Charley on Matt
What were you hoping for?
I went into the date with no expectations. I’m not really looking for anything specific at the moment so I was looking for a fun evening with someone interesting. I was mostly hoping it wouldn’t be boring!
First impressions?
Great shirt and instantly friendly.
What did you talk about?
Veganism. Why our past relationships ended. His foray into swing dance.
Most awkward moment?
Nothing really – except a rogue piece of bruschetta that flew off my plate and on to the floor.
Good table manners?
Definitely. It was tapas and he was a good sharer.
Best thing about Matt?
He has interesting opinions on a lot of topics, but was also a good listener.
Fancy a blind date?
ShowBlind date is Saturday’s dating column: every week, two strangers are paired up for dinner and drinks, and then spill the beans to us, answering a set of questions. This runs, with a photograph we take of each dater before the date, in Saturday magazine (in the UK) and online at theguardian.com every Saturday. It’s been running since 2009 – you can read all about how we put it together here.
What questions will I be asked?
We
ask about age, location, occupation, hobbies, interests and the type of
person you are looking to meet. If you do not think these questions
cover everything you would like to know, tell us what’s on your mind.
Can I choose who I match with?
No,
it’s a blind date! But we do ask you a bit about your interests,
preferences, etc – the more you tell us, the better the match is likely
to be.
Can I pick the photograph?
No, but don't worry: we'll choose the nicest ones.
What personal details will appear?
Your first name, job and age.
How should I answer?
Honestly
but respectfully. Be mindful of how it will read to your date, and that
Blind date reaches a large audience, in print and online.
Will I see the other person’s answers?
No. We may edit yours and theirs for a range of reasons, including length, and we may ask you for more details.
Will you find me The One?
We’ll try! Marriage! Babies!
Can I do it in my home town?
Only if it’s in the UK. Many of our applicants live in London, but we would love to hear from people living elsewhere.
How to apply
Email blind.date@theguardian.com
Would you introduce Matt to your friends?
Matt seems like the kind of guy you could introduce to anyone.
Describe Matt in three words.
Thoughtful, interesting, mature.
What do you think Matt made of you?
I hope Matt liked me as a friend. We had some interesting conversations but I think he felt the same as me – that chemistry-wise it wasn’t quite there.
Did you go on somewhere?
No.
And … did you kiss?
We didn’t. He’s a lovely guy but there was definitely more of a friendly vibe than a flirty one.
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
I like a bit more banter on a date. Maybe we just have a different sense of humour.
Marks out of 10?
7.
Would you meet again?
Not romantically, but it sounds like he’d be a fun mate on a night out – he says he’s always the first on the dancefloor, and the last to leave.
Matt on Charley
What were you hoping for?
To eat good food and break the monotony of using dating apps.
First impressions?
Relaxed, articulate, full of earnest curiosity, and striking green eyes.
What did you talk about?
She said her friends found me online before our date, but she didn’t look. How she is yet to experience “wedding season” in her friendship circle, also – Jewish weddings and the hora chair dance. There was a shared enthusiasm for autofiction, Abba Voyage and dancing. She asked why my previous relationships ended.
Most awkward moment?
Honestly, there wasn’t one.
Good table manners?
Very. She studied Spanish and helped decipher some items on the menu. And asked me if she had food on her face, which then made me think I must have food on my face.
Best thing about Charley?
Her get-up-and-go attitude.
Would you introduce Charley to your friends?
With great pleasure.
Describe Charley in three words.
Warm, clever, funny.
What do you think Charley made of you?
Hopefully that I made an effort and that we had things in common. She didn’t seem in a hurry to leave – we stayed talking until the place closed.
Did you go on somewhere?
No.
And … did you kiss?
We didn’t.
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
Better weather.
Marks out of 10?
9.
Would you meet again?
I don’t think so, the romantic chemistry wasn’t quite there. Also, she’s moving to Italy in three months’ time.
Charley and Matt ate at Parrillan, London SE1. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
English (US)