Blind date: ‘Spoiler alert – I’m going on another date with Sam’

1 year ago 50

Madeline on Sam

What were you hoping for?
A great date or a good story to tell the extended family at Thanksgiving.

First impressions?
Sam was a bit late but made up for it with his great conversation skills. I was a bit nervous and he really put me at ease. I also thought he was very cute, very open and a good listener.

What did you talk about?
Theatre. Rabies. Ghosts trapped in ice cubes. Nooch. Growing up with Harry Potter. Spicy food tolerance. My cultural adaptation to the UK – I’m from the US – and Maddie the dog.

Most awkward moment?
There were funny moments, but nothing awkward.

Good table manners?
Very good.

Best thing about Sam?
Probably his high emotional IQ – he is a great listener, is self-aware and really genuine and kind.

Would you introduce Sam to your friends?
Absolutely. He would be a natural fit.

Describe Sam in three words.
Kind, charismatic, sharp.

What do you think Sam made of you?
Probably that I was nervous (but glad to be on a date with him) and a reckless street crosser.

Q&A

Fancy a 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

Did you go on somewhere?
We did. That’s where the haunted ice cube was.

And … did you kiss?
I’ll let Sam answer that.

If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
I wouldn’t have had to catch a train out of London. Conversation with Sam was so easy and fun.

Marks out of 10?
Sam and the evening as a whole were outstanding. So a 10! And – a spoiler – we’re going on another date!

Would you meet again?
We will!

Sam on Madeline

What were you hoping for?
A fellow member of the Guardian-reading, tofu-eating wokerati to have a few laughs with.

First impressions?
Maddy was lovely. I couldn’t believe how easily the conversation flowed.

What did you talk about?
Acting. Her life in Seattle. Her PhD and her dance classes. Our families. How hilarious we thought the situation was and, eventually, Harry Potter.

Most awkward moment?
Probably how much Maddy hated her cocktail at the bar we ended up in after dinner: £22 for non-alcoholic Calpol, while we were sat right in front of the barman. It was funny, to be fair.

Good table manners?
We shared all our food.

Best thing about Maddy?
I found her so easy to listen and chat to, and we had some really big laughs. We sent our follow-up texts at the same time, which was just adorable.

Would you introduce Maddy to your friends?
Absolutely. Most of them have heard the story of “Guardian Girl” by now …

Describe Maddy in three words.
Intelligent, kind, beautiful.

What do you think Maddy made of you?
Funny and a bit sweet. She put up with me translating everything into American English before eventually saying: “I know what A-levels are, Sam!”

Did you go on somewhere?
To the Calpol bar, a stroll through town and then I went with her to the station.

And … did you kiss?
I’ll let Maddy answer that one.

If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
It could have gone on longer. We were chatting for five hours but I felt we had so much more to say.

Marks out of 10?
We ended up outside platform 9¾ at King’s Cross station, which felt right …

Would you meet again?
I’m already looking up a less Calpol-y bar for next time.

Sam and Madeline ate at Rüya, London W1. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com

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