Blind date: ‘I wish I hadn’t brought up my embarrassing tattoos’

Rory on Emma

What were you hoping for?

An interesting person to speak to and a nice bottle of wine.

First impressions?

Kind eyes and a good haircut.

What did you talk about?

Loads, because I kept going off on tangents. Work, family, friends. And her singing.

Any awkward moments?

When the (charming) waiter appeared very taken with Emma and sat beside us for a couple of minutes.

Good table manners?

I don’t recall any elbows on the table and she ate with her mouth closed.

Best thing about Emma?

Very interesting to speak to.

Would you introduce her to your friends?

Yes.

Describe her in three words

Alternative, creative, absorbing.

What do you think she made of you?

That I go off on way too many tangents.

Did you go on somewhere?

No, but we stayed until closing.

And... did you kiss?

No.

If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?

I wish I hadn’t brought up my embarrassing tattoos – one is a tomato with sunglasses.

Marks out of 10?

8.

Would you meet again?

Yes.

Emma on Rory

What were you hoping for?

Good food, easy conversation and a laugh.

First impressions?

Intense eye contact and a fun shirt.

What did you talk about?

Van Morrison’s redeeming qualities, whether Beyoncé is a feminist, and vegetarianism (which I broke during dinner).

Any awkward moments?

I thought he hadn’t shown up, but it turned out we were sitting at different tables for 30 minutes.

Good table manners?

Delightful. He gave me the last scallop.

Best thing about Rory?

Full of surprises. The conversation never quite went the way I expected.

Would you introduce him to your friends?

Sure. I think they’d get on.

Blind date: ‘There’s more to him than meets the eye’ Read more

Describe him in three words

Entertaining, inquisitive, easy-going.

What do you think he made of you?

Good company, if maybe a little young and drunk by the end.

Did you go on somewhere?

No, but we did have a couple of G&Ts in the restaurant.

And... did you kiss?

Nope.

If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?

Not having 30 minutes of awkwardly reading and rereading the menu at the start.

Marks out of 10?

7.

Would you meet again?

Yes, but as friends.

• Rory and Emma ate at Australasia, Manchester.

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

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