Kirstie, 32, left, who works in emergency management for local government, and Tom, 32, a doctor — Composite: Graeme Robertson and Martin Godwin/The Guardian

Blind date: ‘He didn’t flirt. Was that because he wasn’t into me, or just that he’s not a flirtatious person?’

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Kirstie, 32, who works in emergency management for local government, meets Tom, 32, a doctor

Kirstie on Tom

What were you hoping for?
First, for him to show up! And for someone kind and interesting to have a decent conversation with.

First impressions?
Great skin and a bit of a baby face.

What did you talk about?
Our interests and what we wanted from dating. Family is important to both of us and we’d both like to meet someone we can start our own with.

Most awkward moment?
None. Tom is really friendly, and helped me feel at ease.

Good table manners?
Spot on, I couldn’t fault him at all.

Best thing about Tom?
His professional dedication to helping people through medicine.

Would you introduce Tom to your friends?
100%. I can’t imagine Tom not getting along with anyone.

Describe Tom in three words
Sweet, kind, posh.

Q&A

Fancy a blind date?

Show

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

What do you think Tom made of you?
We exchanged numbers at the end and he initiated the exchange. But he could have been doing that to be polite. Tom didn’t flirt, but I’ve no way of knowing if that’s because he wasn’t into me, or because he’s not a flirtatious person.

Did you go on somewhere?
We didn’t, but it was a Sunday night.

And … did you kiss?
Just a hug.

If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
My outfit. The venue was quite glamorous and I was maybe a little conservatively dressed.

Marks out of 10?
7.5

Would you meet again?
I would, though it’s hard to form a true opinion after one date. We both said skydiving is on our bucket list, so maybe we should do that. It would certainly be a different second date.

Tom on Kirstie

What were you hoping for?
Not to be stood up and have to ask the manager whether she’d walked in, seen me and walked out.

First impressions?
Confident and charismatic.

What did you talk about?
Holidays. Outdoorsy hobbies. The importance of family and friends. We were enjoying Italian food, so quite a bit of time was spent talking about our culinary skills or, in my case, lack thereof, as well as Stanley Tucci’s Search for Italy.

Most awkward moment?
I think I liked the food slightly more.

Good table manners?
Great table manners.

Best thing about Kirstie?
Difficult to pinpoint one. She’s a great conversationalist and very engaging.

Would you introduce Kirstie to your friends?
For sure.

Blind date: ‘I was a bit shocked to learn she had never eaten a prawn before. A prawn!’

Describe Kirstie in three words
Warm, intelligent, ambitious.

What do you think Kirstie made of you?
I hope I made a positive impression. I’m as eager to find out as you are.

Did you go on somewhere?
Not on this occasion.

And … did you kiss?
Only on the cheek.

If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
We did laugh about some prying eyes from another table, so perhaps table proximity would be the bit I’d change.

Marks out of 10?
7.5

Would you meet again?
We’ve exchanged numbers, so hopefully we can make that happen.

Kirstie and Tom ate at Daroco, London W1. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com

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