Yusuf on Hannah
What were you hoping for?
Someone interesting, good chat is more important than anything. And a fun story. I like a random side quest.
First impressions?
Great smile, really lovely northern accent – she seemed confident and excited.
What did you talk about?
Her Hackney half marathon. And her disdain for people in finance. “Not in finance” was her one date request (I work in finance).
Most awkward moment?
Hannah said she thought I could be dyslexic five minutes in.
Good table manners?
Yep, no notes.
Best thing about Hannah?
Her accent, or her brains – she’s studying for a PhD.
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 Hannah to your friends?
My friends get on with most people, and the same is probably true for Hannah.
Describe Hannah in three words
Charismatic, clever and confident.
What do you think Hannah made of you?
Posh – she said. But hopefully good enough company for a Wednesday night.
Did you go on somewhere?
We were in the restaurant for nearly four hours! Late enough for a school night.
And … did you kiss?
Negative.
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
Maybe more of a romantic spark.
Marks out of 10?
A solid 7 – lovely evening.
Would you meet again?
Absolutely, although probably as friends. Sounds like we’d do a cracking yoga class or something.
Hannah on Yusuf
What were you hoping for?
Low expectations, to be honest – my sister made me apply. But hopefully to go for a nice meal, meet someone random, and do something different on a Wednesday evening.
First impressions?
Really nice and friendly.
What did you talk about?
Jobs. Family. Writing these answers. Solo travel. Bank holiday plans.
Most awkward moment?
Maybe when he told me he worked in finance. I said I’d explicitly asked for someone who didn’t work in finance.
Good table manners?
Yes, although I was so focused on my own I didn’t pay much attention to his.
Best thing about Yusuf?
He was easy to chat to, asked questions and I felt comfortable straight away.
Would you introduce Yusuf to your friends?
Not sure how much they would have in common.
Describe Yusuf in three words
Interesting, friendly and chatty.
What do you think Yusuf made of you?
Probably that I talked a lot and was weird for saying I wasn’t a foodie.
Did you go on somewhere?
No, it was way past my bedtime.
And … did you kiss?
No.
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
I can’t think of anything. I had a really nice time, but it was more as friends.
Marks out of 10?
8.
Would you meet again?
Potentially, as friends.
Yusuf and Hannah ate at the Bull & Last, London NW5. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com