Seán on Sam
What were you hoping for?
To try a more conventional style of dating, outside apps, and put an end to my unfortunate dating streak.
First impressions?
Walking into the restaurant I saw him from behind first and thought this has potential. I also loved his jacket.
What did you talk about?
Pop culture. My poetry book. Janet Jackson. Vinyl hunting. Our top five Lana Del Rey songs.
Most awkward moment?
A pernickety waitress in the pub we went to afterwards started using our table as the holding space for menus, cutlery and napkins – enclosing us so we had to sit closer and closer. We thought she might be the matchmaker in disguise!
Good table manners?
Very good. Though, we were at a tapas restaurant so getting crumbs on the table was inevitable.
Best thing about Sam?
Good at asking questions and showed genuine interest in our discussions.
Would you introduce Sam to your friends?
Yeah!
Describe Sam in three words
Inquisitive, cultured, warm.
What do you think Sam made of you?
I hope he thought I was good company and interesting to spend an evening with.
Did you go on somewhere?
An old pub in Borough Market that we both agreed had an 1850s Oliver Twist vibe – specifically Oom-Pah-Pah from the musical version.
And … did you kiss?
No.
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
That we had kissed.
Marks out of 10?
8.
Would you meet again?
We have a date in the diary.
Sam on Seán
What were you hoping for?
A whirlwind romance straight out of a Nancy Meyers or Richard Linklater movie. Failing that, a nice meal.
First impressions?
The 1970s. Seán has a gorgeous set of locks and a tache to be proud of.
What did you talk about?
As well as his devotion to Abba and our mutual love of Lana Del Rey, we wrote a poem together.
Most awkward moment?
I told Seán a story about hawks, but he misheard and thought I was talking about a similar-sounding word (not ending in K). I’m glad I could clarify that one before the end of the evening.
Good table manners?
We apologised to the waitress for the amount of mess on the table.
Best thing about Seán?
His passion for the things he loves.
Would you introduce Seán to your friends?
Yes, they’d love him.
Describe Seán in three words
Charming, kind, poetic.
What do you think Seán made of you?
Is he an alcoholic?
Did you go on somewhere?
We had a lovely walk down the South Bank and ended up in a pub.
And … did you kiss?
No, but it seemed like the waitress in the pub wanted us to.
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
To finish the poem we started.
Marks out of 10?
8.
Would you meet again?
Seán has promised to take me to Abba Voyage. It’ll be his ninth time.
Sam and Seán ate at La Gamba, London SE1. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
• This article was amended on 26 June 2023 to correct Seán’s name, which was twice spelt as Séan.
