Chris on Ariana
What were you hoping for?
When I heard I had a date with a girl called Ariana from America, I was hoping it would be Ariana Grande.
First impressions?
It’s not Ariana Grande.
What did you talk about?
What we’ve been doing to keep sane during lockdown, such as Ariana’s quest to find the best pizza in London.
Any awkward moments?
Two lactose-intolerant people on a date where everything is made with dairy could have been awkward, but luckily I had some pills that fixed it.
Good table manners?
Yes, we cheers’d the lactose pills before each course.
Best thing about Ariana?
Very easy to talk to. We ended up staying at the restaurant till it closed and the time flew by.
Would you introduce her to your friends?
Yeah, Ariana could get along with anyone.
Describe Ariana in three words?
London pizza connoisseur.
What do you think she made of you?
I presume she was expecting someone from Downton Abbey. I shattered this English stereotype.
Did you go on somewhere?
Everywhere was closed, but I’m sure we would have if we could.
If it weren’t for social distancing, would you have kissed?
The entrance to the underground is no place for a goodbye kiss.
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
The temperature: it was absolutely freezing sitting outside. We were under a blanket for most of the date, which in normal circumstances would indicate it was going extremely well.
Marks out of 10?
7. Going for food isn’t my preferred first date as there’s too much multitasking: eating, listening and trying to act normally. One of those is always going to go wrong.
Would you meet again?
We joked about a second date. So, maybe.
Q&A
Want to be in Blind date?
Blind date is Guardian Weekend magazine’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 Guardian Weekend 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
Ariana on Chris
What were you hoping for?
I moved to London recently so I was looking to meet new people. Also a fun night out, especially given this was the first week out of lockdown.
First impressions?
Off the bat, Chris was super friendly. We initially bonded over our awkward photoshoots.
What did you talk about?
The British lingo I picked up from binge-watching Love Island, his trips to adult summer camp in California, and how I haven’t lived because I’ve never tried an espresso martini.
Any awkward moments?
When we both realised we were lactose intolerant.
Good table manners?
Yes, surely better than mine! He even ate his pizza with a knife and fork.
Best thing about Chris?
As the Brits say… “great bants”.
Would you introduce him to your friends?
Definitely!
Describe Chris in three words?
Laid-back, funny, dairy-free.
What do you think he made of you?
We decided to order a second bottle of wine, so I hope that was a sign I was decent company.
Did you go on somewhere?
No, but we did stay at the restaurant until it closed.
If it weren’t for social distancing, would you have kissed?
I guess we’ll never know!
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
Is it cliche to say warmer weather?
Marks out of 10?
Great first date, solid 9.
Would you meet again?
For sure.
Ariana and Chris ate at Crazy Pizza, London SW1.
Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
