Blind Date
He looked too much like a geography teacher for me! She reached out and touched my arm a few times
DATING PAST
I MeT my ex-husband at 16 and we divorced around 20 years later, in 2011. since then, my dating life has been rubbish. I’ve quit dating apps — the only people who approached me were either older men or guys in their 20s looking for something casual. When you get talking to someone and then don’t hear from them again, it’s really hard.
PRE-DATE NERVES?
MY expecTaTIoNs of dates have got lower and lower — I’ve had so many online dates that have ended in disappointment — so I was only a little nervous. I’d never been on a blind date before, so at least this was a new experience.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS?
WheN simon walked into the restaurant, London secret garden, I knew immediately that he wasn’t my type — he looked too much like a geography teacher (not that there’s anything wrong with that!).
EASY TO TALK TO?
We haD a lot in common. We are similar ages and like the same films and Tv shows, such as game of Thrones and The Walking Dead, so we had plenty to talk about.
It was a lovely date and I did enjoy his company. If only I had felt some chemistry!
EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?
he asKeD for my number at the end of the date and I didn’t know what to say. I knew I didn’t want to see him romantically, so felt put on the spot, but we did end up swapping details. Then he waited for me to go to the bathroom so he could
walk me to the station, which was lovely but I found it a bit awkward.
DID SPARKS FLY?
To be honest, no.
DID YOU KISS?
We TooK the same train home and he gave me a kiss on the cheek when he got off at his stop. Thankfully, that was it.
The train was crowded, so there wasn’t an opportunity for it to be anything other than a friendly goodbye. he is a lovely man and I wouldn’t have wanted to give the wrong impression.
WHAT DO YOU THINK HE THOUGHT OF YOU?
IT’s hard to tell. he wasn’t flirting with me at all, so I was surprised when he asked for my number. We exchanged a few messages after the date, but then it fizzled out.
WOULD YOUR FAMILY LIKE HIM?
MY pareNTs would know that he wasn’t my type. I need someone quirky. but I’m sure he would get on well with everyone.
DATING PAST
I have been single since the summer of 2016. I met my ex-wife online and ended up getting divorced at the same time as a friend. We go to the pub together sometimes to support each other.
I also met a lovely girl a few years back through internet dating, but she moved on. These days, I prefer meeting people in the flesh.
Dating is so different now: there aren’t the same opportunities to meet people. I even tried speeddating once, and made a couple of friends from it, but there was no romantic connection.
PRE-DATE NERVES?
I Was a bit nervous. With a blind date, you just don’t know who you’re going to meet. I got to the restaurant a few minutes early and Kate was already there, which was a pleasant surprise.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS?
I Thought that she was very attractive and smartly dressed. When we greeted each other, it
was warm and friendly, and we got chatting straight away.
EASY TO TALK TO?
Yes. We like a lot of the same movies and Tv shows — it’s funny how nowadays your Netflix choices say a lot about you! We only briefly mentioned our past relationships, as I don’t think first dates should be too heavy.
There was a bit of banter and we were able to relax. I mentioned an obscure thing about the French musician Jean-Michel Jarre and she knew some of his music, which is quite rare. Little things like that help to build a connection.
EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?
No, IT was all stress-free!
DID SPARKS FLY?
I’M NOT the best at flirting, but, as we were talking, she reached out and touched my arm a few times. I think I should have been more friendly by touching her arm, too — it’s a little thing, but important.
DID YOU KISS?
I MANAGED to give her a kiss on the cheek as I said goodbye.
WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE THOUGHT OF YOU?
I’ve no idea. so many times I’ve gone out with a girl and thought it’s gone well, but they don’t want to pursue it. I’d be happy to see her again, but our texts have tailed off, so I’m not sure it will happen.
WOULD YOUR FAMILY LIKE HER?
Yes, they would get on great.