Blind date: ‘I hope my handshake wasn’t too much of a red flag’

Jonathan on Katie

What were you hoping for?
To meet someone outside my usual bubble, have an interesting conversation, and see where it goes.

First impressions?
She seemed quite joyful, which is always great. I was also immediately intrigued by her tattoos.

What did you talk about?
Environmental activism. Project Hail Mary and whether the book or the film is better. The best bridge in London.

Most awkward moment?
I never quite know what to do when meeting a new person and fumbled a bit between a hug and a handshake.

Good table manners?
Great. I was glad to see she shares my opinion that napkins belong on your lap.

Best thing about Katie?
Her sunny personality and the happiness she radiates. I also like how passionate she is about what she does.

Would you introduce Katie to your friends?
I would. They would enjoy talking to her about environmental policy and her job.

Describe Katie in three words
Happy, passionate, inquisitive.

What do you think Katie made of you?
I think she liked me and enjoyed our conversation, though I think we both felt the age difference a little bit when we talked about our lives.

Did you go on somewhere?
We went for a short walk.

And … did you kiss?
No.

If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
I would have liked to have been more relaxed, but everything else was lovely.

Marks out of 10?
I don’t put numbers on people, so just for the evening, an 8.

Would you meet again?
Definitely, but as friends. I think we agreed that we’re in too different phases of life for anything more.

Katie on Jonathan

What were you hoping for?
To meet someone new, have a great evening, a story to tell and who knows after that.

First impressions?
Friendly, chatty, good dress sense and he was exactly on time.

What did you talk about?
Cycling in the Netherlands. Sci-fi. The rise of the far right. Our hobbies.

Most awkward moment?
Neither of us was used to such fancy restaurants, but the staff were very kind.

Good table manners?
Absolutely.

Best thing about Jonathan?
He seemed kind, passionate about his studies and a very genuine person.

Would you introduce Jonathan to your friends?
Potentially, although I’m not sure how much they would have in common.

Describe Jonathan in three words
Interesting, friendly, kind.

What do you think Jonathan made of you?
I hope my nerves didn’t get the better of me and the handshake I went for at the start wasn’t too much of a red flag.

Did you go on somewhere?
Just a walk on the way to the station.

And … did you kiss?
No, I wasn’t feeling a romantic spark.

If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
He was lovely, but we’re at different stages in life and I felt a bit old for him.

Marks out of 10?
8.

Would you meet again?
Maybe in five years if we were in more similar places in life.

Katie and Jonathan ate at Town House at The Kensington, London SW7. Fancy a blind date? Email [email protected]