Blind date: ‘It felt like taking part in Blind Date was a lifelong thing she wanted to do’

Laurine, who works in forensics, meets Theo, a financial adviser. They are both 27

Laurine on Theo

What were you hoping for?
Love! Or someone new, great conversation, a free dinner and feature in my favourite Guardian column.

First impressions?
Very nice to staff, punctual and happy to be here.

What did you talk about?
Inheritance tax. What animals one would have on their dream farm. How he had never read a single Blind date column and didn’t even know the questions he’d be asked.

Most awkward moment?
I said I was living in a certain area of London and he said “I know”, which freaked me out for three seconds until he corrected himself and said he meant that he knew the area.

Good table manners?
Great. Except when I said he could have the last bite of our shared burrata and he forgot to eat it. I ate the last arancini instead, so it’s all water under the bridge.

Best thing about Theo?
He was great at conversation and had many topics he wanted to debate.

Would you introduce Theo to your friends?
We come from different worlds, so I’d be intrigued to see what would happen.

Describe Theo in three words.
Chatty, confident and entrepreneurial.

What do you think Theo made of you?
Hopefully chatty. At some points in the evening he said I was being political.

Did you go on somewhere?
We walked back to the station. I think we were the last ones in the restaurant.

And … did you kiss?
I’m not really a first date kisser.

If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
I would have tried the garlic bread.

Marks out of 10?
7.

Would you meet again?
I’d be happy to meet again as friends – we didn’t have a romantic spark.

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

Theo on Laurine

What were you hoping for?
A date with someone who I would never choose. And for something to have started that wasn’t on an app.

First impressions?
Laurine is very pretty, not to point out the obvious. She asked loads of questions, so it seemed she had a lot of interest in getting to know me – which weirdly feels rare on first dates.

What did you talk about?
Politics, which is risky on a first date, but it was an interesting conversation. There wasn’t any judgment.

Most awkward moment?
Just the silences in between ordering and not really knowing what to order.

Good table manners?
Honestly, I’d never have noticed, but she said we’d be asked about them, so I looked out for them. They were fine.

Best thing about Laurine?
She’s unapologetically herself. I only got an evening but if you’re like that with strangers then I’d imagine it’s amplified in your normal life.

Would you introduce Laurine to your friends?
Yes.

Describe Laurine in three words.
Intelligent. Very French. Prepared.

What do I think Laurine made of you?
We had a good time and I think we got on, but I feel like taking part in Blind date was a lifelong thing she wanted to do, so maybe she was more wrapped up in that than the actual date.

Did you go on somewhere?
We walked to the station together, exchanged numbers and went home.

And … did you kiss?
No.

If I could change one thing what would it be?
The date not being on a Monday night.

Marks out of 10?
8.

Would you meet again?
It would be as friends.

Laurine and Theo ate at Rossella, London NW5. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com