• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
College Magazine logo

College Magazine

College Life, Dating, Career & Campus Advice

  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
    • Find Your College
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
Home » Latest Posts » Pick-Up Tips From…The Activist
Life

Pick-Up Tips From…The Activist

Facebook Tweet
Tori Lewis   October 8, 2011

Julie Zeilinger is an activist, a self-identified feminist and the founder and editor of The FBomb…and she’s only a freshman! This young woman, attending Barnard College, Columbia University is definitely going somewhere. She is currently writing a book for Seal Press about teenage feminism, entitled "A Little F'd Up: Why Feminism Is Not A Dirty Word" that is slated for a Spring 2012 release. Find out how dating fits into that and more!

CM: How did you get involved in activism? 

I first became aware of feminism in 8th grade when I had to give a speech to my entire middle school. I found an article about female feticide and infanticide (a practice which most commonly occurs in South Asian countries where parents abort female fetuses / murder female infants based on their gender). I was stunned that such a misogynistic, horrible practice existed, but I was even more disturbed that it was occurring and that I'd never heard about it and that more people weren't concerned or doing something to stop it. It made me wonder what other misogynistic things were happening in the world that I didn't even know about. That's when I started to research women's issues and learn more about feminist activism, which seeks to end gender-based violence like female feticide/infanticide, amongst many, many other important pursuits. 

CM: What impact do you think feminism has had on your love life?

Honestly, I think it's only been beneficial. The greatest thing about identifying as a feminist is that in a way it's self-selecting. If a guy knows that you're a feminist and is smart enough not to believe all the ugly stereotypes and misconceptions that surround that word, then it's a pretty good indicator that he'd be a great guy to date. I think I've avoided dating a lot of jerks because of my willingness to self-identify as a feminist – in fact all of the guys I've dated have been extraordinarily sweet and totally supportive of my feminist beliefs.

CM: Do you like to make the first move?


trending

413

10 Student Organizations Breaking the Mold at Berkeley

179

Top 10 Spots Around Emerson College to Get Inspired

156

Top 10 Ways to Spot a UT Austin Alum


I'm getting better about this. I used to feel like a horrible feminist because I was always way too scared to ask for a guy's number or even to text him first. Over time I've become less self-conscious about it and if I like a guy, I just go for it. 

CM: What trait do you most look for in a potential partner?

A good sense of humor. I can pretty much work with anything except for somebody who is humorless. 

CM: What’s your biggest turn-off?

Ignorance. For example, it doesn't bother me so much if a guy doesn't understand what feminism is – that can always be explained – but it does bother me if he doesn't know what it is and acts like he does, or feels that the negative assumptions he's already made about it are facts, rather than being open to learning about it. 

CM: What is the cheesiest pick up line you have ever heard?

"Are you tired? Because you've been running through my mind all day." I mean…come on.  

CM: How do you let down someone that you’re not interested in?

By asking to just be friends and really meaning it. It's obviously a cliché, but it actually has worked out for me in the past.

CM: What’s a deal-breaker for you?

If a guy completely rejects feminism, then he's completely rejecting a really intrinsic part of who I am. I can't be with somebody who has a problem with something that means so much to me.

CM: Last question, what advice would you give to someone who wants to pick you up?

Say something really witty and intelligent. If that's not possible, at least buy me food. 

About Tori Lewis

Sophomore > English and Feminist Studies > Stanford University

What I Wish I Had Known About Mental Health So I Wouldn’t Have to Call Myself a College Dropout

Ant-Man Opens the Doors for Marvel’s New Phase

10 Boba Tea Spots for Houston College Students

10 Ways to Have Fun with Your Friends Indoors

Do You Actually Care, Or Do You Want to Look Like You Do?

unsplash.com

Top Ten Inspirational Quotes from Your Favorite Sports TV Shows

I lived with my three best friends. Here’s how it went.

21 Things to Do in Williamsburg When You’re Under 21

The Beauty and Pain of Living Alone

Previous Post:Remaining Doors Members Record With Skrillex
Next Post:Major Mixed Signals

colleges

  • College Guides
  • College Rankings
  • Campus life
  • Academics
  • Dating
  • Freshmen Year
  • Health
  • Party

majors

  • All College Majors
  • Most Popular Majors
  • Choosing a Major

intern

  • Internships Directory
  • How to Write a Resume
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • How to Interview
  • How to Get an Internship
  • How to Network

money

  • How to Make Money
  • How to Save Money
  • How to Get a Job
  • Credit Cards 101
  • College Loans

travel

  • Study Abroad
  • College Spring Break
  • How to Travel Cheap
  • Things to Do

shop

  • College Packing List
  • Gift Guides
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

College Magazine logo

Copyright © 2023 Powered by BizBudding