Ollie on Simone
What have been you hoping for?
To not break any crockery or in any other case make a whole idiot of myself.
First impressions?
Simone was 20 minutes late as her prepare was delayed, and arrived apologising profusely. However it genuinely didn’t matter as I had an immediate intestine feeling we have been going to have a very nice time.
What did you speak about?
Residing in Germany. Whether or not to start out with a glass of sangria or a jug. Siblings. Mother and father. Boomerang youngsters. Whether or not to ask the restaurant to decide on our meals for us (Simone’s concept – genius transfer). Politics.
Most awkward second?
The lid to that sangria jug was a strainer readier for flight than most airways. That, and me playing we’d discover a pub handy to her prepare station after dinner – and discovering all over the place was closed. Clean, Ollie.
Good desk manners?
Impeccable.
Smartest thing about Simone?
She’s open-minded and finds folks actually attention-grabbing. I actually like that she discovered her skilled calling early.
Would you introduce Simone to your mates?
Completely. They’d suppose she’s nice.
Q&A
Fancy a blind date?
Present
Blind date is Saturday’s courting column: each week, two
strangers are paired up for dinner and drinks, after which spill the beans
to us, answering a set of questions. This runs, with {a photograph} we
take of every dater earlier than the date, in Saturday journal (within the
UK) and on-line at theguardian.com each Saturday. It’s been operating since 2009 – you’ll be able to learn all about how we put it collectively right here.
What questions will I be requested?
We
ask about age, location, occupation, hobbies, pursuits and the kind of
particular person you want to meet. If you don’t suppose these questions
cowl every part you want to know, inform us what’s in your thoughts.
Can I select who I match with?
No,
it’s a blind date! However we do ask you a bit about your pursuits,
preferences, and so forth – the extra you inform us, the higher the match is probably going
to be.
Can I decide the {photograph}?
No, however don’t fret: we’ll select the nicest ones.
What private particulars will seem?
Your first title, job and age.
How ought to I reply?
Truthfully
however respectfully. Be aware of the way it will learn to your date, and that
Blind date reaches a big viewers, in print and on-line.
Will I see the opposite particular person’s solutions?
No. We might edit yours and theirs for a variety of causes, together with size, and we might ask you for extra particulars.
Will you discover me The One?
We’ll strive! Marriage! Infants!
Can I do it in my residence city?
Provided that it’s within the UK. A lot of our candidates dwell in London, however we’d love to listen to from folks dwelling elsewhere.
The best way to apply
E-mail blind.date@theguardian.com
Describe Simone in three phrases.
Good. Vivacious. Type.
What do you suppose Simone product of you?
Hopefully, that I’m a severe particular person with a giant coronary heart. However extra seemingly that I’m a whirling dervish and a little bit of a goon.
Did you go on someplace?
We actually tried.
And … did you kiss?
You’ll must contact a spokesperson.
If you happen to may change one factor concerning the night what wouldn’t it be?
Having a magic key to a bar at 11.20pm.
Marks out of 10?
Is 12 a rating?
Would you meet once more?
It might be an honour.
after publication promotion
Simone on Ollie
What have been you hoping for?
To fulfil my sister’s dream of me discovering the love of my life on a Guardian blind date. Kidding! I had nothing to lose so, if nothing extra, I hoped for a enjoyable night with attention-grabbing firm and good meals. Hopefully not a clumsy snoozefest.
First impressions?
Ollie was nicely dressed, pretty smile. He had a refined confidence. He engaged with me immediately, which put me comfortable. Not unhealthy trying, both!
What did you speak about?
A lot. There wasn’t a second of silence the entire time, dialog flowed very naturally. Our households. Our work. How we really feel about Christmas (me – love, him – not a lot). Rising up in a political household. Discovering uni days powerful on psychological well being. The plot of Thelma & Louise. Our respective experiences of dwelling in Germany. The best way to expertly write a strongly worded e-mail. Utilizing operating/train for remedy. We touched on politics and different basic matters, however principally it was private issues.
Most awkward second?
After I arrived, the hostess warned me I had lipstick on my tooth, saving me from a clumsy introduction. Hero!
Good desk manners?
Sure, we shared all of the dishes and he made positive to serve me first, which he did expertly regardless of a slight tremor in his fingers. Though when pouring from the jug of sangria, he didn’t realise the strainer on prime wasn’t connected in order that fell with a clatter on his plate. We joked about how that would have been the “most awkward second”. We have been each sporting white and nothing bought stained.
Smartest thing about Ollie?
He is a superb conversationalist and had some attention-grabbing tales to inform. He’s all the way down to earth for somebody who’s clearly completed, profitable and destined for good issues to come back in his life and profession.
Would you introduce Ollie to your pals?
No doubt, he’s sociable and considering folks. I believe they’d approve.
Describe Ollie in three phrases.
Heat. Charismatic. Gifted.
What do you suppose Ollie product of you?
He appeared pleasantly stunned – and surprisingly impressed by the very fact I have reminiscence. For instance, I may virtually recite his Wiki web page after one learn – the existence of which he “accidently” talked about pretty early on so after all I insisted he confirmed me.
Did you go on someplace?
We tried, but it surely become a wild goose chase. Dinner spanned so lengthy that by the point we wished to maneuver on, all pubs in London gave the impression to be closed. We ended up wandering round a good quantity, but it surely didn’t matter. We have been nonetheless chatting to fill the time. We admitted defeat and known as it quits at Euston station, however Ollie was a gent and stayed with me as I waited for my prepare.
And … did you kiss?
Maybeeeee … however I’m not divulging any particulars. Sorry.
If you happen to may change one factor concerning the night, what wouldn’t it be?
I wouldn’t have been late – not the primary impression I wished to make. Despite the fact that it wasn’t my fault and he was understanding, nonetheless not supreme.
Marks out of 10?
Date-wise it was up there. Nevertheless, I don’t need him resting on his laurels, so I’ll give him an 8.5.
Would you meet once more?
Positively.
Ollie and Simone ate at Parrillan Borough Yards, London SE1. Fancy a blind date? E-mail blind.date@theguardian.com
Supply hyperlink
