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Blind date: ‘I thought she looked like Emma Watson’

<span>Photograph: Alicia Canter/The Guardian</span>
Photograph: Alicia Canter/The Guardian

Kate on Maz

What were you hoping for?
A lovely evening, or a funny anecdote.

First impressions?
I arrived just as he was having his picture taken, so we exchanged an awkward hello and did a Covid-distanced shuffle to let each other pass. Once at the table, he seemed friendly and excited.

What did you talk about?
How we both should start playing music again, his favourite clubs, being show-offs, how friendly northerners scare him, and prisons. Also, the classic chips and curry sauce debate (he falls on the wrong side for this one).

Any awkward moments?
He kept saying I was a booze influencer, which made me cringe.

Good table manners?
Great!

Best thing about Maz?
He was really comfortable and confident.

Would you introduce him to your friends?
Yeah, he’s very easygoing and seems like he’d get on with anyone.

Describe Maz in three words
Talkative, open, smart.

What do you think he made of you?
Probably a bit mad and flustered (the District line made me late).

Did you go on somewhere?
I reckon we had one last drink in us, but the double whammy of curfew and weekday left us parting ways at the tube.

If it weren’t for social distancing, would you have kissed?
We had a lovely time and the chat flowed, but I didn’t feel a romantic spark.

If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
As we were saying goodbye, my tube was on the platform so I dashed for it, then missed it and stood there like a lemon. Great work, Kate.

Marks out of 10?
7.

Would you meet again?
As friends, yeah!

Maz on Kate

What were you hoping for?
Someone interesting and attractive, with lots of chemistry. And amazing food and drinks (thanks, Guardian).

First impressions?
Such an interesting look – attractive, and I thought she kind of looked like Emma Watson.

What did you talk about?
Lots. The music we’re into and how we miss going to gigs, and how good the food was…

Any awkward moments?
When we left and didn’t exchange numbers: that wasn’t exactly great date vibes.

Good table manners?
Perfect.

Best thing about Kate?
She’s passionate about her interests – she was really into Ronnie Scott’s and doing something about inequality.

Would you introduce her to your friends?
Sure.

Describe Kate in three words
Insightful, thoughtful, empathic.

What do you think she made of you?
I think she thought we were quite different.

Did you go on somewhere?
Nope, the spark wasn’t there, unfortunately.

If it weren’t for social distancing, would you have kissed?
Nah.

Related: Blind date: 'Things got a bit spicy around the main course'

If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
She knows about cocktails, so I asked her to give me a suggestion, but in the end she didn’t pick one.

Marks out of 10?
The date was a 7: she’s a lovely person.

Would you meet again?
Not for a date. It was nice, but the chemistry wasn’t there. I’m sure she’d say the same.

• Maz and Kate ate at Zuaya, London W8, before lockdown 2. They were photographed separately for this image. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com.