‘They are definitely Russian,’ Natasha and I overheard a guy say to another as they walked past us as we headed to The Collection on the Brompton Road. A few days later, a date admitted that he nearly didn’t approach me. ‘I know I shouldn’t say this but I thought you were Russian and I avoid Russian girls – a lot of them are only interested in one thing. I’ve also been trying to avoid dating beautiful women. Some beautiful women have a bad attitude – I think it’s because they never have to work quite as hard as everyone else.’ It wasn’t the first time someone had made an assumption about me. Last summer I received an email describing WLG as ‘quite the girl; gold-digging, unmarried, gagging for it.’
And another date seemed even more cynical. During our dinner at Pizza East Portobello, he admitted he was surprised I’d chosen somewhere low-key for a first date. One of his recent dates had asked to be taken to Nobu; another girl he’d met had even asked for a TV. I quizzed him; he hadn’t long been in the UK and had been checking out the well-known flashy, expensive places – The Mayfair Hotel, Zuma and various clubs.
Successful city guys might complain about gold-diggers, but they’re easy to recognise so there’s a reason guys go for them. ‘I’m single, so I pick up beautiful girls in bars and clubs and take them home,’ one banker admitted. ‘I take advantage of the situation.’
‘I did think it was a bit much when my ex spent £20,000 on my credit card during a weekend of shopping in Milan but I didn’t want to say anything,’ another boasted. I can’t help thinking that a lot of guys love the ego boost of a beautiful woman looking for a guy to look after them materially and they’re the guys you will find ordering Dom Pérignon in five-star hotel bars, flashing their Patek Philippe, mentioning the supercar they drive, and where they live and holiday (flying first class/private jet, of course).
‘What are you wearing?,’ the ex texted the other evening.
‘Not much. My clothes are pretty threadbare at the moment. Fancy taking me shopping?’ I cheekily replied.
‘I’m free tomorrow.’
‘I’m working, but very sweet of you to offer.’ I guess gold-digging is a full-time job.
