Ellie in Tom
What did you expect?
Fluent conversation, free food, and meeting my future husband.
First impressions?
He was smartly dressed and relaxed.
What did you talk about?
Travel adventures and the discomfort of the photo shoot.
Any awkward moment?
He said they compared him to Jack Grealish and I couldn’t help laughing.
Good table manners?
Impeccable. We shared tapas, and when I mentioned that I was a vegetarian, he agreed not to eat meat with me. He didn’t even criticize me when I finished ordering the chorizo.
Questions and answers
Do you want to be on a blind date?
Show
The blind date is Saturday’s dating column: Every week, two strangers get together for dinner and drinks, and then they talk to us and answer a series of questions. This is published, with a photograph we take of each person quoted before the date, in Saturday magazine (in the UK) and online at theguardian.com every Saturday. It has been running since 2009; You can read all about how we make it here.
What questions will they ask me?
We ask about age, location, occupation, hobbies, interests and the type of person you are looking to meet. If you think these questions do not cover everything you would like to know, please let us know what you have in mind.
Can I choose who to match?
No, it’s a blind date! But we ask you a bit about your interests, preferences, etc., the more you tell us, the better the match.
Can I choose the photograph?
No, but don’t worry: we will choose the most beautiful ones.
What personal data will appear?
Your name, job and age.
How do I respond?
Honestly but respectfully. Consider how it will read for your date, and that blind date reaches a large audience, both in print and online.
Will I see the other person’s responses?
No. We can edit yours and theirs for a variety of reasons, including length, and we may ask for more details.
Will you find me the one?
We will try! Marriage! Babies!
Can I do it in my hometown?
Only if you are in the UK. Many of our applicants live in London, but we would love to hear from people who live elsewhere.
How to apply
Email [email protected]
Best of Thomas?
He was very easy to talk to and he has a genuine and warm laugh.
Would you introduce it to your friends?
Why not. I’m sure they’ll get along.
Describe Tom in three words?
Not Jack Grealish.
What do you think he made of you?
Hopefully he’s easy to talk to, probably a little loud, he’s definitely not a vegetarian.
Did you go somewhere?
After a few cocktails we went to another place for tapas and we stayed there until midnight.
And … did you kiss?
No.
If you could change one thing about the night, what would it be?
Missed the last train and my subway broke, so transport home.
Marks over 10?
8.
Would you meet again?
Our paths could definitely cross, but as friends.
Tom on Ellie
What did you expect?
Meet someone with whom I get along and have a fun evening.
First impressions?
Really pretty and less nervous than me.
What did you talk about?
Travel stories, Covid, bike thieves with machetes, music festivals, the merits of ballroom dancing versus twerking.
Any awkward moment?
I should have gone to the bar with her when we were trying to negotiate free cocktails instead of seeing the bartender’s confused look from afar.
Good table manners?
Impeccable.
The best of Ellie?
She is a 10/10 storyteller.
Would you introduce it to your friends?
They were trying to convince me to take her to a disco afterwards.
I would have, but not on a first date.
Describe Ellie in three words?
Funny, smart, attractive.
What do you think he made of you?
I wish it were good company.
Did you go somewhere?
We headed to a little Spanish place down the road for tapas and wine until we noticed the place had emptied around us.
And … did you kiss?
No.
If you could change one thing about the night, what would it be?
Not much. Maybe a slightly less windy photoshoot?
Marks over 10?
8.5.
Would you meet again?
I would definitely like to.
www.theguardian.com
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism