Composite: Jill Mead/The Guardian View image in fullscreen Composite: Jill Mead/The Guardian Blind date Dating Blind date: ‘Most awkward moment? When I accidentally called her Melissa’ James, 34, a researcher, meets Michelle, 30, a radio presenter
Prefer the Guardian on Google James on Michelle View image in fullscreen What were you hoping for? An unforgettable evening.
What did you talk about? Birmingham, as we both went to university there, but at different times and came away with contrasting perceptions! Food, with a particular focus on madeleines. Reality TV. Music. Comedy. Dancing. Football.
Most awkward moment? Embarrassingly, I accidentally called her Melissa. (Sorry!)
Good table manners? Yes – despite Michelle asking me to try her steak tartare, even though I’d mentioned that I was a vegetarian.
Best thing about Michelle? Easy-going and forgiving (after my slip-up with her name).
Would you introduce Michelle to your friends? Yeah. She’s easy to get along with.
Describe Michelle in three words Chilled, creative, bougie.
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
Thank you for your feedback. What do you think Michelle made of you? Chatty and mildly funny (a couple of my jokes didn’t quite land).
Did you go on somewhere? Nope, it was a Tuesday night, and past my bedtime.
And … did you kiss? I don’t kiss on a first date.
If you could change one thing about the date what would it be? The time: it was in the evening after work, and I was pretty tired. Also, the timing meant I missed the Champions League games on TV that night.
Would you meet again? We’re plotting our next outing.
View image in fullscreen James and Michelle on their date. Michelle on James View image in fullscreen What were you hoping for? To meet someone genuinely interesting who could hold a great conversation.
First impressions? He came across as incredibly warm and had a relaxed energy, which immediately put me at ease.
What did you talk about? Our mutual love for discovering great mu…