A few weeks ago, Guardian Soulmates members were asked to fill in a Guardian/Netflix Love compatibility questionnaire, which matched their personalities according to their streaming habits. Let’s face it, a person’s viewing style says a hell of a lot about them.
Kristen and Andrew were paired because both of them were pretty easy-going types with a mutual love of the political thriller House of Cards. But would that provide enough spark for romance?
Kristen Boyd, 37, is a teacher based in Edinburgh
“A friend of mine once went on a blind date with a guy who looked like Shrek with a mullet,” cringes Kristen, 37. Needless to say, she didn’t have high hopes for her very first blind date when the Guardian/Netflix Love compatibility questionnaire revealed a match. But Andrew, 33, “very pleasantly” surprised her. “He was a really nice looking, clean-cut guy. I was definitely attracted to him.”
What’s more, the conversation flowed as the pair sat down to dinner at Edinburgh restaurant, The Dogs, before rounding the evening off with midnight cocktails at Bramble, a nearby bar. “In terms of personality, we clicked really well. And he was a respectful, chivalrous kind of guy.”
Such a gentleman, in fact, that when she gave him her number on a bit of paper she found in her wallet – on which she had also written down some of her private pass codes – he texted her a photo of it, realising she’d probably need them sooner or later. “We were texting jokes back and forth after that,” she recalls.
Kristen veers on the slightly cautious side, however, because she only moved over from Australia a few months ago after coming out of a long-term relationship.
“I think as you get a bit older, you’re happy enough in your own company, so it has to be really great for it to be worth exchanging that for,” she says. “I’m not sure about romance yet but I saw enough to make me think I’d like to get to know him better …”
That he is so like-minded works in Andrew’s favour, as does being Scottish and, well, a few years younger. “There are a lot of similarities between Scottish men and Australian guys in general, especially the ability to have a joke at their own expense. And there are definite advantages to dating a younger man.”
Question is, who will make the first move? “It doesn’t bother me either way, she insists. “I’m happy to make the first move. I’d say we’ll definitely meet up again some time soon …”
Kristen on Andrew: 10/10
Andrew Gourlay, 33, is a customer services and logistics manager
Andrew has been on so many bonkers dates in recent years it’s highly commendable he was willing to be set up in the first place. Perhaps he knew that whatever happened couldn’t possibly be as awkward as one recent encounter he had in a coffee shop …
“She had a kid, which I was fine about. But just before we went on our third date, she messaged: ‘Would you like to meet Daniel?’” I explained that we’d not really spent a huge amount of time together and maybe we should get to know each other a bit more first. I thought that was that … until she turned up with the child anyway. He was a nine-month-old baby and the next minute she’s breastfeeding him. I’m fine with breastfeeding in public but, I have to say, it was unexpected on a third date.”
As a result, Andrew admits he’s become increasingly picky – but he was blown away when Kristen arrived. “I was definitely happy with the outcome,” he says. “She’s an attractive girl and had a fantastic dress on. I had to keep check of my eyes wandering!”
Sharing a healthy approach to life (they both do yoga) and a love of home cooking, the pair found so much to talk about that they still hadn’t looked at the menu half an hour in. It’s no wonder they went on for cocktails, where Andrew quickly averted the only potentially awkward moment. “It took me about 20 minutes to get served, so I just said to the guy: ‘Bring the drinks over, I can’t leave her sat on her own.’”
What a gentleman. So what next, yoga for two? “I’m not sure a second date is right for hot and sweaty stretches, but I’ll send Kristen a little note and ask her if she wants to meet up again. There’s always potential for romance.”
Andrew on Kristen: 8/10
Overall verdict: aw, don’t you love it when a matchmaking plan comes together? It’s clear the pair had a lot more in common than their taste in television programmes.
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