Jo on Joel
What were you hoping for?
A different sort of evening, good company and maybe a little more.
First impressions?
Great head of hair, nice eyes, inquisitive and very well mannered.
What did you talk about?
A lot! The fact that we both write – scripts for him, short stories for me. Football. Music. Past jobs. How nice the restaurant was and how lovely the food and staff were.
Any awkward moments?
I think he found the photoshoot as embarrassing as I did.
Good table manners?
Very good. We had sharing plates and he made sure I had enough, and didn’t react too much when my fork fell on the floor.
Best thing about Joel?
He seems to have a really open and friendly personality, and he’s interesting to chat to.
Would you introduce him to your friends?
Yes.
Describe Joel in three words
Funny, warm, polite.
What do you think he made of you?
I hope he found me friendly and good company, although he may have picked up on a few nerves that I had at the beginning.
Did you go on somewhere?
We did: to a pub nearby for last orders. We were well entertained by the music and the football documentary.
Q&A
Want to be in 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 [email protected]
And … did you kiss?
A little one on the tube.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
I wouldn’t have worn such uncomfortable shoes.
Marks out of 10?
9.
Would you meet again?
I’d be open to it. It feels like there is still a lot to find out about each other.
Joel on Jo
What were you hoping for?
Just a fun night getting to know someone new.
First impressions?
I spied her hiding at the bar, getting a pep talk from the host, so it was good to know she was nervous as well. She was bright, smiley and chatty from the off.
What did you talk about?
Only the important stuff: Sunderland till I die. What type of wine Jesus made. Michael Owen’s charisma. And whether Kim or Aggie from How Clean Is Your House was sitting behind us.
Any awkward moments?
When I called her a geordie.
Good table manners?
She flung a fork across the restaurant – not in response to being called a geordie.
Best thing about Jo?
I could talk about everything and anything with her: work, football, theatre, writing …
Would you introduce her to your friends?
Yes.
Describe Jo in three words
Friendly, genuine, mackem.
What do you think she made of you?
Mumbly and obsessed with the meat called Jesus, an option on the menu.
Did you go on somewhere?
Yes, we caught last orders where we got to watch a Michael Owen special.
And … did you kiss?
I’ll let her say.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
The restaurant was nice but Vauxhall is a bit of a dystopian hellscape.
Marks out of 10?
8.
Would you meet again?
Possibly.
Jo and Joel ate at Brunswick House, Vauxhall, London. Fancy a blind date? Email [email protected]
