Joe on Mabyn
What were you hoping for?
To have a nice time and learn something new.
First impressions?
She had a bright personality.
What did you talk about?
Her mugging the day before! Her elvish tattoo, which took us into The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and her love for dinosaurs. And how her sister ran away to join the circus.
Most awkward moment?
The selfie at the end of the night – we don’t really like taking selfies.
Good table manners?
We both played it safe with what we ordered, but I’d say yes.
Best thing about Mabyn?
Her sunny disposition, nerdiness and ability to look on the brighter side of life (also the fact she printed out a map and had a little black book with her friends’ numbers and directions to the date because of the phone-snatcher).
Would you introduce Mabyn to your friends?
I can’t think of a reason why not.
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
Describe Mabyn in three words
Chatty and funny – also well-dressed.
What do you think Mabyn made of you?
I’m guessing she would say I’m also nerdy – and a yapper.
Did you go on somewhere?
She had a wedding to get to! Her friends were getting married in Las Vegas, and she had to dart off to join the Zoom call.
And … did you kiss?
She had to dash, so it was a quick hug.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
More margaritas.
Marks out of 10?
10 – she is a lovely person, very honest and has a love for a great many things.
Would you meet again?
Yes, I’d be interested to hear her other crazy stories, nerdy theories and why she thinks she can beat me at Mario Kart.
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Mabyn on Joe
What were you hoping for?
Hot man, hot dinner.
First impressions?
I liked his blue nails and cool tattoos. The Star Wars ones were a good sign that we’d get on.
What did you talk about?
His cat daughter, Freya, our mutual hatred of skinny jeans, Hinge v Feeld, my phone mugging, dinosaurs.
Most awkward moment?
When I freaked him out by knowing his mum’s name (he mentioned it at the start of the date, but forgot he had).
Good table manners?
Not one crumb in his moustache.
Best thing about Joe?
He didn’t find it weird that I arrived at the date using a homemade treasure map.
Would you introduce Joe to your friends?
Yeah I think he’d fit in.
Describe Joe in three words
Cool, calm, interesting.
What do you think Joe made of you?
Well he said I wasn’t boring. So that’s a win. I have no idea if he fancied me though. No flirting or compliments. It felt like hanging out with a friend.
Did you go on somewhere?
My friends were getting married in Vegas, so I had a midnight Zoom.
And … did you kiss?
I had to leg it for my train so no time for a snog. I did wonder if our very different lip sizes would be compatible or not.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
Nothing! Joe was a lovely human, and I enjoyed drinking cocktails under the watchful eye of St Paul’s – what a view!.
Marks out of 10?
7.5 for the cat daddy.
Would you meet again?
We had good vibes. If it’s just friends or something more remains to be seen.
Joe and Mabyn ate at Sabine Rooftop Bar, London EC4. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
