Blind date: ‘I joked we should join the young people for a club night. We didn’t’

Published 1 August 2026 · india

Richard on Katrina What were you hoping for? Easy conversation with someone interesting, smart and relaxed. First impressions? Katrina arrived and my blind date trepidation

Richard on Katrina What were you hoping for? Easy conversation with someone interesting, smart and relaxed. First impressions? Katrina arrived and my blind date trepidation vanished. She looked good, was warm, and the conversation flowed straight away. What did you talk about? Our grownup kids. Running. Travel. Our devotion to our coffee machines. Most awkward moment? I thought Katrina was still working her way through her post-meal mint tea, so was taken aback when she said, “Shall we call it a night?” Good table manners? Impeccable. Best thing about Katrina? She is great company. Would you introduce Katrina to your friends? Yes. I’m sure she gets on really well with most people. 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 Was this helpful? Thank you for your feedback. Describe Katrina in three words Calm, warm, open. What do you think Katrina made of you? She laughed at a few things I said, and we had quite a few things in common, so I think she felt I was easy company. Did you go on somewhere? As we left the restaurant and saw a queue of young people outside a bar, I joked that we should join them for a club night. We didn’t. And … did you kiss? No. If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be? Nothing. I had a fun evening with a lovely woman and don’t think it could have been improved. Marks out of 10? A strong 8. Would you meet again? I really enjoyed Katrina’s company, we talked and laughed a lot. So of course. View image in fullscreen Richard and Katrina on their date. Katrina on Richard What were you hoping for? To finally meet “the one”. First impressions? Polite, relaxed and quietly handsome. What did you talk about? Coffee snobbery – our coffee machines (identical), the best beans, our children aspiring to own the same machine.