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Why doesn't Las Vegas' reputation as the marital capital of the world translate into status as the love capital of the world?
In a university comprised where guys outnumber women, there seems to be a view on both sides of the gender line that Las Vegas is not the most friendly place to find a soul mate.
Students cite the influence of the local culture, a lack of interest in seeking people to develop a romance with and bad dating shenanigans as reasons for crossing state borders in hopes of finding love on the other side.
"I think our city is Sin City. I think that just entails that we have a lot of different things that are available to men and women both," said 21-year-old biochemistry senior, Arial Dunson.
"I'm talking about clubs and strip clubs," Dunson said. "All that just makes it difficult to have an honest relationship and a monogamous relationship with people because there are so many different options available."
"In other cities it's not as prevalent. You don't have as many clubs; you don't have as many strip clubs. I think it's not as difficult," Dunson said.
Michael Flammia, 26, an active duty member of the U.S. Air Force, agrees.
"I'd say it's harder because everybody's spun up with the things that happen in Las Vegas," Flammia said. "Everybody's about gambling, money and partying. To find someone that actually enjoys stuff more than that is hard to find."
Amanda Epperson, a 23-year-old Texas native, said people are less willing to come out of their shells in a city with an ever-changing population.
"It seems like, here, everyone has their own prerogative, and they're not as friendly," Epperson said. "It seems here that people are more guarded just because it's Las Vegas, and it's Crazy Town, and everyone's watching their back"
LaQuincy Brass, a 23-year-old marketing sophomore, said the friendly singles are out and about in the Valley, but the challenge is making the right match.
"It's harder (in Las Vegas) because you've got to try to find that right person," Brass said. "It depends on what you're looking for. You've got some people that are just looking for one thing and some people looking for a relationship, so you've got to find that person with the same thing that you're looking for."
Lillian Ejiofor , a biology major, agrees.
"I think dating (in Las Vegas) is harder because it's harder to find people that meet your standards," Ejiofor said.
"The men I've met in my recent past, in the beginning, they'll seem all nice and stuff. Then once you start to get to know them, it's like they're not really what they seem to be about."
Outside of Las Vegas, there seems to be a consensus that it's easier for Cupid's bow to strike.
"Dating has been the easiest, I think, when I dated somebody that lives in Texas," Dunson said. "I think that was the easiest relationship that I've been in. Not to say that they don't have anything available to them. I think maybe it was specifically that person. He just seemed to have a different perspective on dating."
Epperson, a 23-year-old Texas native said the people in the Lone Star State are certainly more hospitable to strangers than the city of many hotels.
"In Texas, more people approached you," Epperson said. "If I ever went to a bar, I'd actually have a few people talk to me whereas, here, nobody."
Flammia added, "People are more down-to-earth outside Vegas and they actually care about more than the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas."
Brass said he calls the party line or searches online, looking for a special someone.
But for people who can't get out of town, where can they go and expect to find other singles?
Dunson said she encounters singles at the OPM nightclub.
"I've met them at clubs," Dunson said. "I mean I haven't chosen to date a lot of those people, but I've met a lot of people there."
"I try to meet people when I go to Pure," Epperson added. "I'm a friendly person. I'll talk to people and try to make friends."
Flammia, however, thinks meeting someone at a workplace is a better option.
"I think clubs are probably one of the worst places try to meet somebody to date if you're thinking about a serious relationship," Flammia said. "If you're thinking about a one-night-stand, (it's) possible."
Epperson, a manager of a movie theater, agrees that the workplace is another viable option to resuscitate a single slump.
"Actually, I meet quite a few people at work because, when people go to the movies they're a little more friendly" Epperson said. "Bar scenes here, not that great a place to try to pick up someone, but your job, it kinda works."
"When I find them, usually I'm out, just taking care of business, either the mall (or) the store, " Dunson said.
"I meet them at the movies (or) the mall," Brass said.
Ultimately, wherever people find romance, it doesn't always lead to happily-ever-after futures.
"I went out on a couple of dates with this guy," Dunson said. "We went out on the Strip, and we walked, and he paid. Then, a couple of days later, he called me and asked me if I ever planned on paying for anything that we went to do because I didn't seem to be a very generous person."
"It was a new one for me," Dunson added. "Pretty interesting."
Ejiofor had a recent encounter, which went slightly awry, as well.
"I was seeing this guy and one day we're supposed to hang out, so he calls me (while) I was in the middle of studying for test," Ejiofor said. "So, I drive all the way by Blue Diamond where he lived - because he had no car or form of (transportation) - to go seem him."
"So then we went and got some food, and I guess, while we're eating, his friend called him and invited him to go to the gym, and he told his friend yes," Ejiofor said. "So he's like 'Oh babe, I'm going to go to the gym with my friend. Can we try this again tomorrow?' I was, like, 'Excuse you? You can try this again tomorrow by yourself.'"
Epperson's story was more optimistic in the beginning, but soon soured as well.
"I was at this club - it was a gay club - I think it was called Girl Bar. There's this tall, model-like black girl, and there's, seriously, girls standing in line to talk to (her)," Epperson said. "There was no space at the bar because all these people are just leaning up against it , and that really tall, pretty girl was, like, 'You need a spot?' and I was like 'Yeah' and then she shooed away all the girls in the line to talk to me. We talked for a while, (but) I don't talk to her anymore."
Regardless of the lengths singles have to travel or the negative experiences they may encounter along the way, some are able to remain optimistic.
"I think dating is good," Dunson said. "And it gives you an idea of expected gender roles - how women are supposed to act, how men are supposed to act - within a relationship. I also think that it can be negative if you, by chance, run upon the wrong person to date."
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