Blind date: ‘He handled an allergic reaction with stoicism, while I fretted about having to tell the Guardian I’d killed my date’
Felix on Erin
What were you hoping for?
Someone to talk to about absolutely awful movies. More importantly, someone kind in wonderful knitwear.
First impressions?
Instant energy and joy, though sadly no knitwear!
What did you talk about?
The correct way to order a cheeky monkey spritz. What we imagined the texture of a minion to be like (leathery?). Whether our parents will read this.
Most awkward moment?
Telling the group who took our photo we were on a Guardian blind date, only for them to be completely uninterested.
Good table manners?
Not a gripe. And she had a sympathetic bedside manner after I tried her leek and potato soup and had an allergic reaction (inexplicably, it contained hazelnuts).
Best thing about Erin?
I’ve never been on a date with someone I felt so completely at ease with. She wore a tie to the meal, too.
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
Would you introduce Erin to your friends?
Everyone but Tom, who would trap her in archaeology discourse for hours.
Describe Erin in three words.
Just utterly lovely.
What do you think Erin made of you?
Hopefully that she liked the coat I had borrowed specifically for the evening and that I wasn’t as much of a red flag as her friend had imagined.
Did you go on somewhere?
The final mulled wine knocked us flat, so sadly not.
And … did you kiss?
Yes! On the cheek.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
See hazelnut incident, above.
Marks out of 10?
Eight. Lost a point for taking her tie off three minutes in. (I loved the tie.)
Would you meet again?
I really hope so.
Erin on Felix
What were you hoping for?
I’ve always dreamed of meeting someone sight unseen and seeing their opinion of me in the national news.
First impressions?
Relief! I could tell right away that we were going to have a lovely evening.
What did you talk about?
Unfortunate experiences at border control. Pseudoarchaeology (booo!). Good student films, bad student films and how to tell the difference.
Most awkward moment?
Felix handled a minor allergic reaction with admirable stoicism while I fretted about having to tell the Guardian that I had killed my date.
Good table manners?
I have zero authority on the subject and also an ideological opposition to this question, but yes.
Best thing about Felix?
He is a wonderful person with a big heart, quick wit and a healthy respect for the necktie.
Would you introduce Felix to your friends?
Yes!
Describe Felix in three words.
Warm, articulate and goofy.
What do you think Felix made of you?
I arrived a couple of minutes late gasping for breath after running from the station, so I can’t imagine the first impression was spellbinding. Hopefully it didn’t go downhill from there.
Did you go on somewhere?
Alas, he had to catch a train and I was catastrophically full of gnocchi, so we bid adieu outside the restaurant.
And … did you kiss?
No, but I ordered a cheeky monkey spritz in front of him, which felt equally intimate.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
How much of the waitstaff’s time we wasted by repeatedly forgetting to look at the menu and order.
Marks out of 10?
I’ll put it in terms he and his film bros will understand: ★★★★★
Would you meet again?
I’ve always wanted to visit Brighton, so if Felix sees me wandering like a wayward tourist, I hope he’ll intervene.
Erin and Felix ate at The Cavendish, London W1. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
