Will on Fred
What were you hoping for?
To have a fun Saturday night with someone kind and easygoing.
First impressions?
Fred instantly made me feel very comfortable – we seemed to just swing straight into conversation and have a laugh. Oh, and I noticed his lovely eyes straight away.
What did you talk about?
Books. Our West Country upbringings. Reality TV. Opera and theatre … just about everything really. We matched each other’s energy and ability to go off on tangents, so never completed a conversation or thought.
Most awkward moment?
There really weren’t any.
Good table manners?
Great table manners, and very patient with my indecisive ordering.
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
Best thing about Fred?
His moustache. And his energy. Both were 10/10.
Would you introduce Fred to your friends?
Definitely.
Describe Fred in three words
Relaxed, genuine, handsome.
What do you think Fred made of you?
I hope all positive.
Did you go on somewhere?
Fred took me to what seemed to be the only nearby bar still open. We had a few more drinks and danced to some great 00s hits.
And … did you kiss?
I would be lying if I said we didn’t.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
The bar was quite loud, which meant I had to ask Fred to repeat himself about 86 times.
Marks out of 10?
9.
Would you meet again?
Well, we swapped numbers and mentioned a second date …
Fred on Will
What were you hoping for?
Fun and funny!
First impressions?
He was handsome, tall, chatty and right-on.
What did you talk about?
Our shared childhood passion for the clarinet. The Real Housewives and the importance of its depiction of women’s relationships on screen.
Most awkward moment?
Trying to get the lighting right for our cute little selfie.
Good table manners?
Very good.
Best thing about Will?
He was interesting and interested in everything I was wanging on about, and also thoughtful and quick witted.
Would you introduce Will to your friends?
Definitely.
Describe Will in three words.
Clever, charming, kind.
What do you think Will made of you?
Hopefully he thought I was a bit of all right.
Did you go on somewhere?
I Introduced Will to Freedom Bar as a Soho rite of passage.
And … did you kiss?
Rude not to!
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
The kitchen closed before I could get my dessert. Otherwise, not a thing.
Marks out of 10?
A solid 8.
Would you meet again?
Yes, it would be fun to see lovely Will again.
Fred and Will ate at Below Stone Nest, London W1. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
