this would require you to be in NYC but sign up for email newsletters like NPCC and perfectly imperfect that share events. pick one, go by yourself and chat people up. even if you’re not attracted to everyone there you can still talk to them and maybe they will introduce you to their friends. free events and parties with open bars will be your best bets because more people will show up.

this type of guy is very specific: pseudo- to semi-intellectual, claims to read a lot and have an interest in literature but in actuality values looks over intellect. typically they are insecure yet egotistical, so they tend to be easy to impress and hard to offend. tbh they’re kinda the worst and I personally wouldn’t recommend trying to ingratiate oneself into the dimes square set but ymmv!