In the latest instalment of the Guardian's Blind Date column, David, 34, a children's doctor, and Dec, 31, a culture and sex writer, met for dinner and drinks at Barrafina Drury Lane in London WC2. The pair shared their honest assessments, with David scoring the evening an 8 out of 10 and Dec a 6 out of 10, and both agreed the chemistry was more friendly than romantic.
First impressions and conversation
Dec said he was hoping for "a sweet-hearted madman who would make me belly laugh," and his first impression of David was that he "looked like a David. A bit nervous and jittery, but considerate, curious and chatty (all the best C-words)." Their conversation covered people in cars shouting "ginge" at David, their shared West Country roots (though only Dec sounds like it), and Dec's admission that he doesn't like "Clapham gays" – with the twist that David lives there.
David, meanwhile, was hoping for "someone who put me at ease, asked me questions and made me want to text my friends about him in the toilet." His first impression of Dec was "definitely a main character. Handsome, potty-mouthed, charming and equally clueless about tapas." Their talk ranged from Dec's love of swearing to coming out.
Memorable moments and table manners
Dec's most awkward moment came when he tried on David's stethoscope, pretending to listen for a heartbeat from the chicken. David's awkward moment was realising he had a child's blood on his trousers. Both praised each other's table manners, with Dec calling them "sound as a pound" and David "impeccable."
Dec highlighted David's best trait as "his passion for his profession" and his eagerness to ask, listen, and hear. David admired Dec's freedom and ease in himself, saying "he made me feel I could be too," and predicted his autobiography would be a bestseller.
Ratings and future plans
Dec scored the evening 6 out of 10, explaining, "He's a cracking bloke and rocks a floral shirt better than anyone I know. It's a 6 not a 7 because I don't like fish or salad; he kindly ordered me both." David gave an 8, noting they sat side-by-side at the bar, which he found "weird for a first date," and that Dec got his right side, "which is definitely less good."
Both agreed the connection was more friendly than romantic. Dec said, "We're not each other's 'spark', but had a good evening," and they swapped numbers. David echoed, "We agreed the chemistry felt more friendly than romantic, but I'd love to stay in touch." The date ended with a polite peck on the cheek for Dec and a quick peck at the station for David, with no second location as the kitchen was closing and David had to work in the morning.
