Richard on Katrina
What were you hoping for?
Easy conversation with someone interesting, smart and relaxed.
First impressions?
Katrina arrived and my blind date trepidation vanished. She looked good, was warm, and the conversation flowed straight away.
What did you talk about?
Our grownup kids. Running. Travel. Our devotion to our coffee machines.
Most awkward moment?
I thought Katrina was still working her way through her post-meal mint tea, so was taken aback when she said, “Shall we call it a night?”
Good table manners?
Impeccable.
Best thing about Katrina?
She is great company.
Would you introduce Katrina to your friends?
Yes. I’m sure she gets on really well with most people.
Q&AFancy 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
Describe Katrina in three words
Calm, warm, open.
What do you think Katrina made of you?
She laughed at a few things I said, and we had quite a few things in common, so I think she felt I was easy company.
Did you go on somewhere?
As we left the restaurant and saw a queue of young people outside a bar, I joked that we should join them for a club night. We didn’t.
And … did you kiss?
No.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
Nothing. I had a fun evening with a lovely woman and don’t think it could have been improved.
Marks out of 10?
A strong 8.
Would you meet again?
I really enjoyed Katrina’s company, we talked and laughed a lot. So of course.
Katrina on Richard
What were you hoping for?
To finally meet “the one”.
First impressions?
Polite, relaxed and quietly handsome.
What did you talk about?
Coffee snobbery – our coffee machines (identical), the best beans, our children aspiring to own the same machine.
Most awkward moment?
Arriving late.
Good table manners?
Impeccable. Attentive without ever being overbearing.
Best thing about Richard?
He’s a great conversationalist.
Would you introduce Richard to your friends?
Of course.
Describe Richard in three words
Warm, genuine, polite.
What do you think Richard made of you?
I hope he saw me as warm, approachable and engaging.
Did you go on somewhere?
No. We looked at the club opposite, but agreed that wasn’t going to happen.
And … did you kiss?
No. Just a polite and rather formal goodbye.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
Honestly, not much. I really enjoyed the evening, and for a blind date it exceeded my expectations.
Marks out of 10?
9/10.
Would you meet again?
Possibly, as friends – I’m not sure there was a romantic spark, but I really enjoyed his company. I’d happily introduce him to the joys of the hill at Ashton Court parkrun.
Katrina and Richard ate at Marmo in Bristol. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
