Blind date: ‘It felt more like two people having a friendly conversation at a conference'
What were you hoping for? A serious-minded woman with a great backstory and fine taste in food who could share thoughts and opinions. All of those things happened.
First impressions? Emma was very composed and friendly from the beginning; elegant, organised and her sense of comfort made me feel comfortable.
What did you talk about? Our linguistic and cultural experiences living abroad. A discussion of literature and media revealed that Emma is aware of my favourite ever film, Manon des Sources, even though it's in French.
Blind date is Saturday'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 Saturday 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
Most awkward moment? The decision as to who was going to choose the wine; politeness meant neither of us wanted to impress an opinion at that early stage.
Good table manners? Immaculate.
Best thing about Emma? Emma is principled, articulate, well read and clearly has a great interest in people and their wellbeing.
Would you introduce Emma to your friends? Most certainly, she would be a success in any room.
Describe Emma in three words Intelligent, generous and self-aware.
What do you think Emma made of you? I hope she saw a person who was interested in all that she had to say.
Did you go on somewhere? No, Emma had a train to catch.
And … did you kiss? No.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be? If the weather had been better and there had been an option to sit outside.
Marks out of 10? 10.
Would you meet again? Definitely. I feel that there is so much more to know about her.
What were you hoping for? My friends and I made a bet on New Year's Day that we would aim to do something unexpected before the summer. I think I might have won.
First impressions? The waitress who greeted me was gorgeous, and it was a great place.
What did you talk about? His life in Italy and Poland. Politics. AI. Brexit. Sting. Living by the sea.
Most awkward moment? I never know the pouring etiquette (who, when, how much, what level etc).
Good table manners? I accidentally held the fork like a scalpel – but to be fair, I was pretty hungry and the food was delicious!
Best thing about Matthew? He speaks Italian and had some really interesting experiences working abroad.
Would you introduce Matthew to your friends? Our senses of humour would be wildly out of kilter.
Describe Matthew in three words Reserved, shy and family-oriented.
What do you think he made of you? Maybe that I asked too many questions.
Did you go on somewhere? To the train station. But I did bump into someone I hadn't seen for years and we had a gin and tonic on the way home.
And … did you kiss? No.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be? I would've lingered longer on the train.
Marks out of 10? 5. The restaurant was great, but it felt like two people having a friendly conversation at a conference.
Would you meet again? No.
Emma and Matthew ate at Blackfriars Restaurant in Newcastle. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
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