In this NY Times blind date, Jordan, 23, a civil servant, met Frances, 24, a journalist, for what turned out to be a witty, low-stakes evening filled with easy chat, some shared chips, and no pressure for fireworks.
Jordan on Frances: “Warm, intelligent and funny”
Jordan entered the date with expectations of “free food and meeting someone interesting”, and sounds like he got both. Despite catching Frances accidentally walking into the wrong restaurant (and not telling her), he was charmed by her laugh, eyes, and flawless manners.
There was no kiss, and thanks to the wine (and perhaps the relaxed vibe), Jordan forgot to get her contact details. He gave the evening a solid 7.5/10 and said he would’ve been open to seeing where things went romantically — if he'd remembered to ask.
Frances on Jordan: “Funny, kind and easygoing”
Frances, meanwhile, came for the three-course meal and maybe the husband, and found Jordan lovely, considerate, and “a bit Paul Mescal-ish.” She appreciated his gentlemanly chip generosity and faultless table manners.
Their shared love of Lime bikes, naps, and older sibling stories made for an easy connection, though she admitted it felt like both were aware they’d be writing about each other, which took away from the spontaneity. She rated it 8/10, and suggested she’d meet him again — but probably just as friends.
Verdict: Spark-lite but thoroughly pleasant
Jordan and Frances clearly got on well, laughed plenty, and shared enough quirks to have made the evening smooth and entertaining. But the absence of contact detail swapping — and the lack of post-dinner plans or a kiss — suggests that romantic potential wasn't quite there.
Prediction: They’ll bump into each other at a NY Times-themed singles night, or possibly when one of Frances’s hot friends invites Jordan out.
And next time, maybe they'll skip the pre-date nap. Or maybe… that was the secret to their chill chemistry.
