In an unconventional quest for love, Deejay O’Dowd, a Northcote asbestos consultant from Auckland, has steered away from dating apps and onto the road by turning his car into a mobile personal advert. Kicking off the new year with a unique approach, O’Dowd has customized a family sticker on his car, humorously stating that the partner role is ‘currently vacant.’
Expressing his decision, O’Dowd remarked, “I wasn’t quite prepared to go on Tinder, but I thought I would give this a go for a bit of a laugh.” The 51-year-old, who stands at 1.78m tall (coincidentally the same height as Bond actor Daniel Craig), has been single for 18 months and is on a journey of recovery from alcoholism.
While playfully mentioning his ideal partner as Australian actress Margot Robbie, O’Dowd is open to meeting someone with a good sense of humor, possibly also separated with kids. His unconventional approach has garnered positive responses, with a few texts received in the last few days since the advert adorned his car’s rear window.
O’Dowd, a father to 12-year-old Liam and nine-year-old Amelia, along with their tabby cat Oreo, shared that the family is supportive of his unique way of putting himself out there. Describing himself as a pretty average guy who enjoys staying active by working, spending time with his kids, going to the gym, and cycling, O’Dowd has injected a dose of humor into his pursuit of companionship.
“I just did it as a bit of a laugh. It’s nice that people are interested,” he added. As he takes love on the road, O’Dowd’s unconventional and lighthearted approach to finding a partner stands out in contrast to the digital landscape of dating apps.