Emma on Sean
What were you hoping for?
My first five-star review in the Guardian.
First impressions?
Nice, friendly, reassured me that the wine would be on its way soon.
What did you talk about?
We ticked off most of the standard first-date Q&A, then we spoke about our favourite type of butter for 10 minutes. I also asked him if he thought a barge made out of cheese would sink or float!
Any awkward moments?
After convincing me he was a foodie he revealed he didn’t know oranges had segments until he was in his 20s.
Good table manners?
It was going well until he choked on his dessert and started crying.
Best thing about Sean?
He gave me some good recipe ideas and let me try some of his main.
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]
Would you introduce Sean to your friends?
No … even though a group of them “coincidentally” walked past the restaurant while we were eating.
Describe Sean in three words.
Should research oranges.
What do you think he made of you?
Talks a lot, a bit too honest, definitely not getting a five-star review in the Guardian.
Did you go on somewhere?
Not together. I joined my friends at the Eurovision party, he went to a DJ set. I think that suited us both far better.
And … did you kiss?
No surprises for guessing … we did not.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
Have a few more interests and values in common other than enjoying the food.
Marks out of 10?
6.
Would you meet again?
No.
Sean on Emma
What were you hoping for?
Great food and flirty conversation.
First impressions?
Amazing blue eyes, very confident and extremely easy to talk to.
What did you talk about?
Uni. Work. Holidays. Family. Food. Lockdown hobbies. Her love for the theatre. Emma previously worked for the Labour party’s chief whip, so I got some hilarious insight into how realistic The Thick of It TV show is, and some gossip on the current government. Fascinating and terrifying.
Any awkward moments?
I nearly choked to death on my dessert resulting in an intense coughing fit.
Good table manners?
Faultless.
Best thing about Emma?
Extremely likable, and her eyes.
Would you introduce her to your friends?
As a friend, for sure!
Describe Emma in three words
Passionate about theatre.
What do you think she made of you?
Hopefully I made a good impression – I will find out soon enough!
Did you go on somewhere?
No, we both went to meet our friends separately.
And … did you kiss?
No.
Sign up to our Inside Saturday newsletter for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the magazine’s biggest features, as well as a curated list of our weekly highlights.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
I would have eaten my dessert slower to avoid that near-death experience.
Marks out of 10?
8 – there weren’t any awkward silences, and the conversation flowed naturally, but unfortunately there was no chemistry for me.
Would you meet again?
As friends.
Sean and Emma ate at Levan, London SE15. Fancy a blind date? Email [email protected]
