Blind Date

I couldn’t resist a peck on each cheek when he arrived He wasn’t even interested in my French bulldog

DATING PAST?

My ex-boyfriend had an extremely stressful job and worked around the clock. We tried to make it work, but I couldn’t handle the pressure he was under. I’m a sensitive soul and work-life balance is important to me. before that, I was in a twoyear relationship with someone with whom I’m still friends.

PRE-DATE NERVES?

I DIDN’T sleep the night before, I was so nervous. but as a hair stylist I know how to break the ice, and I was sure we’d have a good time.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

WHEN I arrived for our date two weeks ago, I wasn’t immediately physically attracted to him; I normally prefer someone taller. but personality and character count for a lot, so I made an effort to get to know him.

EASY TO TALK TO?

I’D PREPARED some topics, such as travelling, to get the conversation going. I was really engaged in talking, but my date was constantly looking around the restaurant and at the other diners.

He’d ask a question but didn’t seem interested in my reply. I tried to tell him about my French bulldog, Ollie, but he had already moved on to another subject. He just didn’t make me feel special. Our one area of common ground was travelling.

EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?

dAnIel got up and left the table for about 15 minutes at one point. When he came back, he told me that he had taken an urgent work call. I wanted to leave the restaurant there and then. He shouldn’t have taken a call, and I didn’t like that he kept looking at his phone throughout the rest of the date.

DID SPARKS FLY?

NO. I’m interested in psychology and, to me, daniel’s outfit choice said ‘ no personality’. He was dressed head to toe in blue. I did everything I could to make the date go well, but he didn’t try to maintain a conversation.

DID YOU KISS?

YES, but I hadn’t wanted to! He leaned in for a kiss on each cheek when I arrived and also touched my hand, which I wasn’t keen on.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HE THOUGHT OF YOU?

I THINK he liked me. He asked to go on somewhere else, but I said I had to work the next morning. When I left I felt relieved.

WOULD YOUR FRIENDS LIKE HIM?

WHEN I told a female friend about the date, we agreed he wouldn’t fit in with our social circle. Our motto is: if you’re not going to treat me well, then I’m not interested. It’s a rule my friends and I live by.

DATING PAST?

I’ve had one long-term relationship which ended in 2016. Since then, I’ve been on plenty of dates, but I don’t use apps any more as I find they encourage promiscuity.

I once flew to Spain to meet a guy I’d been chatting with online, but face to face it was challenging; he spoke no english and I spoke no Spanish. Online you can use translation software or read a message slowly. It was a brutal lesson, really.

PRE-DATE NERVES?

ABSOLUTELY. I’ve never been on a blind date before. this was taking me out of my comfort zone.

I’m a bit lonely and I’d like to find someone who can bring out the best in me.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

LUCIANO is tall and athletic with a lovely smile. He was wearing a Jimi Hendrix-type outfit, with black trousers, black shoes and a black shirt. I liked that he’d made an effort. I got there early just in case the tube wasn’t running on time and had a cocktail before luciano arrived.

EASY TO TALK TO?

I’M A talker, but I couldn’t compete with luciano. He was lovely and chatty. I have been on dates before where the atmosphere was tense and making conversation was tough.

luciano is brazilian, so it was fun to swap travel stories with someone so cultured. He told me about brazil and about the language, too. Our conversation revolved around food, beaches and culture.

EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?

I DIDN’T spill anything, but I was so nervous at one point that I had to take a short break — I felt bad but luciano was lovely about it.

DID SPARKS FLY?

JUST as friends. While I felt comfortable with luciano, we were both physically reserved with one another. We tried each other’s food, though. I had scallops to start and luciano had a cold fish platter. then we both had fillet steak.

DID YOU KISS?

I COULDN’T resist a peck on each cheek when luciano arrived. It would have been lovely to have stayed out later, but we both had early starts the next day.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HE THOUGHT OF YOU?

I REALLY hope he thought I was friendly and warm. the date lasted three hours and it didn’t feel hurried. I hope he thought I looked smart enough.

WOULD YOUR FAMILY LIKE HIM?

YES they’d like luciano. He has got a lovely smile and was fantastic company, too.