Blind date: ‘He said I looked like Kate Moss, then went, 'No, wait, Kate Bush – I still fancy her though!''
What were you hoping for?
A fun evening and my first column in the Guardian.
First impressions?
Very understanding about how late I was.
What did you talk about?
Ice-cream van turf wars. Whether you'd buy bedsheets from a charity shop. My undying love for Pizza Express. My new cow-print shoes.
Most awkward moment?
He told me I looked like Kate Moss, then went, 'No, wait, Kate Bush – I still fancy her though!'
Good table manners?
He was very good at sharing his food (and also took the pudding we didn't eat back for his friends who were staying with him).
Best thing about Jack?
He sang part of Dizzee Rascal's Dance Wiv Me to me during dinner, which is all I could want in a date.
Would you introduce Jack to your friends?
I would, but not the ones who are into running clubs (Jack hates running clubs).
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
Describe Jack in three words.
Sweet, sincere and funny.
What do you think Jack made of you?
He told me that I had great stories.
Did you go on somewhere?
Not on purpose, but we got totally lost in Westfield so we went to lots of different stations … just not the one we needed.
And … did you kiss?
Not after the stress of getting so lost.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
Probably the restaurant only letting us have one glass of wine each.
Marks out of 10?
A strong 8.
Would you meet again?
We found out we live 15 minutes from each other and run in the same park, so it will be hard not to.
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What were you hoping for?
An abundance of laughs, some great storytelling and lots of free food.
First impressions?
Excellent outfit and a great smile. She began with a story about how she got lost in a car park on the way to the restaurant – the perfect start.
What did you talk about?
Her book influencer life. Whether ice-cream vans are a British institution. The disdain she maintains for her family sausage dog. The time she got paid £120,000 by accident. Why parkrun is overrated.
Most awkward moment?
When I accidentally said she looked a bit like Kate Moss. I meant Kate Bush!
Good table manners?
I wasn't paying too much attention. I was focusing on our conversation.
Best thing about Emily?
She is a great storyteller. I could have listened to the recollections of her crazy encounters all night.
Would you introduce Emily to your friends?
Definitely. She could make good conversation with a brick wall.
Describe Emily in three words.
Really good fun.
What do you think Emily made of you?
I hope good things. I tried my best to be funny, but not sure I was successful.
Did you go on somewhere?
Only if getting hopelessly lost in Westfield counts. By the time we found our way out, most places were closing.
And … did you kiss?
Just an excellent hug this time.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
We live in the same part of south London – so perhaps not having to schlep to a restaurant in east London.
Marks out of 10?
9 – maybe full marks next time.
Would you meet again?She promised to take me for dim sum, so we will see.
Jack and Emily ate at Hera, London, E20. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
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