Blind date: ‘We laughed so hard the man at the next table shushed us’
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Sophie on Rebecca
What were you hoping for? Great conversation, since I’ve had way too many dates where I’ve borne the weight of the chat.
First impressions? Gracefully frazzled, but with purpose! Smiley, friendly and very easy to talk to.
What did you talk about? Obtrusive men on the tube. Comedy and theatre. Jane Austen novels. The kill-the-gays trope.
Most awkward moment? When I got a bit Shakespearean with a sprig of dried lavender.
Good table manners? Rebecca’s were impeccable. Meanwhile, I was scraping some dropped raita out of my palm with a tablespoon.
Blind 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.
Best thing about Rebecca? Her discretion. I asked about difficult people she’d worked with – she’d tell me what they did but not who they were. If you want anonymity, she’s your woman!
Would you introduce Rebecca to your friends? I would – she’d be a fun addition to a day out.
Describe Rebecca in three words. Amusing, self-assured, familiar.
What do you think Rebecca made of you? It’s hard to ignore how chatty and distractible I can be; I don’t think I actually finished a story without getting inspiration for, and starting, a new one.
Did you go on somewhere? She had evening work commitments, so we left things at the restaurant.
And … did you kiss? I never would on a first date, but we had a polite departing hug.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be? I’d have eaten less, so I had stamina for thinking up better questions.
Marks out of 10? I left happy, and made a new London contact, so 10 for great company and chats.
Would you meet again? As friends, yes. New to London, I definitely need more of those.
Rebecca on Sophie
What were you hoping for? Someone nice to share some good food and have a nice conversation with.
First impressions? Sophie seemed very at ease and confident.
What did you talk about? Books and movies. Living abroad. How when the Guardian replied to my request for a Blind date I thought it was a scam!
Most awkward moment? When we laughed so hard the man at the next table shushed us.
Good table manners? Impeccable, including a very smoothly resolved yoghurt-in-hand incident.
Best thing about Sophie? How easily she made the conversation flow.
Would you introduce Sophie to your friends? Yes.
Describe Sophie in three words. Funny, well-read, creative.
What do you think Sophie made of you? I like to believe she enjoyed the conversation and thought I was interesting.
Did you go on somewhere? No, I had to run off.
And … did you kiss? No, we parted as friends.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be? To have eaten a little bit less – I was in a food coma for hours.
Marks out of 10? A strong 8.
Would you meet again? Maybe at one of her comedy shows.
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