Adrian on Catherine
What were you hoping for?
Someone cute for my national press debut, and hopefully a connection, too.
First impressions?
A big warm smile and a strong leopard-print top.
What did you talk about?
How nervous we’d both been all day. The world of dating. Work. Travel. Music. My fussy eating. Why garden cities are called that. How
drinking gin and tonic can protect you from malaria (still to be factchecked).
Most awkward moment?
A friendly (and slightly drunk) stranger in a pub took a liking to us and asked for my number so we could go on a double date with him and his partner.
Good table manners?
Well, Catherine got to the area four hours early and still managed to arrive at the restaurant after me, so not sure. Just joking, her table manners were impeccable!
Q&A
Fancy 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
Best thing about Catherine?
She’s an all-round sweetie but if I had to pick one thing, I’d say a great listener.
Would you introduce Catherine to your friends?
Definitely. I invited her to my birthday, but she’s having a party the same day so my friends will have to wait.
Describe Catherine in three words.
Kind, positive and inquisitive.
What do you think she made of you?
That I’m fun and a good chat.
Did you go on somewhere?
Drinks at a pub, a fun karaoke night at another pub, then a rest on a couple of chairs we found on the pavement.
And … did you kiss?
After the fun night we had, it would’ve been rude not to.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
Absolutely nothing, it was the best date I’ve been on in a while.
Marks out of 10?
10.
Would you meet again?
Yes! We’re meeting again in a few days.
Catherine on Adrian
What were you hoping for?
Nice company, good conversation and Caribbean cuisine.
First impressions?
Kind. He told me to “settle in”, which was really comforting given the nerves walking to the restaurant.
What did you talk about?
Introducing Adrian to Desert Island Discs! Our mutual passion for music and dancing, food and cinema.
Most awkward moment?
Adrian made friends with a local in the pub who asked us both, rather determinedly, if we wanted to go on a double date to meet his other half.
Good table manners?
He got there early, which says it all.
Best thing about Adrian?
From the offset he was friendly, he put me at ease and made me laugh.
Would you introduce Adrian to your friends?
I invited him to a party I’m throwing, but selfishly it clashes with his birthday.
Describe Adrian in three words
Interested, quick-witted and charming.
What do you think he made of you?
I got his jokes and even made him laugh, despite my clear lack of remembering some specific details of my stories.
Did you go on somewhere?
After discovering we lived near each other, we headed back to our neighbourhood and sweet-talked our way into a packed-out karaoke night.
And … did you kiss?
We did. He walked me home, a real gent.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
There are no regrets!
Marks out of 10?
10.
Would you meet again?
I would. He’s my neighbour after all.
Catherine and Adrian ate at Guanabana, London NW1. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
