Sadiye and Iwan recently stepped out of their comfort zones, embarking on what the Guardian fondly refers to as a blind date. Meeting for dinner at Parrillan Borough Yards, London SE1, both came with the hope of making connections, albeit with somewhat different expectations.
Sadiye expressed her anticipation for the date, craving good company and delicious food. When describing her first impressions of Iwan, she found him to be chatty and fun. Their conversation flowed freely—ranging from the merits of the NHS and the joys of gardening to cycling and home education.
For Iwan, the evening began with similar expectations. He described Sadiye as very welcoming and friendly, appreciating the immediate rapport they seemed to share. Their dialogues spanned topics from family, tennis, and chess to the nuances of dating apps.
Despite the easy flow of conversation, there were moments of awkwardness. Sadiye recalled the somewhat embarrassing incident when they asked the person at the neighboring table to take their picture, mentioning they were on a blind date—an introduction met with enthusiasm as the stranger shared her affection for the Guardian column. Iwan added his awkward moment arose when he revealed to Sadiye his residence in Sheffield, raising eyebrows over the long-distance aspect of their pairing.
Both considered their table manners exemplary, with Iwan even going so far as to seek out the waiter afterward to express gratitude and leave a tip.
During their discussion, they exchanged compliments—Sadiye praised Iwan's politeness and his future plans post-retirement, which included visiting hospitals to sing with his choir and comfort patients and staff alongside his dog. Meanwhile, Iwan found Sadiye to be genuine, thoughtful, and sincere, praising her honesty and companionship.
Despite the pleasantries of the evening, both acknowledged feelings of no romantic spark. Reflecting on their time together, Sadiye quoted, "I hope he thought I had some chat in me," signaling her concerns about their conversational chemistry. Iwan went so far as to remark, "It felt like a really positive evening. No romance but I think we both really enjoyed meeting and chatting." They inadvertently established the sentiment: mutual respect and admiration, without the romantic connection.
When asked if they would meet again, Sadiye articulated her reservations, stating she probably wouldn't, as there wasn't enough common ground to support another date. While she felt Iwan was lovely, it seemed the date steered more toward friendship than romance. Iwan concurred, noting, "Probably not. I'm not sure meeting again would change anything." Nevertheless, both gave their experiences high marks, with Sadiye rating the evening at 8 and Iwan giving it 10, reflecting the positivity of shared connection rather than love.
These accounts shed light on the world of blind dating, showcasing its potential for friendship, mutual respect, and the occasional awkward but endearing moments. Sadiye and Iwan's story is just one among many, illustrating the unpredictable and diverse human experiences found within blind dates.
For those eager to step outside their routine and explore their own romantic roads, perhaps another Guardian blind date waits on the horizon. Interested individuals can reach out via email at [email protected] to begin their own adventure.