Blind date: ‘First impression? Warm, kind eyes and a great hug’

2 hours ago 2

Kammy on Eliza

What were you hoping for?
To have a new experience – my first blind date! And I wouldn’t have minded meeting the love of my life.

First impressions?
Very cool jacket. She seemed chatty, which was great because I am also.

What did you talk about?
Career changes. Living in other countries. Language learning. Reading. Travelling. The fact that “Good table manners?” is a silly question.

Most awkward moment?
When I accidentally poured wine on to the table rather than into a glass.

Q&A

Fancy a blind date?

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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 [email protected]

Good table manners?
No notes. But I hear some say “Good table manners?” is a silly question.

Best thing about Eliza?
She has led such a rich life. I was amazed to hear about all her adventures, but the best thing was just how easy she was to talk to in general.

Would you introduce Eliza to your friends?
Absolutely. They’d probably find her more interesting to talk to than me.

Describe Eliza in three words.
Interesting, easy-going, worldly.

What do you think Eliza made of you?
Someone well intentioned, even if they have poor execution, perhaps?

Did you go on somewhere?
Just to the station, but we stayed until the restaurant closed. We both had a way to travel.

And … did you kiss?
A very brief peck just before the doors closed, when it became clear that we weren’t getting the same train.

If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
To live closer to the restaurant.

Marks out of 10?
9.

Would you meet again?
I would definitely meet her again as a friend. She was super easy to talk to and I had a great evening.

Eliza on Kammy

What were you hoping for?
Someone up for as much fun as I was.

First impressions?
Warm, with kind eyes, great hug, he instantly put me at ease.

What did you talk about?
Our shared love of learning languages and travelling, including Kammy’s recent trip to Guatemala. How we arrived where we are in life (including my previous life as a musical theatre actor and how I ended up in law). Kammy has a PhD in astrophysics and I’ve always loved stars, so hearing about it was fascinating.

Most awkward moment?
The kiss goodbye (see below).

Good table manners?
We were having too much fun and good chat to care about table manners.

Best thing about Kammy?
He was up for trying something new, and was interesting and interested.

Would you introduce Kammy to your friends?
Yes, I think he’d be an asset to our pub quiz team.

Describe Kammy in three words.
Kind, engaging, optimistic.

What do you think Kammy made of you?
Probably a ball of energy, passionate about what I do and up for a laugh.

Did you go on somewhere?
Sunday night made that difficult.

And … did you kiss?
A rushed kiss as the train doors closed.

If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
Make it a Saturday night.

Marks out of 10?
8.

Would you meet again?
He can come to our next pub quiz!

Eliza and Kammy ate at You Call the Shots, London E9. Fancy a blind date? Email [email protected]