Sam and Anna, Blind Date — Photograph: Antonio Olmos/the Guardian

Blind date: ‘His eyes lit up when we started talking about potatoes’

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Anna, 28, actor and writer, meets Sam, 27, writer and NHS 111 health adviser

Anna on Sam

What were you hoping for?
Light to moderate flirting.

First impressions?
Very friendly and lovely. But he looks like my dad did at 27! Oh no ...

What did you talk about?
Was I tall enough to reach the heater button? Were the vegetarian options going to suffice? What’s the definitive best potato dish? All the big, tantalising, exciting stuff.

Any awkward moments?
He mentioned that he went into dates knowing he didn’t want anything and seemed to have a very casual approach to anything love-life related. I was aghast, both for myself and on behalf of fellow devotees of this column.

Good table manners?
Sam handled his kale like a pro and was diplomatic in potato sharing.

Best thing about Sam?
His eyes lit up when we started talking about potatoes.

Would you introduce Sam to your friends?
We move in different circles, but I imagine we already have a few mutuals.

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

Describe Sam in three words.
Chatty, dapper, young.

What do you think Sam made of you?
I honestly have no idea. He seemed keen for a more networky approach. And complimented my dress.

Did you go on somewhere?
To my bed, alone, to crack Gogglebox on.

And … did you kiss?
My dad?! No.

If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
A less Freudian experience.

Marks out of 10?
A friendly 7.

Would you meet again?
We’ll probably bump into each other again and have a friendly natter.

Sam and Anna on their date. — Sam and Anna on their date

Sam on Anna

What were you hoping for?
To meet someone different.

First impressions?
Very good: she was kind, welcoming and easy to chat to.

What did you talk about?
Stalkers. How the photographer told me to be nice to her. How we’ve both trained at the National Youth theatre.

Any awkward moments?
Turning up at the bar next door and the waiter rudely informing me that I was at the wrong place.

Good table manners?
She was polite and knew what she wanted, with no fuss.

Best thing about Anna?
Probably her hair.

Would you introduce Anna to your friends?
Yeah, of course.

Describe Anna in three words.
Small, passionate, kind.

What do you think Anna made of you?
I was doing OK until I ordered kale salad. It looks a bit sad ordering something so healthy, but I’m vegetarian and the restaurant mainly served chicken.

Did you go on somewhere?
We did not.

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And … did you kiss?
No, we did not.

If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
More veggie options on the menu.

Marks out of 10?
Probably a 6.5.

Would you meet again?
If I saw one of her shows or something – not just the two of us. The theatre scene in London is quite small, so I’m sure our paths will cross again.

Sam and Anna ate at Cocotte on Hoxton Square, London N1. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com

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