Table for Two | ‘He made me feel comfortable opening up about things you might not ordinarily talk about’

Sandeep (left) 
Age: 34
Occupation: Project manager

Ian (right)
Age: 37
Occupation: Marketing manager

What were you hoping for?

SANDEEP: To have a lovely experience and I liked that Attitude volunteered to take the preamble bit of dating out of the situation.

IAN: This was my first date for a while and my first ever blind date. I thought it would be good to meet someone who was different from the type of guy I would normally date, but with a similar outlook on life.

How different was he to your usual type?

S: I’ve statistically ended up with older men, for no particular reason, but I’ve wanted to approach guys around my own age. Generally, I just don’t know where they are or assume that most are already in relationships.

I: My usual type is dark hair, stubble, beard, Mediterranean. He wasn’t quite that, but in a good way — and he was still tall, dark and handsome, so a big tick.

Would you have swiped left or right?

S: Right.

I: Right — as I said: tall, dark and handsome!

How was the conversation and what did you talk about?

S: Almost everything, really. I quite liked talking about our shared histories on music and culture growing up.

I: The conversation seemed to flow really well. We talked about all the things you’d expect such as family, travel and holidays, work, where we lived and grew up, food and drink. And Netflix, of course!

Photography: Markus Bidaux

What was his best quality?

S: I liked his comfort and ease at holding a good conversation, but also in making me feel comfortable in opening up quite a lot about things that you might not ordinarily talk about on a first date.

I: He was just a really personable guy and easy to get on with which made the date enjoyable.

What did you make of his dress sense?

S: I’m a fan of minimalism, so I liked it.

I: He had a black jacket and t-shirt combo, which looked really smart.

Were there any deal-breakers?

S: Not so far.

I: Well, we don’t exactly live close to each other, with me on the South Coast and him near Heathrow.

What were you most worried he would notice about you?

S: My main concern in dating has been my hair. I own my baldness now, but it still leaves you with a complex when meeting new people.

I: That despite trying to pretend I wasn’t nervous, I actually was.

How was the food?

S: Amazing. The tuna starter was great and the wine was some of the best Malbec I’ve had in a while.

I: Really good, I had the fillet steak and we shared three tasty sauces.

Sandeep and Ian dined at M Restaurant, Victoria Street, London

How did the night end?

S: Ian knows the area, so suggested we go to a nice bar down the road from the restaurant. We went there for a few more drinks.

I: We went for another drink at a bar around the corner.

What would you have changed about the night?

S: I would have not done it on a school night.

I: Nothing about the date itself, but the bus replacement service on the way home took the edge off the evening!

Snog, marry, avoid?

S: Oh Attitude, are you trying to steer me towards an indiscretion?

I: Snog.

Will you meet again?

S: Ian’s offered to show me the delights and mysteries of Portsmouth, which I look forward to.

I: Yes, I think we will try to meet up when I’m in London next.

RATE THE DATE!

S: 8/10

I: 8/10

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