Lily on Brodie
What were you hoping for?
Love, passion … marriage. Failing that, some good craic and a free dinner.
First impressions?
Very friendly and apologetic for being a little underdressed for the restaurant.
What did you talk about?
Our experiences working in hospitality and political canvassing. Our shared hatred of dating apps. How the restaurant gave us way too much food.
Most awkward moment?
I made him take a few too many selfies in case some of them turned out bad.
Good table manners?
Yes – “pleases” and “thank yous” to serving staff always go a long way.
Best thing about Brodie?
He seemed open to trying lots of new things and going with the flow of life. And he was happy to go along with all of my silly jokes.
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
Would you introduce Brodie to your friends?
I think they’d all get along very well. We had quite a lot in common.
Describe Brodie in three words.
Open, friendly and charming.
What do you think Brodie made of you?
Hopefully that I was funny and a good enough way to spend a Saturday night.
Did you go on somewhere?
No. We stayed in the restaurant until quite late, but my jet lag from a recent trip and the mountain of curry we ate caught up with me.
And … did you kiss?
No, just a friendly hug. I don’t think there was any romantic chemistry.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
Maybe the seating arrangement: morally, I am very against sitting elbow to elbow.
Marks out of 10?
7.
Would you meet again?
I don’t think so. Brodie was lovely and a great chat, but I was hoping for someone a bit older. Maybe I’ll see him out door-knocking at the next election.
Brodie on Lily
What were you hoping for?
Meet someone new without having to resort to Hinge; a laugh and a free meal.
First impressions?
Lily was a lot better dressed than me. And had an accent I couldn’t place.
What did you talk about?
Ceilidhs. The Green party. Talking to strangers. How fancy the restaurant was.
Most awkward moment?
Maybe when I said I thought she might be a Mancunian (she’s a Scouser).
Good table manners?
Yes, although neither of us knew which set of cutlery to use.
Best thing about Lily?
Lots of cool things going on in her life: studying; hobbies; moving around. Plus she had stayed in the wee village I lived in for a while, which was very wholesome.
Would you introduce Lily to your friends?
Why ever not!
Describe Lily in three words.
Clever, good selfie-taker, bold.
What do you think Lily made of you?
Definitely similar in the no-spark type thing – always convenient when that’s mutual. Hopefully a bit interesting – and maybe a bit of a daydreamer.
Did you go on somewhere?
No.
And … did you kiss?
Also no.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
Less hay fever: I was fighting for my life half the evening. And next time I’ll check the place out on Google and dress a bit more accordingly.
Marks out of 10?
In a friendly rating, somewhere around 8. As a date, lower.
Would you meet again?
No, we’re quite different types of people. And I’m hoping to leave London asap, while Lily’s very happy here.
Lily and Brodie ate at Bombay Brasserie, London SW7. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
