Blind date: ‘He strongly believed in the fact that we have a second, pudding stomach’

Richard on Rosa

What were you hoping for? Good food with good company and a let’s see where things go from here.

First impressions? She had warm, friendly vibes that put me at ease.

What did you talk about? How great Mexico is. Living abroad. Migration. Languages. Singing in choirs. Working with people and communities. Tiramisu.

Most awkward moment?
The restaurant told us they were expecting a Jack and Sophie from the Guardian. (Good luck to Jack and Sophie if you’re out there!)

Good table manners?
Perfect.

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

Best thing about Rosa?
She cares about people and is very easy-going.

Would you introduce Rosa to your friends?
Yes, she’d get on with any of them. Although she didn’t seem keen on travelling to south London, so I’m not sure their paths would cross.

Describe Rosa in three words.
Engaging, thoughtful, fun.

What do you think Rosa made of you?
That I’m quite chatty and have a range of random interests (not sure how well my passion for knitting went down), and probably that I made a poor effort on my main course (although obviously had room for dessert).

Did you go on somewhere?
We went to a nice pub down the road for a drink.

And … did you kiss?
I wouldn’t usually kiss on a first date anyway – but it didn’t feel like a “kiss” moment.

If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
I’ve never had a sit-down meal on a first date, so that made me feel a bit awkward – but the food was lovely.

Marks out of 10?
8. Although there wasn’t a romantic connection, Rosa seems a great person.

Would you meet again?
I’d be up for it, but maybe as friends.

Rosa on Richard

What were you hoping for?
A fun, different evening and maybe to meet “the one”. Otherwise, a great story.

First impressions?
Surprisingly slick, considering he’d just cycled across half of London to get there.

What did you talk about?
Politics. Cycling. Growing our own vegetables. Our hatred of landlords.

Most awkward moment?
The waiter thought our names were Jack and Sophie and introduced us to each other.

Good table manners?
Impeccable. He was also a strong believer in the fact that we have a second “pudding stomach”.

Best thing about Richard?
A breath of fresh air and very unpretentious.

Would you introduce Richard to your friends?
In a heartbeat – he would get on with all of them.

Describe Richard in three words.
Chatty, open-minded, at ease with himself.

What do you think he made of you?
Smiley, dedicated and maybe that I need to get better at gardening.

Did you go on somewhere?
To the pub next door for a swift half, before I realised I had to make it home to pack for a wedding I was going to the next day.

And … did you kiss?
A side hug and a definitely (maybe) see you soon.

If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
The meal was at 8pm so I wish we’d met a little earlier.

Marks out of 10?
A solid 9.

Would you meet again?
We have exchanged numbers, but maybe just as friends. I felt like there wasn’t a romantic vibe.

Richard and Rosa ate at Rossella, London NW5. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com