She cares a lot about the ‘initial spark’ – I prefer a slow-burn approach

OSCAR, 32

VITAL STATISTICS

SINGLE for 17 months, no children.

CURRENT ROLE

MANAGEMENT consultant.

WOULD LIKE TO MEET

AN OUTGOING, caring person to settle down with. I don’t like women who endlessly complain or are picky eaters.

DATING PAST?

I’ve had three serious relationships — my longest was three years, while the most intense was a six-month travel romance around Southeast asia. after four months she went to live in mexico, and two months later we split up.

PRE-DATE NERVES?

I did experience a few nerves beforehand, which is why I deliberately arrived 30 minutes early to have a drink.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

Olivia is very attractive, immediately engaging and warm. I was impressed, even though she arrived 15 minutes late. I was a bit anxious that she wasn’t going to turn up.

She was flustered at first, and apologised. She was wearing a flowery dress which I complimented her on.

EASY TO TALK TO?

We’ve both travelled around Southeast asia and exchanged stories about our experiences. as the date progressed I felt that we were very compatible.

Towards the end, though, olivia did grill me about how I thought the evening had gone — and that was when I realised she didn’t feel the same way about me as I felt about her. I was disappointed.

She is beautiful and we have so much in common, so staying friends didn’t seem appealing.

EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?

I asked if we could exchange numbers, but it didn’t happen, so that was awkward.

It was my choice not to take her number in the end, because she was clear that we could only be friends. maybe I should have taken it and played a long game.

no.

DID SPARKS FLY?

We Had a lovely meal and went on to a bar. I would have loved to see olivia again, but my intuition told me I’m not her type.

DID YOU KISS?

WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE THOUGHT OF YOU?

I suspect she thinks I’m cool and interesting but not for her, which is a shame.

The ‘ initial spark’ seems to be something she places a lot of emphasis on, but I think it’s difficult to get that on a blind date. I prefer the slow-burn approach, which is: ‘I like you, let’s do this again’.

WOULD YOUR FAMILY LIKE HER?

Yes. I’d be very proud to introduce olivia to my family — she is a lovely person inside and out.