Advertisement

Blind date: 'First impressions? Wow!'

<span>Photograph: Alicia Canter/The Guardian</span>
Photograph: Alicia Canter/The Guardian

Aiden on Charlotte

What were you hoping for?
My housemate Meabh (who signed me up) was determined to find my future wife. But I was just hoping for someone to have a fun night with.

First impressions?
Wow! She’s a helluva lot more beautiful than I was expecting and she has great fashion. Shout out to those good-time polka-dot tights.

What did you talk about?
We spent half the night arguing with the waiter about my nut allergy. The restaurant staff were very cautious and made sure everything was fine.

Any awkward moments?
Getting heckled by bystanders as I was having my photoshoot in front of her, wearing only a T-shirt in the lovely November weather.

Good table manners?
She sure knows her way around a knife and fork.

Best thing about Charlotte?
She’s not a picky eater and keen to take a risk (she tried raw tuna for the first time on our date). Also, she’s got good self-control. She declared she could do a killer Aussie accent but held off on the first date.

Would you introduce her to your friends?
Only if she wears those party polka-dot tights.

Describe Charlotte in three words
Spontaneous risk-taker.

What do you think she made of you?
Well, she trusted my judgment on the tuna – so I reckon that’s a good sign.

Did you go on somewhere?
We had a very romantic stroll to the station together.

If it weren’t for social distancing, would you have kissed?
A gentleman would never kiss and tell, so I’ll let her take this one.

If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
I would have preferred to walk to a cocktail bar instead of the train.

Marks out of 10?
8.

Would you meet again?
Depends what Boris is saying. But I do want to hear this Aussie accent…

Charlotte on Aiden

What were you hoping for?
To break my dating hiatus and make the most of the last night of freedom before being plunged into lockdown 2.

First impressions?
He was punctual and had excellent trousers, good shoes and kind eyes.

What did you talk about?
Our mutual hatred of dating apps, lockdowns 1 and 2, the US election, hangovers and teaching.

Any awkward moments?
When I arrived, the waitress didn’t have a clue what I was talking about and I thought I had been punked. But all good talking points.

Good table manners?
Yes. He even compromised on the wine. I wanted white, he wanted red, so we met in the middle and had rosé.

Best thing about Aiden?
He was really easy to talk to and he complimented me on my tights (they’re really good tights). He was knowledgable without being pretentious and genuinely interested in what I was saying.

Related: Blind date: ‘He made it clear that he doesn’t share food’

Would you introduce him to your friends?
Yes, I would.

Describe Aiden in three words
Allergic to nuts.

What do you think he made of you?
He asked for my number, so I can only assume he thought I was all right.

Did you go on somewhere?
No, we got kicked out at 10pm.

If it weren’t for social distancing, would you have kissed?
I may have kissed and told, but I guess we will never know.

If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
10pm curfew and my accidental hangover from the night before.

Marks out of 10?
8.5 and, because he is a teacher, he gets a gold star.

Would you meet again?
Yes, I would.

• Aiden and Charlotte ate at Goodman Canary Wharf, London E14. They were photographed separately for this image. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com.