Ella, 20, a student, and John, 25, a civil servant, met for a Saturday afternoon blind date. While both arrived with curiosity and open minds, it quickly became clear that they were on slightly different wavelengths.
Ella on John
Ella’s hopes were modest: “Something interesting to do on a Saturday afternoon.” The beginning was slightly awkward – the pair had been seated separately and had to locate each other. John seemed enthusiastic, if a little nervous.
Conversation, at least, flowed well. They bonded briefly over Challengers, dissecting Zendaya’s rise from KC Undercover to indie-film darling. “John was good at holding a conversation,” Ella said. “He always expanded on a story and asked follow-up questions.”
But there were some awkward moments. “He asked me to send him the selfie we had to take,” she said. “I suggested AirDrop – he asked for my phone number instead.” The moment that lingered most? “When he gave the manager feedback on the food I ate – on my behalf.”
Table manners were “perfectly good,” though John did “substantially over-order.” While Ella appreciated his friendliness, she felt their lives were on different tracks. “He’s 25, I’m 20 – we’re in different stages. I don’t think he’d be compatible with my friends.”
Final verdict? “6 out of 10 for a date. 7 for the experience. We didn’t have a great deal in common.”
John on Ella
John entered the date looking for “a meaningful connection – or to make a new friend.” He was seated at a different table initially, but once united with Ella, his first impression was of someone with “a lovely smile” and an intelligent calmness.
The conversation was wide-ranging: chilli recipes, regional culture clashes between London, Cambridge and Manchester, and even the Brownie promise, which Ella kindly explained. “Her subtle wit and love of learning stood out,” he said.
But the afternoon had a few odd moments – namely an edible beef fat candle with the bread (“We were taken aback”) and the initial seating confusion.
Despite the fact that Ella had to dash off to meet a friend post-lunch, John was upbeat. “Marking a person out of 10 feels reductive,” he said diplomatically. “But if I must – a 7.” While John didn’t pick up on any clear romantic spark, he thought the ambience might have helped: “If it had been an evening date, maybe it would have felt different.”
Final Verdict:
Ella and John shared an enjoyable but spark-free lunch. While both were polite and curious, their age difference and subtle mismatch in energy meant the date stayed firmly in the “pleasant” category.
They may not have found romance, but they walked away with good conversation, a shared selfie, and an unforgettable encounter with a beef fat candle.
