Blind date: ‘I fired half a baklava across the table, but I think I styled it out’

1 year ago 97

Alex on Maeve

What were you hoping for?
Good company and good food.

First impressions?
Great – the classic “fancy seeing you here” opener got rid of any potential awkwardness.

What did you talk about?
Death row meals. Bad dates. Whether or not the restaurant staff thought we were food critics from the Guardian rather than on a date.

Most awkward moment?
Me firing half a baklava across the table, but I think I styled it out.

Good table manners?
Impeccable. She’s clearly a seasoned Middle Eastern cuisine expert, we got a great selection of food.

Best thing about Maeve?
Great conversation and a real laugh. Also, the fact we had a 95% music taste match on our Spotify blend.

Would you introduce Maeve to your friends?
Absolutely. I think they’d get on well.

Describe Maeve in three words.
Confident, charismatic, Aussie.

What do you think Maeve made of you?
Hopefully good things – I think our mutual enjoyment of decaf coffee probably sealed the deal.

Did you go on somewhere?
We did – we had 1 ⅓ pints before the pub ran out of beer.

Q&A

Want to be in Blind date?

Show

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

And … did you kiss?
Sadly not.

If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
Maybe me not sporting a Movember moustache for the date. But Maeve did say it looked good.

Marks out of 10?
We decided we weren’t going to do ratings. But it was a great date so make of that what you will.

Would you meet again?
Hopefully. We discussed catching up after I get back from three weeks in Costa Rica.

Maeve on Alex

What were you hoping for?
Good hummus or a future husband.

First impressions?
Thank God he’s here. Thank God we’re not the only people in the restaurant. Thank God he looks like a nice guy.

What did you talk about?
The classics: life stories, travel stories, dating stories. The less classic: ideal Gail’s bakery orders, the menu for the last meal on Earth, Alex being a guest at a dog-themed wedding.

Most awkward moment?
The waiting staff thought we were food critics reviewing the restaurant.

Good table manners?
Yes, but his baklava went flying.

Best thing about Alex?
He’s not a classic tech bro. Well dressed, well read, well travelled. He can hike a mountain on minimal sleep and with only a can of Pringles.

Would you introduce Alex to your friends?
I think he could handle it.

Describe Alex in three words.
Loved the moustache.

What do you think Alex made of you?
We had a lot of things in common and he didn’t want to go home after the starters, so hopefully that I was fun.

Did you go on somewhere?
To a pub nearby.

And … did you kiss?
Got to save something for next time …

If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
Taking a mouthful of the mystery table sauce that turned out to be pure chilli.

Marks out of 10?
You can’t put a number on a good time.

Would you meet again?
We’ll see. He might “find himself” on his trip to Costa Rica and not return.

Maeve and Alex ate at Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, London W1. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com

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