Blind date: ‘I should have made a move, but I’m not good at that sort of thing’ | Dating
Suli on Abigo
What were you hoping for?
To meet someone I felt comfortable around and easy to talk to.
First impressions?
Abigo was funny and quite sure of herself.
What did you talk about?
Quite a lot: our creative sides, working in retail, mental health, family dynamics …
Most awkward moment?
I didn’t really feel awkward at any point after the first five minutes – and that was only nerves and me arriving a bit late. We had good chemistry.
Good table manners?
No complaints from me.
Best thing about Abigo?
I don’t think I can name just one: she was charming, confident, funny, intelligent, beautiful.
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
Would you introduce Abigo to your friends?
My friends are on a similar wavelength to me, so Abigo would be welcomed by them.
Describe Abigo in three words.
Feminist, influential, a diva.
What do you think Abigo made of you?
Laid-back, go with the flow, a sincere guy.
Did you go on somewhere?
We went to a park nearby to talk for a bit longer. She had an early train the next day, so we couldn’t stay too long.
And … did you kiss?
On the cheek, if that counts.
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
I should have made a move, but I’m not good at that sort of thing. Otherwise it was a perfectly pleasant experience.
Marks out of 10?
9.
Would you meet again?
We are planning to go to the cinema soon.
Abigo on Suli
What were you hoping for?
To meet someone nice and interesting and eat some good food.
First impressions?
Super friendly and genuine. Couldn’t tell if he was nervous or just naturally a little reserved. He was dressed very well and was super polite.
What did you talk about?
Mental health. Dream jobs. School. Shoplifting. Music … and literally everything else. I had word vomit.
Most awkward moment?
He mentioned he has another date coming up. I could tell he felt awkward about being that honest, but I genuinely don’t think he knows how to lie or withhold information. It’s kind of cute.
Good table manners?
Great. We exchanged bites of steak.
Best thing about Suli?
He’s so easy to talk to, genuine and very down to earth. He has a very calming presence. And kind eyes. I told him that two minutes in.
Would you introduce Suli to your friends?
Absolutely. He would fit right in.
Describe Suli in three words.
Genuine, charming, layered.
What do you think Suli made of you?
Chatty, confident and medicated.
Did you go on somewhere?
We sat in a park and talked.
And … did you kiss?
No.
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
I would have liked to have gone on somewhere afterwards.
Marks out of 10?
10!
Would you meet again?
Yes.
Abigo and Suli ate at Gaucho in Manchester. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
