In this week’s blind date, The NY Times paired Sophie, 28, a community manager working in tech, with Jack, 26, a manager at a food delivery startup. The duo were set up for a night of conversation, connection, and perhaps even romance—but would chemistry follow?
Sophie on Jack
Expectations:
Sophie came into the evening with optimism, hoping her date would be charmed enough to describe their meeting as “love at first sight.” At the very least, she was aiming for some good laughs.
First Impressions:
Jack made a warm start, greeting her with a hug and a big smile. “Very charming and happy,” Sophie recalled, noting his upbeat energy right away.
Topics of Conversation:
The pair dove into wide-ranging topics including the country of Georgia, their mutual background in product design, hypothetical dream sports if jobs weren’t a factor, and Sophie’s deep affection for her home county of Herefordshire. She even floated the idea of framing the article from their date—a suggestion Jack took in stride.
Awkward Moments:
When Jack mistakenly referred to Herefordshire as Hertfordshire, Sophie graciously let it pass, though she admits she “cried on the inside.” Later, she proposed taking a selfie with pig-nose faces against the window, which may have caught Jack off guard.
Table Manners:
Impeccable—Jack managed to eat and drink without so much as a drop on his pristine white T-shirt.
Overall Impression:
Sophie found Jack inquisitive, fun, and driven. “He’s excellent at asking questions and being engaging,” she said. Although the romantic spark was missing for her, she added, “I’d happily be best friends with him.”
Would She Meet Him Again?
As a friend, absolutely. “Jack was lovely and I had a brilliant evening, but there wasn’t anything there for me romantically.”
Sophie’s Rating:
8 out of 10.
Jack on Sophie
Expectations:
Jack came in hoping for “a fun date with chemistry and good craic”—and ideally, nothing too embarrassing to be printed in a national paper.
First Impressions:
Despite being directed to the wrong restaurant, Sophie arrived promptly, leaving Jack impressed with her calm and collected demeanor.
Topics of Conversation:
Their chat was full of surprises, from Sophie’s reality TV stints to her transformative trip to Georgia. Jack was struck by how much they had in common.
Awkward Moments:
Jack found Sophie’s suggestion to frame their date photo and hang it in her family home slightly surreal—though endearingly quirky.
Table Manners:
Flawless with a touch of humility—Jack was grateful to the waiter for the fork guidance.
Overall Impression:
Jack described Sophie as “a professional yapper” with an endless stream of engaging stories and questions. “We chatted for over three hours and barely scratched the surface,” he said.
Would He Introduce Her to Friends?
“Absolutely,” he said, adding, “She’s the type of person who makes time fly by.”
Would He Meet Her Again?
Yes, though more likely as a friend. “It felt more like a friend-date than a date-date,” Jack admitted.
Jack’s Rating:
8 out of 10.
Final Verdict
Though sparks didn’t fly, both Sophie and Jack enjoyed a delightful evening filled with laughter, deep conversation, and shared curiosity. While romance wasn’t in the cards, a lasting friendship may well be.
