Table for Two | ‘Snog, marry, avoid? Marry for sure’

Samuel (left) 
Age: 30
Occupation: Food and beverage supervisor

Omar (right)
Age: 27
Occupation: Freelance journalist/bartender

What were you hoping to get out of the date?

Omar: I just wanted to do something different, and get to know a person.

Samuel: After living in Tenerife for three years, I’ve got rusty when it comes to dating. This was a good way to throw myself back in at the deep end.

What were your first impressions?

O: I was so nervous, but he made me feel comfortable straightaway. He was really handsome as well.

S: When he walked in, all my nerves eased. I was genuinely impressed.

How different was he to your usual type?

O: I normally go for ‘hipster’ guys. He was a bit different to that, but in a good way.

S: I’m usually attracted to guys who are slightly older than me. Omar is younger — does that make me a daddy?

Would you have swiped left or right?

O: Now, right. Just from photos, I don’t know, I wouldn’t think I was his type of guy.

S: I never swipe. I’m more into old-fashioned dating. However, hypothetically, he would have received a right swipe for sure.

How was the conversation and what did you talk about?

O: Really natural. We talked about everything: travelling, current affairs, guilty pleasures and family.

S: We didn’t stop talking. At one point, I think I compared him to Ugly Betty, but I meant the cute gay sidekick. As usual, I put my foot in my mouth!

What was the most interesting thing about him?

O: His tattoos.

S: He moved here around the same time I moved to Tenerife, so it was interesting to compare experiences.

Photography: Markus Bidaux

What was his best quality?

O: His beautiful smile. He’s also really funny.

S: His eyes are dreamy, and his smile is contagious.

What did you make of his dress sense?

O: He really knows how to dress up. I loved his fashion sense.

S: He’s also a stylist so, of course, it was going to be amazing.

Were there any deal-breakers?

O: Not at all.

S: I don’t think so… but we have only just met so it’s a bit too soon to tell.

What do you think he thought of you?

O: Funny, silly, but also a good guy. I think he liked me.

S: Hopefully, he liked me. I was really nervous.

What were you most worried he would notice about you?

O: That I was so nervous. But then we ended up talking about it and it was OK.

S: My fear of people taking pictures of me. Selfies are fine but if anyone else is taking the photos I want the ground to open and swallow me whole. I used to weigh 16 stone, I lost the weight but I still feel like the ‘fat guy’.

How was the food?

O: Amazing. I loved the lamb, and the chocolate-and-peanut dessert. The French rosé was also incredible.

S: Really nice. We laughed a lot about having no idea about what half the stuff on the menu was. Considering my job, I should probably know.

Samuel and Omar dined at M Restaurant, Victoria Street, London

Any awkward moments?

O: Every time they brought the food over, we stopped talking which was kind of awkward.

S: When I walked in, he kept asking the manager if she was sure I was his date. At first it was awkwardly funny, but then it turned into being just funny.

How did the night end?

O: We went for another drink in Soho then I took him to the train station. It ended really well.

S: I ended up getting a tour of Soho and going to a couple of bars. He took me to the station to catch my last train because I’d got lost on the Underground on my way to the date — did I mention I’m blond?

What would you have changed about the night?

O: Nothing.

S: I wouldn’t have changed anything.

Snog, marry, avoid?

O: Marry, for sure.

S: It’s too early to talk about marriage, so I guess it’s snog.

Will you meet again?

O: Yes, at least I hope so.

S: Hopefully! We have been messaging since the date, and are planning to go to see Wicked.

Rate the date!

Samuel: 10/10

Omar: 10/10

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