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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

Blind date: ‘I was desperately trying to disguise my shaky hands’

Max and Poppy, blind daters
Max and Poppy: ‘We hugged.’ Photograph: Andy Hall for the Guardian

Poppy on Max

What were you hoping for?
An evening of fine company, food and wine. And not to embarrass myself too much.

First impressions?
Warm, engaging, handsome.

What did you talk about?
Literature, the joys of living alone, Brexit, Max’s sporting achievements, what’s the deal with hashtags, falling off my vegetarian wagon.

Any awkward moments?
When Max suggested I try the wine. I was desperately trying to disguise my shaky hands, but good conversation soon put me at ease.

Good table manners?
Very much so.

Best thing about Max?
He’s extremely humble for an overachiever.

Would you introduce him to your friends?
He’s a smart and interesting individual – I’m sure they would enjoy meeting him.

Describe Max in three words
Driven, intelligent, charming.

What do you think he made of you?
Pretty, petite, funny, with a slightly nervous disposition.

Did you go on somewhere?
We stayed in the restaurant until late, then accompanied one another to the tube.

And... did you kiss?
No.

If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
Controversially, nothing. I genuinely had a very enjoyable evening.

Marks out of 10?
8.

Would you meet again?
I wouldn’t say no.

Max on Poppy

What were you hoping for?
Someone gorgeous, intelligent, adventurous, with a great sense of humour. So not much, really.

First impressions?
Cute, nervous, down to earth.

What did you talk about?
How to stick it to obnoxious clients. Champagne socialists.

Any awkward moments?
Endearingly, she got the shakes.

Good table manners?
Impeccable. A good food sharer.

Best thing about Poppy?
Her sense of humour.

Would you introduce her to your friends?
Yes. They’d get on famously.

Describe her in three words
Understated. Witty. Petite.

What do you think she made of you?
Hopefully, someone who sees the funny side of life.

Did you go on somewhere?
We stayed on for a cocktail.

And... did you kiss?
We hugged, on the tube.

If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
I wouldn’t. There wasn’t a spark, but I had a good time.

Marks out of 10?
7.

Would you meet again?
Yes, among friends with similar interests.

• Poppy and Max ate at Polpetto, London W1, as part of thisissoho.co.uk

Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com

If you’re looking to meet someone like-minded, visit soulmates.theguardian.com/subscribe/blinddate

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