Blind date: ‘Most awkward moment? When she squished an insect that was on my forehead’
What were you hoping for?
Really, just a fun night with minimal awkwardness was my fairly low expectation before the meeting.
First impressions?
A very positive, engaging lady with a beautiful smile.
What did you talk about?
Growing food, the joys of seeds, birdwatching, the failings of young people when it comes to proper raving, epigenetics and breaking generational cycles.
Most awkward moment?
Holly destroying an aphid, which had landed on my forehead, with a firm thumb squish. I should make clear that the poor aphid wasn’t in the lovely restaurant; it was outside an entirely different place, which had hanging baskets.
Good table manners?
Impeccable.
Best thing about Holly?
Holly was incredibly easy to converse with. Her assured nature and wide range of interests meant she was a joy to be with.
Would you introduce Holly to your friends?
In a heartbeat.
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 Holly in three words
Nuanced, sparkling, niche.
What do you think Holly made of you?
I reckon she was hugely impressed I could name every species of bird she had tattooed on her leg.
Did you go on somewhere?
Yes, a nearby pub then a little nightclub.
And … did you kiss?
Yes, we did.
If you could change one thing about the date, what would it be?
I would tone down my oversharing
Marks out of 10?
9.8.
Would you meet again?
I’m hugely looking forward to doing so.
Holly on Graeme
What were you hoping for?
To meet someone interesting and fun.
First impressions?
Warm, confident. Graeme quickly made me feel at ease.
What did you talk about?
Our mutual nerves about the evening. The joys of working outside. Forestry management for biodiversity. Rural living. The importance of dancing.
Most awkward moment?
I got overexcited about the menu and ordered quite a lot of food. We didn’t need the extra salad.
Good table manners?
Excellent: he kept our glasses topped up and was open to sharing dishes.
Best thing about Graeme?
He’s got a very curious mind and is a great listener.
Would you introduce Graeme to your friends?
He’d get along well with them.
Describe Graeme in three words
Warm, intelligent, open.
What do you think Graeme made of you?
I hope he thought I was easy to talk to.
Did you go on somewhere?
We did. We made the most of being in the city and sought out some music and dancing!
And … did you kiss?
Yes.
If you could change one thing about the date, what would it be?
Nothing – I had a really fun evening. Graeme is a lovely guy who is very easy to talk to and up for a laugh.
Marks out of 10?
A solid 8.
Would you meet again?
We live quite far apart, but we’ll see …
Holly and Graeme ate at the Palmerston in Edinburgh. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
KioskNews shows a cleaned-up reading view extracted from the publisher’s page — the original always lives on their site, not ours.