Blind Date: ‘I’d have felt more comfortable if she had shared my enthusiasm for booze’
Angelica on Peter
What were you hoping for?
A great and varied conversation with a dash of mutual understanding.
First impressions?
Having arrived at the venue very early and pondered whether any of the gentlemen sitting nearby might be my date, I was very relieved when the waitress led me to the table where Peter was sitting.
What did you talk about?
Our previous lives, our families, hobbies, work, food. We even compared our tech skills. We talked for so long, the restaurant had to politely ask us to leave because they were closing.
Most awkward moment?
Peter said that he had a profound statement to make, but then could not remember what the statement was about.
Good table manners?
Yes, most definitely.
Best thing about Peter?
He appears very easy-going and is certainly an attentive listener.
Would you introduce Peter to your friends?
Yes, without hesitation.
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
Describe Peter in three words.
Polite, witty, honest.
What do you think Peter made of you?
He may have thought I talked too much.
Did you go on somewhere?
We walked together to the underground station, arm in arm for a while and boarded the same train, with Peter getting off before me.
And … did you kiss?
A little good-bye kiss.
If you could change one thing about the date, what would it be?
We could have gone on talking for another couple of hours. Peter did mention that he had bought an open return back to his home town, Norwich, so it would have been possible.
Marks out of 10?
Full marks.
Would you meet again?
We exchanged telephone numbers and email addresses.
Peter on Angelica
What were you hoping for?
Perhaps someone to become a part of my life with whom to share new experiences. Maybe a late-life loving relationship.
First impressions?
Surprisingly, somehow, someone I more or less hoped for. A petite, smartly dressed white-haired (neatly cropped) woman with a lovely open smile.
What did you talk about?
Education (Angelica had been a teacher and is still involved in further education), a little bit about the loss of our respective partners (hers an exciting-sounding Brazilian man). We also touched on some travel stuff and the arts.
Most awkward moment?
I was sitting at the table first, and when Angelica arrived I got my foot stuck between the table leg and seat, lurching awkwardly into what I hoped was a gentlemanly standing position to welcome her.
Good table manners?
Excellent – polite and considerate throughout.
Best thing about Angelica?
Her hearty laugh, lively sense of humour and articulate descriptions of her interesting life.
Would you introduce Angelica to your friends?
Without doubt, though I’m not sure she’d have a lot in common with my snooker partner.
Describe Angelica in three words.
Gregarious, verbal and confident.
What do you think Angelica made of you?
Heaven knows! Hopefully that I showed interest, was a good listener and didn’t make a complete idiot of myself. We did laugh a lot, so maybe that’s a good sign.
Did you go on somewhere?
We only walked to the underground together.
And … did you kiss?
No, though we shared a tube home, and when the time came for me to alight, one stop before her, we had a wobbly train hug and I think I planted a rather awkward kiss on her forehead.
If you could change one thing about the date, what would it be
Without wishing to be too insensitive, I would have felt a little more comfortable if Angelica had shared my enthusiasm for drinking booze. She abstained, but I rather guiltily enjoyed a half bottle of a fine white burgundy.
Marks out of 10?
I would say a steady 9.
Would you meet again
Possibly. We did exchange mobile numbers. It totally depends on how many marks I get out of 10!
Angelica and Peter ate at Quo Vadis, London W1. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
