Sajeda on Fred
What were you hoping for?
To meet someone to do fun things with. I was diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2022 and have since recovered, so now I want to have fun and make the most of life. I wake up singing and dancing most mornings.
First impressions?
Personable! He looked very relaxed.
What did you talk about?
We are both talkers – Fred won, as I had a bad cold. He knows how to tell stories. We both like walking holidays and jazz. He also does voluntary work, which is a plus.
Most awkward moment?
None. We were both relaxed.
Good table manners?
Perfect.
Best thing about Fred?
Charming, and he ordered my favourite wine, French Pinot Noir.
Would you introduce Fred to your friends?
Yes, in time.
Q&AFancy 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 Fred in three words.
Charming, kind and fun.
What do you think Fred made of you?
I think he liked me.
Did you go on somewhere?
No.
And … did you kiss?
No. We said goodbye on a crowded Victoria line train. I had a fever and was exhausted, but we met eyes and squeezed each other’s hands. It felt intimate.
If you could change one thing about the date what would it be?
Nothing, apart from not being well. I could not be my fun self. I was wiped out and had to go to sleep at 5pm. I had also been in bed for the past few days and had lost my voice.
Marks out of 10?
9.
Would you meet again?
Yes.
Fred on Sajeda
What were you hoping for?
To find a soul sister.
First impressions?
She had the most lovely countenance and a presence that immediately set me at ease.
What did you talk about?
The spice of life, and how we got there.
Most awkward moment?
Walking out of the restaurant without paying.
Good table manners?
Didn’t even notice, nor look at them.
Best thing about Sajeda?
She had a most attentive demeanour, and seemed to share many of my passions for jazz, and art. And she thought I was 10 years younger than I am!
Would you introduce Sajeda to your friends?
She would fit in with most of my friends.
Describe Sajeda in three words.
Lovely-hearted person.
What do you think Sajeda made of you?
Full of yak, yarns and philosophy.
Did you go on somewhere?
To Vauxhall tube station.
And … did you kiss?
Not even a luvvy peck on the cheeks – probably because we both had colds. But we did hold each other’s hands.
If you could change one thing about the date, what would it be?
The winter snivels we both had.
Marks out of 10?
9.
Would you meet again?
Probably. I mentioned a pub in Camden that is reopening in mid-March, and where I’ll be returning to play with some musician friends (the Ronnie Gordon Legacy band), and she said she’d like to come down to that.
Sajeda and Fred ate at Brunswick House, London SW8. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com