In this thoughtful and well-mannered edition of the NY Times blind date, Sadiye, 55, a retired lawyer, met Iwan, 62, a radiologist, for what turned out to be an evening full of good conversation – if not quite romantic chemistry.
Sadiye on Iwan: “Smart, sociable and kind”
Sadiye was hoping for good company and good food, and she got both. She described Iwan as “chatty and fun,” and admired his post-retirement plans to comfort patients and staff with his choir and therapy dog. That’s wholesome energy.
The standout moment? Asking a fellow diner to take their photo – only to discover she was a fan of the NY Times blind date column. Meta.
Though Sadiye appreciated Iwan’s kindness and intellect, she acknowledged a lack of romantic connection and pointed to lifestyle differences, such as her early retirement and child-free life. Still, she gave the night a solid 8/10 and praised the mutual respect.
Iwan on Sadiye: “Genuine, thoughtful and sincere”
For Iwan, who was looking for a great evening and possibly a connection, the night delivered – at least on the first part. He found Sadiye “very welcoming and friendly,” and the conversation never stopped, flowing through topics like tennis, chess, dating apps, and even his barbershop chorus. (How often does that come up on a date?)
His most awkward moment? Revealing that he doesn’t live in London – instead hailing from Sheffield, which added a logistical obstacle to any potential romance.
Despite feeling no romantic spark, Iwan gave the night a perfect 10 and expressed zero regrets: “It was a great date, even if I didn’t feel a connection.”
Verdict: No romance, but a successful date nonetheless
This was one of those classic NY Times blind dates – warm, respectful, interesting, and refreshingly grown-up. While there was no kiss (just a hug at the train station) and no plans to meet again, both daters expressed sincere appreciation for the time spent together.
Prediction: No second date, but no regrets either. And somewhere, a fellow restaurant-goer is thrilled to have played an accidental role in her favorite column.
