Ken, 60, sales director
Fashion Beauty
Space Family
Body & mind PuzzlesWhat were you hoping for?
A great conversation with a view
to possibilities.
First impressions?
Shelley seemed confi dent, friendly
and relaxed.
What did you talk about?
Spain, where Shelley has a house ;
European culture; swimming, which
we both enjoy.
Any awkward moments?
I mentioned performing stand up
comedy as a hobby. “Tell me a joke,”
Shelley asked. T he best I could come
up with was, “One of my favourite
fi lms is Groundhog Day – I could
watch that over and over again.”
My attempt to recover failed when
I explained it was the only joke I
could think of that wasn’t about my
disastrous relationships.
Good table manners?
Very much so.
How long did you stay on the call?
We had a great rapport; our two
hours passed quickly. I never once
attempted to check the score of the
Spurs v Liverpool match.
Best thing about Shelley?
Great energy, positive and engaging.
DAVID LEVENE/THE GUARDIAN (2)She knows what she wants out of life.
Blind date
We ekend i n g
Shelley, 63, Spanish interpreter
What were you hoping for?
A stimulating lockdown
conversation with someone
diff erent.
First impressions?
Well presented, just as I would
expect from a European
s ales d irector.
What did you talk about?
The lockdown and its impact on us,
family, work, our travel experiences,
food, hobbies, previous marriages.
Any awkward moments?
Only slightly at the beginning, when
we both confessed we were a bit
nervous. A glass of wine helped
with that!
Good table manners?
Yes.
How long did you stay on the call?
Two hours.
Best thing about Ken?
Very easy to talk to and outgoing.
Would you introduce him to
your friends?
Yes, no problem. I think he would
hold his own.
Describe Ken in three words?
Sensitive, adventurous, on the brink
of something new?Would you introduce her to
your friends?
Yes, and to my grown -up kids. They
would all give a big thumbs up.
Describe Shelley in three words?
Attractive, charming, energetic.
What do you think she made of you?
She probably thought I was the most
handsome, charming, funny and
intelligent man she’d ever met. I’m
glad I never got round to mentioning
my passion for building A irfi x kits.
Any connection issues?
No, I paid my internet provider’s bill
this month.
And... did you swap numbers?
We did.
How did the call end?
When my teenage son texted me
“what’s for dinner?” , a relatively
long conversation for him.
If you could change one thing about
the evening, what would it be?
Meeting in person would have
been awesome.
Marks out of 10?- That’s top marks from me, I never
give 10 to anything.
Would you meet again?
Defi nitely.
What do you think he made of you?
That I’d had an interesting life, was
inquisitive and (hopefully) fun to
be with.
Any connection issues?
Occasionally Ken would freeze
and then the screen would
disappear for a while, but he
always came back.
And... did you swap numbers?
Yes.
How did the call end?
Ken had to make some food
for his youngest son who was
coming to stay, so I suggested we
swap numbers and carry on at a
later date.
If you could change one thing about
the evening, what would it be?
Nothing, really. Two hours for
our fi rst conversation was just
about right.
Marks out of 10?
A solid 8.
Would you meet again?
Yes, I would.Fancy a blind date? Email
[email protected].A glass of
wine helped with
the nervesI never
once attempted
to check the
football scores