Shahar, a 29-year-old graphic designer and music label manager, met 34-year-old product designer Stephen for a blind date at Cooper’s Cut in London’s EC3 district. The encounter lasted four hours, though the pair decided to call it a night without moving to a second location because it was a Sunday. So a good story, and a new connection, i’d never been on a blind date. Two strangers are paired up for dinner and drinks, and then spill the beans to us, answering a set of questions, blind date is Saturday’s dating column: every week.
The Conversation
The duo bonded over professional commonalities, including their shared interest in design, alongside discussions about music, cooking, and various films. Stephen showcased his enthusiasm for his extensive hat collection, while Shahar reflected on the movies she added to her watchlist. During the meal, Stephen referred to the venue as “very fancy,” leading him to address his date as “the lady” when speaking to the waiter—a moment both described as lighthearted and amusing. It’s been running since 2009 – you can read all about how we put it together here.
A Challenging Tattoo and First Impressions
Initial nerves were present, with Shahar finding her date kind and deeply engaged, if somewhat intimidated by the situation. For Stephen, the standout first impressions were Shahar’s “gorgeous hair” and her American accent. A humorous, albeit slightly awkward moment occurred when Stephen mistook Shahar’s disco ball tattoo for an onion. Easy to talk to, made me laugh – and very generous with compliments, he was really engaged.
Reflections on the Encounter
Shahar praised Stephen for his ability to lead the conversation and his attentiveness in circling back to specific details. She felt he was authentic, thoughtful, and curious, though she later wished she had been more spontaneous regarding music recommendations and had saved more room for dessert. Stephen, meanwhile, admired Shahar’s professional passion and described her as elegant and chatty. He noted that while the vibe was not quite right for a kiss, he enjoyed the dynamic. Introducing someone to your circle – gotta earn that trust, it’s quite a compliment.
Date Details and Logistics
- Shahar’s score: 8 out of 10 (she originally wanted to give an 8.5 but deferred to Stephen’s dislike of half-points).
- Stephen’s score: 8 out of 10.
- Future plans: The pair discussed potential plans to see a film or attend a gig together, and Stephen shared his phone number with the hope of meeting again.
Information for Potential Applicants
- Application process: Email blind.date@.com to apply.
- Process details: Applicants are matched based on interests and preferences provided in their initial questionnaires.
- Privacy: Only first names, ages, and occupations are published; participants do not see each other’s answers prior to the meeting.
- Eligibility: Open to individuals residing within the UK.
Important Details
- But don’t worry: we’ll choose the nicest ones, can I pick the photograph? No.
- Job and age, what personal details will appear? Your first name.
- And that Blind date reaches a large audience, in print and online, how should I answer? Honestly but respectfully. Be mindful of how it will read to your date.
- Including length, and we may ask you for more details, will I see the other person’s answers? No. We may edit yours and theirs for a range of reasons.
- Will you find me The One? We’ll try! Marriage! Babies.
- But we would love to hear from people living elsewhere, can I do it in my home town? Only if it’s in the UK. Many of our applicants live in London.
- What do you think he made of you? I hope he thought I was funny. I did make him laugh quite a few times.
