Nelson, 41, who works in legal services, and Louise, 37, a marketing professional, met for a blind date at Mirtala in London W4. The pair, who described themselves as looking for great company and wonderful conversation, found common ground in their shared enthusiasm for culture and volunteering.
Shared passions and awkward greetings
Nelson’s first impression of Louise was that she was a sweet and sincere person with interesting hobbies. He noted her impeccable table manners and impressive taco-eating skills during the meal. The evening began with a slightly awkward moment when Nelson attempted to greet Louise with a friendly hug, only to find her seated and needing to stand up first.
Louise described Nelson as a gentleman who was very polite and laughed loudly, which she found endearing. She was particularly struck by his genuine interest in her hobbies and his passion for cultural events. “He’s a very interesting and interested person,” she said. “I liked that he shared my enthusiasm for all things cultural.”
The conversation covered a wide range of topics, from feeding monkeys at the London Zoo to their experiences with the worst theatre shows they had attended. They also discussed wooden toys and Nelson’s new startup. Louise mentioned that she and Nelson both make a point of seeing all the Oscar-nominated films every awards season, a shared habit that helped solidify their connection.
A memorable compliment and sensible night
As the date progressed, the pair discussed Nelson growing up in Singapore and their respective experiences in Singapore and Bali as the pandemic began to spread. They also talked about the musical Oliver!, which Louise described as perfect.
One of the most memorable moments for Louise came when Nelson offered a heartfelt compliment. “He said: ‘If heaven is real, you’ll definitely be going there’, which might be the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me,” she recalled. Nelson, for his part, found Louise’s dedication to her passions admirable and infectious.
Despite the strong connection, the evening remained sensible as it was a work night. They did not go on to another location, but they were the last to leave Mirtala on a Tuesday night. Nelson noted that he would not change anything about the date, describing it as very pleasant overall. Louise, however, wished they had ordered two of the incredible pineapple, lime, and cinnamon ice creams they shared.
When asked if they would meet again, Louise suggested they could meet as friends, perhaps at the cinema as Oscar season approaches. Nelson described Louise as an energetic and excellent conversationalist, while he hoped she saw him as an oddball with similar interests. The blind date, a long-running feature in The Guardian, continues to pair strangers for dinner and drinks, with participants answering a set of questions about their experience.
Source: The Guardian
