Blind date: ‘I would have liked more swooning on her part!'
What were you hoping for?
To meet the mother of my future five daughters: Raven, Phoenix, Ocean, River and Amethyst. Failing that, a dating horror story to regale friends with at parties.
First impressions?
She was my type – someone who looks as if they own an independent bookshop in Berlin that hosts poetry nights and socialist meetups.
What did you talk about?
AI, separating art from the artist, which TV shows we'd go on, how sex work is real work, the goddess Cate Blanchett.
Most awkward moment?
Trying the patience of our waitress – we were so busy talking that we took for ever to order.
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 applyEmail blind.date@theguardian.com
Good table manners?
Exemplary, she could open her own finishing school.
Best thing about Megan?
Charming and inquisitive.
Would you introduce Megan to your friends?
Only if they want to have a good time.
Describe Megan in three words
Intelligent, curious, gorgeous.
What do you think Megan made of you?
Devastatingly handsome and likely the most charming man alive.
Did you go on somewhere?
Hearing I had a train to catch, Megan walked me an hour and a half to the station.
And … did you kiss?
No, it wasn't quite the vibe, but I'd be open to it.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
To have had it in an escape room, the most underrated of first-date settings.
Marks out of 10?
9.2, I would have liked more swooning on her part!
Would you meet again?
I'd be surprised if we didn't.
What were you hoping for?
A fun night with someone equally willing to face up to the awkwardness of a slightly public first date.
First impressions?
He was 43% more fashionable than me.
What did you talk about?
Books (he was carrying a pretty worn copy of The Time Traveler's Wife), theatre, the worst jobs we've ever had.
Most awkward moment?
Navigating the fancy menu? It was a pretty non-awkward night.
Good table manners?
He let me have the last stalk of asparagus, so that bodes pretty well.
Best thing about Silva?
The thought-provoking and sometimes slightly alarming questions he asked seemingly out of nowhere.
Would you introduce Silva to your friends?
Absolutely, I'm sure they'd love him.
Describe Silva in three words
Charming, fashionable, generous.
What do you think Silva made of you?
A slightly nervous over-talker, but hopefully reasonably warm.
Did you go on somewhere?
I suggested a walk through London, mainly to prove to myself that I could make it back to Waterloo station.
And … did you kiss?
We didn't.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
That I wouldn't have had to keep checking Google Maps to make sure we were walking in the right direction.
Marks out of 10?
8, it was a lovely evening.
Would you meet again?
Sure! I think we had a really nice vibe as friends.
Megan and Silva ate at The Lavery, London SW7. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
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