Yukari on John
What were you hoping for?
Dating in a big city can be such a slog, so I was really just hoping for a connection. It’s always exciting to be set up on a date in a different way.
First impressions?
Great hair. As someone with straight, flat hair that does nothing, I was envious. And he was so friendly that I knew we were going to have a good evening.
What did you talk about?
All first date basics: upbringing, career, hobbies, John’s aversion to mustard and salt …
Most awkward moment?
Only the waitress taking our photo – the lighting didn’t do us any favours, so she came back to take another.
Good table manners?
Incredibly good.
Best thing about John?
He’s a dessert sharer – he let me have the last bite of the sticky toffee pudding.
Q&A
Fancy a 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 blind.date@theguardian.com
Would you introduce John to your friends?
Yeah. We share similar values and he’d get on well with them.
Describe John in three words.
Kind, considerate and adventurous.
What do you think John made of you?
He was difficult to read, but he probably thought I took pudding way too seriously. I know we both had a good time though.
Did you go on somewhere?
No, we both felt pretty passionately about getting to bed, so 10pm seemed like a good time to call it.
And … did you kiss?
That was off the table the moment the burnt aubergine dip arrived. It was full of garlic and delicious, but not conducive to putting faces together.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
Nothing – it was great.
Marks out of 10?
9.
Would you meet again?
Yes, I’d be down to see John again.
John on Yukari
What were you hoping for?
A nice surprise and a push out of my comfort zone.
First impressions?
Her excitement for the food was infectious and made me stop playing it cool and get excited myself.
What did you talk about?
US puddings versus UK desserts. Music. Where we were on the day of the Brexit vote. London – its pros, its cons, and its architecture.
Most awkward moment?
I was quite vocal about my distaste for German food – and then learned of Yukari’s German heritage.
Good table manners?
Impeccable, we shared everything.
Best thing about Yukari?
Her lust for life – and dessert menus.
Would you introduce Yukari to your friends?
Of course, I would introduce her to anyone.
Describe Yukari in three words.
Warm, kind and sweet-toothed.
What do you think Yukari made of you?
A rambling, picky eater.
Did you go on somewhere?
No, it was past our bedtimes.
And … did you kiss?
It was more a hugs, smiles and waves kind of evening.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
A bit more of a spark and crossover of interests.
Marks out of 10?
8.
Would you meet again?
I’d be very glad to share another dessert, but sadly we don’t have much in common.
Yukari and John ate at St John’s Tavern, London N19. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
