Blind date: ‘He recited poetry to me in the rain’

Franca on Jimmy

What have been you hoping for?
A memorable expertise. And, if the celebs aligned, to satisfy somebody inventive, variety and open-minded.

First impressions?
Jimmy was heat and pleasant from the off and I felt comfortable immediately. Dialog flowed from the second we sat down and we didn’t cease till closing time.

What did you speak about?
Aphantasia. Carrying pyjamas (I do, he doesn’t). Dungeons & Dragons. Our shared love of Mario Kart. The life span of hamsters. Frank Sinatra. Oh, and he invited me to Turkey.

Any awkward moments?
Maybe when he advised me my starter regarded as if it had been vajazzled.

Good desk manners?
Nice. He was up for sharing and there have been a number of fist bumps and high-fives.

Q&A

Need to be in Blind date?

Present

Blind date is Saturday’s courting column: each week, two
strangers are paired up for dinner and drinks, after which spill the beans
to us, answering a set of questions. This runs, with a photograph we
take of every dater earlier than the date, in Saturday journal (within the
UK) and on-line at theguardian.com each Saturday. It’s been working since 2009 – you'll be able to learn all about how we put it collectively right here.

What questions will I be requested?
We
ask about age, location, occupation, hobbies, pursuits and the kind of
individual you wish to meet. If you don't suppose these questions
cowl all the things you want to know, inform us what’s in your thoughts.

Can I select who I match with?
No,
it’s a blind date! However we do ask you a bit about your pursuits,
preferences, and many others – the extra you inform us, the higher the match is probably going
to be.

Can I decide the photograph?
No, however don't fret: we'll select the nicest ones.

What private particulars will seem?
Your first identify, job and age.

How ought to I reply?
Actually
however respectfully. Be aware of the way it will learn to your date, and that
Blind date reaches a big viewers, in print and on-line.

Will I see the opposite individual’s solutions?
No. We might edit yours and theirs for a variety of causes, together with size, and we might ask you for extra particulars.

Will you discover me The One?
We’ll attempt! Marriage! Infants!

Can I do it in my residence city?
Provided that it’s within the UK. A lot of our candidates reside in London, however we'd love to listen to from individuals residing elsewhere.

How you can apply
Electronic mail blind.date@theguardian.com

Was this useful?

Thanks to your suggestions.

Smartest thing about Jimmy?
He’s creatively proficient, open and has some unbelievable tales to inform. I laughed loads.

Would you introduce Jimmy to your folks?
Sure, I’m certain they’d get on.

Describe Jimmy in three phrases.
Refreshing, inventive, charming.

What do you suppose Jimmy product of you?
We appeared to take to each other, so hopefully nothing too horrible.

Did you go on someplace?
He walked me to my resort to ensure I bought again safely, whereas reciting poetry to me within the rain. It was pretty.

And … did you kiss?
The poetry should have gone to my head – we did.

If you happen to might change one factor concerning the night what wouldn't it be?
I ought to’ve ordered a special starter.

Marks out of 10?
A strong first-date 8.

Would you meet once more?
There’s discuss of assembly up.

Jimmy and Franca on their date

Jimmy on Franca

What have been you hoping for?
Sparks, good dialog and mutual attraction. All have been current in spades.

First impressions?
She’s charming, beautiful and straightforward to speak to. We shortly reciprocated one another’s honesty and vulnerability.

What did you speak about?
Relationships. Plans. Pets. Political leanings. Neurodivergence. Gaming.

Any awkward moments?
I began speaking to her in Italian, solely to find she doesn’t really communicate it.

Good desk manners?
Hers have been impeccable, and he or she even complimented me on mine (a primary).

Smartest thing about Franca?
Her social braveness. She wasn’t shy about telling me her emotions or how she felt the night was going. It’s uncommon to seek out individuals in your wavelength.

Would you introduce Franca to your folks?
Completely. I’ve shared our selfie with a few of my nearest and dearest.

Describe Franca in three phrases.
Charming, open, resilient.

What do you suppose Franca product of you?
Nicely, she described me as fascinating and advised me to cease worrying about speaking an excessive amount of.

Did you go on someplace?
Time was in opposition to us.

And … did you kiss?
There was a barely prolonged goodbye.

If you happen to might change one factor concerning the night what wouldn't it be?
For it to not have ended.

Marks out of 10?
9.

Would you meet once more?
I’ve already put the provide out.

Franca and Jimmy ate at STK Steakhouse, London WC2. Fancy a blind date? Electronic mail blind.date@theguardian.com