Amir on Noa
What were you hoping for?
To meet someone I would click with, eat good food and have a fun night. I was open to anything, whether it was romantic or not, as long as we enjoyed each other’s company.
First impressions?
When she first walked in I thought she looked very elegant. She was wearing a beautiful brown dress with some jewellery. Actually, she looked amazing, if I’m being honest. I was a little nervous but it went away as soon as she got there and we smiled at each other.
What did you talk about?
We went from pretty cute, mundane things to more personal stuff about our lives, family, friends … It was great. I feel like we learned quite a few things about one another and had good laughs. We’re from pretty different backgrounds, so we had a lot to talk about.
Any awkward moments?
None. My stress went down when she arrived and after that the whole night went very smoothly. I felt pretty at ease with her from the beginning. Hopefully she felt the same.
Good table manners?
Excellent. Mine aren’t great – I’m sure I had my elbows on the table the whole time – but I don’t think she cared. Good manners but not a snob!
What did you order?
I got focaccia with beef tongue, then red mullet with carrot puree and a sort of lemon sauce, and as dessert I got something with hay (yes, actual hay).
Best thing about Noa?
It’s hard to only pick one. I like how confident she is. Also she is genuinely nice. You can tell she’s caring and generous with people. She doesn’t take herself too seriously – she has very good vibes and is so easy to talk to. Anyway, I could go on but I think you get the idea: she’s effortlessly cool.
Would you introduce her to your friends?
Yeah, we already have a couple in common – small world. I’m sure she’d get along with the rest of my friends.
Describe Noa in three words
Sweet, very stylish and fun.
What do you think she made of you?
That I was cute, maybe even funny – who knows?
Did you go on somewhere?
We were the last ones to leave the restaurant, then we walked to a bar we both know in Strasbourg-St-Denis. We met up with some of her friends and had a couple of drinks there. Her friends were really funny. And after that we went back to her place. I won’t elaborate from there!
And … did you kiss?
Guess!
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
Honestly, I don’t know. It was all great to me. I would have made it even longer if I had been able to but that was impossible – we already stayed up until the early morning.
Marks out of 10?
10 and a half.
Would you meet again?
I think we will.
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]
Noa on Amir
What were you hoping for?
Someone kind and interesting! And, I’m not gonna lie, delicious food and wine. I was not disappointed with any of them.
First impressions?
I was late, it was the first day of my period and I was kind of moody and tired. So when I arrived I was stressed, but he was there, smiling, smelling good, looking fresh, and didn’t seem to mind that I was behind schedule.
What did you talk about?
We talked about travel, our respective lives, our friends, and our past and current dating experiences. We also discussed some deeper topics, such as his transition as a transgender man and his relationship with his family. I also talked about the fact that I was not really where I wanted to be in my life. We laughed a lot … plus he has the cutest smile ever!
Any awkward moments?
I had the wine menu and the waiter was: “Oh, so it’s madame who’s gonna choose?” and in my mind my feminist voice was: “Is it a problem?” He came back with the bottle and asked: “It’s the gentleman who tastes?” I was outraged and I told him: “If I choose the wine it is to taste it … asshole.” Well, I didn’t say “asshole”, but I wanted to.
Good table manners?
Really. He got up to say hello, he waited for me to start dessert because I was in the bathroom and he didn’t get any stains on himself even though he admitted to me later that he was stressed by his white shirt.
What did you order?
A tuna tartare for the starter, the fresh pasta with zucchini and egg yolk, a dessert called sweet potatoes, and a bottle of white wine from Côtes Catalane.
Best thing about Amir?
You just feel good with him! He keeps people at ease. He’s interesting and interested and really chill.
Would you introduce him to your friends?
I actually did: he asked me if I wanted to have a last drink somewhere and I suggested we meet some girlfriends in a bar near Strasbourg-St-Denis.
Describe Amir in three words
Kind, calm and sexy.
What do you think he made of you?
Oh là là! I think, from the night, good things and I’m really looking forward to reading what he thinks.
Did you go on somewhere?
After a few more drinks we ended up at mine playing the conversation-starting game We’re Not Really Strangers.
And … did you kiss?
Yes, we did! The first one was when we were walking from the restaurant to the bar and the last one was when he left my place around 1.30pm.
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
Maybe being on the first day of my period, or the waiter, but even that was a part of the experience.
Marks out of 10?
9.99999999999.
Would you meet again?
Avec plaisir!
Noa and Amir ate at Zébulon, Paris. Fancy a blind date? Email [email protected]
