Emi on HariWhat were you hoping for?
Someone to walk London’s Capital Ring with. Failing that, a free dinner.
First impressions?
Handsome and he made me feel at ease.
What did you talk about?
Whether pasta is overrated. How ageing has kicked in earlier than we expected. Made in Chelsea.
Most awkward moment?
I think I showed a little too much disdain when he mentioned his friends working in the City.
Good table manners?
There was no table to speak of! But yes, he got chopsticks for his dumplings to prove he could use them – and he could.
Q&AFancy a blind date?ShowBlind 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 [email protected]
Best thing about Hari?
He was warm, made me feel comfortable and was easy to talk to and joke around with. He seemed confident and well rounded.
Would you introduce Hari to your friends?
Hari is lovely but I am not sure that they would have much in common.
Describe Hari in three words.
Warm, friendly, curious.
What do you think Hari made of you?
I’m honestly not sure. I confessed that I was quite hungover on arrival. I hope he didn’t judge me for that.
Did you go on somewhere?
No. I went on to meet my friends and get a Burger King.
And … did you kiss?
A peck on the cheek.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
There was a corporate party at the venue doing a silent disco, which made me cringe.
Marks out of 10?
7.
Would you meet again?
We have different interests and are not each other’s usual type, so probably not.
Hari and Emi on their dateHari on EmiWhat were you hoping for?
Chemistry, romance, free food.
First impressions?
Striking and engaging.
What did you talk about?
The pressure to maintain top spot in the sibling hierarchy. Getting whipped/flailed in Russian saunas. Brat summer v rat boy summer. Judging people at the silent disco.
Most awkward moment?
Doing laps of the venue as there was nowhere to sit down.
Good table manners?
Excellent. Emi made light work of her halloumi wrap.
Best thing about Emi?
Her general demeanour: she was very easy to talk to. Also she had a pretty cool nose ring.
Would you introduce Emi to your friends?
Yeah, I reckon she could hold her own.
Describe Emi in three words.
Intriguing, witty, confident.
What do you think Emi made of you?
I hope she thought I’m not like the other boys.
Did you go on somewhere?
No. We just hugged goodbye and headed for the tube.
And … did you kiss?
No kiss.
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
We agreed that small plates/tapas would have been more up our street.
Marks out of 10?
8.
Would you meet again?
We probably weren’t each other’s types, but I’d hang out again for sure.
Hari and Emi ate at Cocktails in the City, London WC1. Fancy a blind date? Email [email protected]