Blind Date: Christian and Chloe

With many thanks to The Stable, Canon’s Road, BS1 5UH, www.stablepizza.com

We sent Christian and Chloë on a blind date to The Stable this month, but was there any romance on the menu?

Name and occupation?
“Christian, I’m a technical consultant.”
“Chloë, I’m a student.”

Have you ever been on a blind date before?
Christian: “No, this was the first time.”
Chloë: “Nope, this was a first.”

What made you want to go on this blind date?
Christian: “I never really get the opportunity to go out on a week night since I’ve started work, so it was definitely decent to go somewhere different. On top of that I thought that even if she hated me and/or left early, I still have a pizza and a beer in front of me, which is really all anyone can ask for.”
Chloë: “I think there is value in meeting people for its own sake, and this is a slightly unusual opportunity to meet someone who may not fall within the ‘type’ you might usually go for or hang out with.”

What were your first thoughts when you saw your date?
Christian: “I was just glad she turned up to be fair, I could’ve easily solo-ed a pizza but it’s definitely a lot more socially acceptable when there are two of you eating and talking.”
Chloë: “I was just quite relieved that they’d turned up, as I was wondering if this was an elaborate ploy to place me in a social experiment where I was stood up and see how long I stayed.”

What did you talk about?
Christian: “A whole array of things really – university, travelling, music, politics, current affairs – which again refreshing as it’s not often the case that you can have a conversation with someone who knows a lot and has their own viewpoint on a range of topics.”
Chloë: “A bit of everything really. Chris has recently graduated, so we talked a lot about university. But a bit of everything from more general interests to family and politics.”

What was the atmosphere like?
Christian: “For me, personally, it was pretty relaxed, but I went into the situation with the mentality that it was never going to be awkward or weird. I think a key aspect of the evening was starting from square one and finding more out about each other knowing very little beforehand.”
Chloë: “The Stable was a good location, as it’s quite busy and laid back. I think I’d be a bit tentative about meeting someone in a more formal setting. We were sat at this really huge table however, there was room for probably another eight people, so in some respects it was a bit like an estranged couple sitting down to dinner.”

Any moments when you wished you were somewhere else?
Christian: “Not really, however come 9pm I sort of wished I was in bed, turns out I can’t hack the twilight hours as well as I could a year ago when I was at Uni.”
Chloë: “No, not really.”

What would you say is the best characteristic of your date?
Christian: “She has her own strong opinions and stands up for what she believes in which is something I respect a lot, giving that a lot of people choose to stay on the fence about certain topics of conversation – which wasn’t the case on the date.”
Chloë: “Chris was really chatty and asked a lot of interesting questions, which was really nice as you always worry before a date that you might end up with someone really quiet and end up pushing the conversation. But in terms of best characteristic he came across as really accepting. He mentioned that generally he likes to hear people’s views on things and consider them rather than running in with a judgment, and that’s a really nice trait to have.”

What do you think your date made of you?
Christian: “I’m hoping that it was all good things! I don’t think I crossed any boundaries so I’m hoping it wasn’t a complete train wreck!”
Chloë: “Probably that I’m a bit of a mess, as I have very long hair and kept ending up with crumbs in it!”

Is there anything you would change about the evening?
Christian: “If the evening was on a different date, say a Friday, I’d have definitely ordered more drinks just to probably lighten the mood a little bit more or potentially prepare for a club night afterwards. Other than that from a personal standpoint I wouldn’t change anything, I had a fun time regardless.”
Chloë: “Nothing I can think of.”

Did you go somewhere else after your meal?
Christian: “No, sadly working at 7am every morning has limited to me to getting to bed at around 10pm, so I went straight home afterwards.”
Chloë: “No – it was a school night after all, I think we were both a bit knackered.”

Were there any sparks of potential?
Christian: “Going into the date I just wanted to get out and talk to someone new to be honest.”
Chloë: “I didn’t feel like there was romantic chemistry. I think our interests are quite divergent, and whilst I had a nice time, I think I tend to connect better with those who share more of the same interests.”

Will you meet again?
Christian: “I’m not too sure, I don’t think so. Not to say I didn’t have fun, I’d definitely like to have an experience like this one again.”
Chloë: “I don’t envisage a second date, but we have friends in common so maybe we’ll bump into each other on a night out.”

If you would like to take part in one of our blind dates, then please email meena@bristol247.com. You will have your meal and drinks taken care of, leaving you to concentrate on the chemistry of love.

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