William, 28, a PhD candidate, meets Abigail, 24, a theatre artist
View image in fullscreenWilliam on Abigail
What were you hoping for?
To have a spark of some kind.
First impressions?
She looked very glamorous and suited the smart restaurant far more than I did.
What did you talk about?
Our love of Robert Pattinson. The play she’s working on. Shucking oysters. She asked lots of questions, so I’m worried I dominated. She did a palm reading on me too and it said I’m not a good writer.
Most awkward moment?
When I told her I don’t like theatre. In retrospect, I can see why a playwright and actor would be offended by that.
Good table manners?
I’m gonna go for “impeccable”. She was very friendly and chatty to the staff too.
Best thing about Abigail?
She has a lovely smile and a great sense of humour. I laughed a lot.
Would you introduce Abigail to your friends?
Lots of my friends are performers, so they would have loads to talk about.
Fancy a blind date?
ShowBlind 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
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 Abigail in three words
Funny, kind-hearted, genuine.
What do you think Abigail made of you?
I hope she thought I was kind and easy to talk to. I realised I wasn’t making much eye contact at one point, so “awkward” may be a safer bet. Funny would be a lovely addition.
Did you go on somewhere?
We stayed at the restaurant until closing. Then she walked me back to King’s Cross so I could catch a train back to Cambridge, which was very kind.
If you could change one thing about the date, what would it be?
I forgot the bathroom was a push door and thought I had locked myself in.
Would you meet again?
We’ve shared numbers.
Abigail on William
What were you hoping for?
Love, obviously.
First impressions?
Polite, gentle. Nervous in a sweet way. He was very concerned about being underdressed, but he looked lovely.
What did you talk about?
Standup comedy. Socialism. Academia. His disdain for contemporary British theatre and my adoration of it.
Most awkward moment?
He seemed keen to show off his American accent at a few points.
Good table manners?
Yes, knows his way round a wine list too!
Best thing about William?
He has lived a fantastically varied life of travels and extracurriculars. It’s good to meet people who have life by the horns.
Would you introduce William to your friends?
I’d consider it. But he said he loves lying to strangers. That gives a woman pause.
Describe William in three words
Charming, roguish, amiable.
What do you think William made of you?
I gave him a flirty palm reading and I’m worried he thinks I’ve got a hand fetish.
Did you go on somewhere?
I don’t kiss and tell …
If you could change one thing about the date, what would it be?
I would have stolen his gorgeous thick-rimmed emerald green glasses.
Would you meet again?
I fear his love line looked a bit unsteady. But he’s got my phone number if he’d like to tempt fate.
Abigail and William ate at Kobe, London W1. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com