Scott on Maria
What were you hoping for?
Small plates and big chat.
First impressions?
Phew, she’s really easy to talk to and knows what half the wine on the list is. This should be a very lovely evening.
What did you talk about?
Fizzy water. Em and en dashes. How orange wine is made. Not being able to do outdoor PE due to prowling wild bears.
Most awkward moment?
Asking Maria what it like growing up in Toronto. She is from Vancouver!
Good table manners?
Excellent. I usually hate eating out on a first date but felt very at ease thanks to Maria’s disarming persona.
Best thing about Maria?
She was warm and made me feel comfortable. She was also wearing great blue eyeliner.
Q&AFancy a blind date?
Show
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.
How to apply
Email blind.date@theguardian.com
Would you introduce Maria to your friends?
Yes, she’s very friendly and good at both small talk and large talk.
Describe Maria in three words.
Corking, witty, humdinger.
What do you think Maria made of you?
Who is this weird Brit?
Did you go on somewhere?
Unfortunately, no.
And … did you kiss?
No, but we shared a damp parting hug (it was raining).
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
I’d have liked to have stayed for longer.
Marks out of 10?
A solid 9.
Would you meet again?
Yes, we swapped numbers before going our separate ways.
Maria on Scott
What were you hoping for?
To find the love of my life, of course!
First impressions?
Really sweet. He was there before me, which will be a shock to my friends, as I’m always the first to arrive anywhere.
What did you talk about?
Stuff we both geek out over, like the nuanced difference between a hyphen, an en and em dash. Teaching students. Moving to London. Our families. Stand-up comedy. Performing. Music.
Most awkward moment?
He mistakenly identified me as being from Toronto rather than Vancouver. Understandable, but for a Canadian it’s like mistaking Brighton and Blackpool.
Good table manners?
Perfect. It was a cute sharing-plates restaurant, and there was no fighting over the cheddar bites. He played fair.
Best thing about Scott?
He had that British witty charm. I was laughing the whole night.
Would you introduce Scott to your friends?
Sure, after getting to know him more.
Describe Scott in three words.
Warm, funny, empathic.
What do you think Scott made of you?
He was impressed – or traumatised – by my stand-up comedy stories.
Did you go on somewhere?
No, the restaurant was too charming.
And … did you kiss?
He walked with me to the bus stop – no kiss but a good hug.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
Nothing – even the rain at the end was picturesque. OK, maybe I’d have brought an umbrella.
Marks out of 10?
8, a nice evening, but the first date is only the tip of the iceberg. It’s good to leave room for things to flourish.
Would you meet again?
I think so – we exchanged numbers.
Scott and Maria ate at Little Cellars, London SE5. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com