Tom in Claire
What did you expect?
A fun opportunity to meet someone new.
First impressions?
Friendly, polite, warm.
What did you talk about?
Political commitment and why people should vote. BakeOff and MasterChef. Christmas music. The tribulations of sharing a flat.
Any awkward moment?
The police walked past our photo shoot. I found it quite uncomfortable!
Good table manners?
Impeccable.
The best of Claire?
How multi-talented she is: good at baking, music, photography, cooking, flowers, and more. She is a very accomplished person.
Would you introduce her to your friends?
Yeah, they’d think it’s cool.
Questions and answers
Do you want to be on Blind Date?
Show
The Blind Date is the Saturday dating column: Every week, two strangers pair up for dinner and drinks, then tell us the beans and answer a series of questions. This is published, with a photograph we took of each dater 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 put it together here.
What questions will they ask me?
We ask about age, location, occupation, hobbies, interests, and the type of person you want to meet. If you think these questions don’t cover everything you’d like to know, tell us what’s on your mind.
Can I choose who to pair up with?
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’ll choose the prettiest ones.
What personal data will appear?
Your name, job and age.
How should I respond?
Sincerely but with respect. Consider how it will read for your date, and that Blind Date reaches a large audience, in print and online.
Will I see the other person’s responses?
No. We may edit yours and theirs for a variety of reasons, including length, and we may ask you for more details.
Will you find me the one?
We will try it! Marriage! Babies!
Can I do it in my hometown?
Only if it’s in the UK. Many of our applicants live in London, but we’d love to hear from people who live elsewhere.
How to apply
Email [email protected]
Describe Claire in three words?
Talented, interesting, knowledgeable.
What do you think he made of you?
I really don’t know, maybe I talked too much.
Did you go somewhere?
Wings, No.
And… did you kiss?
See above.
If you could change one thing about the night, what would it be?
I could have pretended that I liked the sport a little more.
Scores out of 10?
9.
Would you meet again?
Like friends, absolutely!
Claire in Tom
What did you expect?
Good food and good conversation. And the hopeless romantic in me was secretly hoping for a knight in shining armor.
First impressions?
Tall, friendly, wanting to order an aperitif.
What did you talk about?
Meal. MasterChef, bake out. Devon. The trials and tribulations of a London flatshare. Voter apathy.
Any awkward moment?
There was a slight confusion between Drake and Francis Drake…
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Good table manners?
Fantastic until we get to dessert… Don’t use your fingers in the absence of a fork.
The best of Tom?
Easy to talk to.
Would you introduce him to your friends?
Yes I think so. He would make a great guest at a Sunday pub brunch.
Describe Tom in three words?
A true gentleman: he walked me to the bus stop.
What do you think he made of you?
That I really like food and I’m a big fan of night classes. And maybe also that I’m more of a fast drinker?!
Did you go somewhere?
It was a cold Monday night and it was time to head home.
And… did you kiss?
Unfortunately no kisses. There was no spark.
If you could change one thing about the night, what would it be?
That he had noted the white wine: Italian, fresh and delicious.
Scores out of 10?
7.
Would you meet again?
Unlikely.
Claire and Tom ate at Lina Stores, Greek Street, London W1. Do you fancy a blind date? Email [email protected]
www.theguardian.com
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism