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Abby on Charlie

What were you hoping for?
A different kind of Friday night with good company and a fancy meal!

First impressions?
Charlie was super friendly and really easy to chat to.

What did you talk about?
Our jobs. Rowing. Cycling. Book recommendations. Where we both want to travel to next.

Most awkward moment?
When Charlie nearly set the wine menu alight with the candle on the table – it was more funny than awkward.

Good table manners?
Definitely.

Best thing about Charlie?
He’s one of those people that naturally knows a lot about everything. And his choice of wine.

Would you introduce Charlie to your friends?
Maybe, but it doesn’t sound like he would have enough time to meet them with his busy schedule!

Describe Charlie in three words
Friendly, intelligent and down-to-earth.

What do you think Charlie made of you?
Hopefully easy to chat to, interested and good company for a Friday night.

Did you go on somewhere?
We didn’t, but we stayed in the restaurant pretty late – the time flew.

And … did you kiss?
No, just a friendly hug goodbye.

If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
Maybe how close together the tables were? The people either side spent a lot of time watching us and listening in.

Marks out of 10?
8. It was a good night and the restaurant was amazing, but there wasn’t really a romantic spark.

Would you meet again?
Maybe as friends – or if I ever wanted to learn how to row.

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

Charlie on Abby

What were you hoping for?
A fun, flirty evening with interesting conversation.

First impressions?
Confident and cool.

What did you talk about?
Books. Travel. Space – until she questioned whether the moon landing was real.

Most awkward moment?
My reaction to her questioning the moon landing. I didn’t quite keep a poker face, which put a speed bump in the conversation.

Good table manners?
Really nice.

Best thing about Abby?
Super easy to chat to and really confident. There were no real awkward moments and we ended up chatting for ages – the time flew by.

Would you introduce Abby to your friends?
I don’t think our interests/hobbies overlap too much.

Describe Abby in three words
Friendly, outgoing, charismatic.

What do you think Abby made of you?
We had a really nice chat but she might think I was a bit much.

Did you go on somewhere?
No, we chatted for so long the evening got away from us.

And … did you kiss?
No, it wasn’t too flirty.

If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
It would have been nice to have a bit more of a flirt, but I don’t think the chemistry was there for that.

Marks out of 10?
6.

Would you meet again?
I had a great evening and Abby was super easy to chat to but I think we are looking for different things in a partner.

Abby and Charlie ate at Salut!, London N1. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com