Blind date: ‘I think she was dumbing down to my level’

Frank on Jen

What were you hoping for?
To meet someone with the potential for something long-term.

First impressions?
Confident. She’s got her life where she wants it to be.

What did you talk about?
Animals, crime, university, family, living abroad in hot countries, being European or not, being vegetarian or not (we’re not, but we should be), food, wine, sport.

Any awkward moments?
None for me.

Good table manners?
I don’t worry too much about those.

Best thing about Jen?
She seemed very down-to-earth and natural. It felt like there were no barriers to me seeing who she is.

Would you introduce her to your friends?
Yes.

Describe Jen in three words??
Conscientious, friendly, relaxed. Those don’t do her justice, though.

What do you think she made of you?
Ooh, tough question. I’ve got a feeling she may have found herself dumbing down to my level a little more than she’d have liked, but she messaged back after I gave her my number. Hopefully she enjoyed my company, as I enjoyed hers.

Did you go on somewhere?
We didn’t, as she was staying at a friend’s overnight. But we stayed the course in the restaurant.

If it weren’t for social distancing, would you have kissed?
I’m not sure. I think the physical chemistry might be a slow burner between us, but not out of the question if we go on future dates.

If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
She was facing a mirror – that must have been off-putting for her.

Marks out of 10?
The date was an 8.

Would you meet again?
Yes.

Jen on Frank

What were you hoping for?
Ideally, the man of my dreams. More realistically, I was looking for a new experience, with good company and good food.

First impressions?
Frank came across as kind and polite.

What did you talk about?
All sorts of things, ranging from meteorology to vegetarianism to the partition of India.

Any awkward moments?
No.

Good table manners?
Absolutely.

Best thing about Frank?
He was very good at asking me questions, listening, and remembering what I’d said.

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

Describe Frank in three words?
Attentive, kind, interesting.

What do you think he made of you?
Probably that I’m a bit of a mix of many things?

Related: Blind date: ‘I shouldn’t have said ciao’

Did you go on somewhere?
No, but it was gone 11pm when we left.

If it weren’t for social distancing, would you have kissed?
Not on a first date.

If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
I felt I didn’t get to ask as many questions about him as I would normally, so I hope that didn’t come across as self-absorbed.

Marks out of 10?
A solid 8.

Would you meet again?
Probably.

• Frank and Jen ate at Barrafina, Adelaide Street, London WC2. They were photographed separately for this image. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com.