The Stanford Business Reporter

Issue date: 11/12/01 Section: Features

Date #1: Club Stasinos

Date #2: Mr. Anderson

Date #3: First-Year Frick

Date #4: Jeckyll and Hyde Jones

One woman, four men, and four dates. Welcome to the first column of "Dating & Decisions." This column will be the perfect outlet for the GSB's voyeuristic urges – after setting up either one GSB man or woman with four other classmates, we will track the dates and get the lowdown on the dating experience.

We set very high standards to pick the first woman for this column. It was difficult finding someone who was smart enough to spend four nights not studying, yet sassy enough to keep the men in order. Feisty, fun and very cute (especially in her flight attendant costume), Sabrina Bernold, MBA2, was the perfect candidate.

Finding the four men was a little easier. The tough part was deciding whether to give one of the dates to the man who would wash our cars or the man who volunteered to write our end of quarter papers. After perusing the latter's grades, we decided that our cars really needed a wash. So with four men, two first-years and two second-years, we sent our brave couples out to the dating world of Palo Alto and beyond.

So, without further ado, here are their stories:

Date #1: John "Shotgun" Stasinos

The Date: After enduring an interrogation at the hands of Sabrina's "dads," Shotgun whisked away Ms. Bernold in his black Porsche 968, a.k.a. "the chick car," to Spago's. Ms. Bernold recounts, "I accepted the offer to share a bottle of champagne, but had to decline the suggestion to start off with a few dozen oysters. Sipping our Dom and feasting on such yummy items as miso-marinated steak and chocolate peanut butter soufflé, we laughed and chatted until the night crew came by with vacuum cleaners and the hostess ever so gently told us the valet needed to go home." After Spago's, the inebriated couple headed to Palo Alto Bowl where Ms. Bernold proceeded to show John her skill at handling balls.

Here are some of the glowing words Mr. Stasinos had:

Most fun part: "We enjoyed the conversation at Spago so much I didn't have to drag her by the hair to Palo Alto Bowl"

Feelings during the date: "I was maybe the happiest man alive… maybe other than Warren Buffet. I was happier than George Roberts post-Nabisco buyout"

Would you go out again? "It would make me happier than Barbara Walters after interviewing Michael Jackson."

Date #2: Shawn "Smooth" Anderson

The Date: Unphased by questions about earning potential from the "dads," Mr. Anderson started by presenting a sunflower to his radiant date. Deciding that nothing in Palo Alto would do justice to Ms. Bernold, Shawn decided to go for seafood in Oakland at Scott's. In Ms. Bernold's words, "we dined at a lovely table for two with a view of the bay and talked about everything from our families to why men and women really can’t be just friends. After the oreo cheesecake, we wandered over to Yoshi’s jazz club and took in the last half of the show…not before we waited a good 20 minutes for a train to pass right through the center of town so that we could cross the street."

Here are Mr. Anderson's thoughts on the date.

Best Part: "The drive up to Oakland. She couldn't run away so we had a great conversation and I could find out about her, her family and what she enjoys."

Qualities he looks for: "I want someone I can talk a lot to about nothing but still leave with something. We should look good together, as well."

Final Thoughts: "Being a shy guy at the GSB has its disadvantages; dating happens to be one of them. Make sure you quote me on this."

Date #3: Ryan "One-Degree of Separation" Frick

The Date: After the now regular interrogation, our brave first-year man took Ms. Bernold to dinner at Osteria. As Ryan put it, "this is the best Italian in town. In a blind date situation, you can't go wrong with Italian. Something like sushi may be more likely to be someone's absolute favorite, but you also run the risk of someone not liking it at all." After some fine dining, the couple headed over to Blue Chalk to grab a few drinks. During the date the couple discovered mutual friends in Australia, as well as discussed the potential for "cross-pollination" between the first- and second-year classes.

After the date, this is what Mr. Frick had to say:

Best Part: "The general conversation – we talked about school, social dynamics, work and common friends."

Qualities he looks for in women: "I've dated women ranging from hardcore feminist to suburban cheerleader… I just think that when it's right, it's right – there's just that something extra which is undefined."

Advice on dating Sabrina: "Shave your head."

Date #4: Andrew "Jekyll & Hyde" Jones

The Date: Unlike previous interrogations, Mr. Jones had to endure extra scrutiny from BBQ-ers at the Bernold estate. In true Australian style, the man from down-under decided to go for drinks before going to dinner. A stop at La Bodeguita lubricated the couple with some fine daiquiris and mojitos. Mr. Jones then showed his true convict origins as he tried to leave without paying as the couple headed over to Bistro Elan for dinner. After some conversation about their lives and comparing Australia to America, Mr. Jones escorted Ms. Bernold home like a perfect gentleman.

Here is what the Aussie "Don Juan" had to say about the evening.

Most Awkward moment: "When I left the first place and the waiter came chasing me out of the bar to pay the bill."

Special Fact about Mr. Jones: "I was on the list of the 50 Most Eligible Bachelors in an Australian magazine after winning a quiz show at age twenty-one."

Other gossip on the date: "I'm a don't ask, don't tell type of guy."

Ms. Bernold's Verdict

After the four dates, we sat down with our "single" woman to reflect on the four dates.

What were the highlights of the dates?

John: "Kicking his ass in bowling."

Shawn: "Watching the train go by in Oakland. It was actually a very cool moment."

Ryan: "Getting all the gossip on the first-years."

Andrew: "Candlelight dinner, and hearing about Australia – seeing the U.S. through Australian eyes."

How do the first-years compare to the second years?

Second-year guys really know how to treat a woman; they pulled out all the stops. The first-years are still learning.

What is the best "date" restaurant?

Bistro Elan was the best. It has a great atmosphere and was intimate and understated. It has a romantic ambiance.

Overall feelings about the experience?

All the guys were very nice and I had a great, fun time.

The perfect date?

First, start off with the perfect guy. Add a bottle of wine a blanket and head to the beach to talk for hours under the skies… a bonfire and smores would be total perfection.

Your ideal guy?

Tall, athletic and smart. He should be able to make me laugh a lot. He needs to be strong and confident yet caring and sensitive. Oh, and have a shaved head.

Conclusion

So there you have it – four dates, four wonderful evenings. Great food, fantastic conversation and four deeper friendships. While "true-love" didn't show up on any of the dates (though there is a rumor about a mysterious fifth date) all five participants leave the experience richer (except Stasinos, who is still cleaning dishes at Spago's).

Unfortunately, this might be the first as well the last column of "D&D." Unless we get more volunteers, Sabrina and the four gentlemen might be the only people to benefit from this great opportunity. So take a chance, and do some "D&D."

If you are interested in being featured in our next installment of D&D (whenever that may be…), please send an email to The Reporter at reporter@gsb.stanford.edu, or you can contact Dhruv Gupta or Kristin Lundquist directly.

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