Composite: Antonio Olmos & Christian Sinibaldi/The Guardian
Mike, white and bearded, stands with hand on chin wearing pale shirt, dark trousers and shoes
Mike on Caterina
What were you hoping for?
Good company, nice food and an interesting evening with someone new. I got everything I hoped for.
First impressions?
Warm, confident and easy to talk to.
What did you talk about?
The joys of being an aunt/uncle. Freelance life. Jury duty as a newly minted British citizen.
Most awkward moment?
None that I recall, so either the evening went smoothly or the malbec did its job.
Good table manners?
If there were any faux pas, I was too busy enjoying the conversation to notice.
Best thing about Caterina?
She’s genuinely one of the easiest people to talk to that I’ve ever met.
Would you introduce Caterina to your friends?
Without hesitation.
Describe Caterina in three words
Warm, kind, elegant.
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
What do you think Caterina made of you?
Hopefully polite, easy company and good for a chat. Perhaps a lack of shared passions meant the spark wasn’t there, but the conversation never ran dry.
Did you go on somewhere?
We were the last two in the restaurant, so we went for a stroll around London until midnight, when I had to dash for the last train back to Cambridge.
And … did you kiss?
Sorry to disappoint: just a farewell hug.
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
I’d have liked a bit more time before that last train forced the evening to end.
Marks out of 10?
9.5. Hard to fault a thoroughly enjoyable evening just because it wasn’t heading toward romance.
Would you meet again?
We may meet for a coffee when I’m in London, and there’s an open invitation for a guided tour of Cambridge.
Mike and Caterina on their date.
Caterina, white with mid-length brown hair, stands with hands in pockets, wearing cream waistcoat, black trousers and espadrilles
Caterina on Mike
What were you hoping for?
To meet someone special.
First impressions?
Nice smile and face; a bit nervous or shy.
What did you talk about?
Favourite cuisine. Past and future travels. Harry Potter. Even politics.
Most awkward moment?
I felt I was leading the conversation most of the time, asking questions.
Good table manners?
Very nice: he would pour water in my glass whenever it was empty.
Best thing about Mike?
You can tell he’s someone who loves putting care into what he does and what he says – a rare find these days.
Would you introduce Mike to your friends?
Not sure – my friendship group has a lot of energy.
Describe Mike in three words
Organised, thorough, kind.
What do you think Mike made of you?
Not sure. Maybe that I’m a weird woman who eats fast and laughs loudly!
Did you go on somewhere?
We had a walk around Soho/Covent Garden – I felt he deserved a bit of tourism, coming from Cambridge.
And … did you kiss?
No, just a hug.
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
Nothing major – maybe just a slightly quieter spot to chat.
Marks out of 10?
7.5.
Would you meet again?
As friends. I would like to grab a coffee together.
Mike and Caterina ate at Tagine & Grill at the Sun and 13 Cantons_,_ London W1_. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com_
