Table for Two | ‘I hope he didn’t think I was a gay male version of Miranda Hart’

Alex (left) 
Age: 28
Occupation: Charity chief executive

Sam (right)
Age: 25
Accountant: Training manager

What were you hoping for from the date?

Alex: I like meeting new people and thought it’d be interesting to go in without any preconceptions.

Sam: I was hoping to meet someone fun who had the same interests as me. 

What were your first impressions?

A: He was lovely – smiley and chatty.

S: We were both quite nervous. 

How different was he to your usual type? 

A: I’d say he’s my type (well done, guys!) but I do usually go for someone older than him. The date was a good case to rethink that rule. 

S: I don’t have a specific type but Alex is shorter than me; that’s a departure. 

Would you have swiped left or right?

A: Right. He’s cute and intelligent.

S: Probably left.

How was the conversation, and what did you talk about?

A: We spoke about our shared interests in history and travelling, and traded bad dating stories.

S: We covered Eurovision and RuPaul, and he was passionate about his job and his friends, which I liked. 

What was the most interesting thing about him?

A: That he studied history but ended up in the financial sector – I wasn’t sure how that happened and I’m not sure he knew, either.

S: He started his own charity, which is cool, and he’s a trained sommelier.  

Photography: Markus Bidaux

What is his best quality?

A: He was a good listener, although I fear that I may have rambled. 

S: He always had a story so there were no breaks in conversation.

What did you make of his dress sense?

A: I don’t put a high benchmark on dress sense. However, he gets points for persevering in the heat and arriving in a shirt-and-jeans combo. 

S: He maybe could have made more of an effort because he was wearing a plain t-shirt.

Were there any deal-breakers?

A: He smokes. I can’t stand smoking. 

S: I had a nice time, but there wasn’t much chemistry. 

What do you think he thought of you?

A: I hope he didn’t think I was a gay male version of Miranda Hart, bubbling with nerves, and guzzling loads of wine. 

S: I didn’t have as many stories as he did so he might’ve thought I was quiet. 

What were you most worried he would notice about you?

A: I’m clumsy and was nervous I’d fall, knock over wine or start a fire! I was trying to come across as cool and collected, but I don’t think it worked.

S: It was ridiculously warm so I was a hot mess when I arrived. 

How was the food?

A: I had the steak with some sides. The waitress paired wines for us. I would love to go back.

S: The restaurant was amazing and the staff were lovely. 

Alex and Sam dined at M Restaurant, Victoria Street, London

 

Any awkward moments?

A: You know when you’re talking too much, but carry on and on into an embarrassing story? I think I did that.  

S: It’s always awkward when you know a date isn’t going to go anywhere. 

How did the night end?

A: We hugged goodbye. 

S: We walked back to the Tube but we haven’t been in touch since. 

What would you have changed about the night?

A: I would have calmed my nerves.

S: He was a nice guy, but I probably would’ve enjoyed myself more if I had more in common with him. 

Snog, marry, avoid?

A: A snog — for putting up with me. 

S: Avoid.

Will you meet again?

A: I’d like to grab a drink with him.

S: He was really sweet, but I doubt it.

RATE THE DATE!

Alex: 8/10

Sam: 6/10

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