vandross. This is a nice gesture, at the very least he can harmonise the dinner menu to you.
What am I looking for, I hear you ask. If only I knew. Is it possible that Bachelor no. 4 could provide the answers? A business analyst for Sainsbury’s, Bachelor 4 starts his dialogue with plans to be the future Chancellor of the Exchequer – ambitious, I like that, tick. He is considerate enough to bring a Valentine’s present – some might say bribery, I say smart thinking, tick. And he works for Sainsbury’s –lifetime of discount shopping, tick and double tick! Slowly I raise my paddle and start the bidding at £20, hah take that ‘Tyra.’ Before I’ve even had time to place my paddle down, “£30”, “£50”, “£60”, “£100” and “Sold”, echoes around the room. Before I can blink an eye, Mr. Sainsbury’s is being led away like a precious stone that has been stolen in the night.
This night obviously requires one to roll up their sleeves and get dirty. Next up is Cecil. Cecil and his Mohican hair. Being one of the last men standing and with a peep show of his tattoos, the room soon reaches fever pitch. Cries of “£30”, “£50”, charge their way to the hosts before the bidding begins. Getting ready to join in, the price shoots up quicker than I can think of a figure. “£150”, “£200”, “£250”, “Sold for £300!” -I may be a 21st century woman, but I’m not a mad one. As the crowd whoops with excitement and the lucky lady looks like a lioness who has hunted down a deer after hibernating over the winter months; I resign myself to admit defeat. Like I said, the very thought of paying for a man has never crossed my mind before; unlike these women maybe I’m not yet ready to go to any depth to find true love.
But, I hope these women have and I wish them and their dates the best of luck; maybe next year I’ll be more prepared to go into battle.
To find out more about the Njoya Foundation go to http://www.njoyafoundation.org.uk
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