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Every week, FEMAIL asks two singles to tell us about a blind date we have set up for them. He meets the romantic Joyce, 22, who has never had a boyfriend, and her date, Sankalp, 24, who has been single for six months.
Read on to find out if they wanted to see each other again after their date or if they decided they would just be good friends…
Joyce, 22 years old
Very single, I never had a boyfriend.
Past dates?
My dates usually end terribly because men are only looking for one thing. I want romance and I don’t want to be rushed.
Pre-date nerves?
Before I was going crazy. It’s a Cinderella moment for a woman, right? Will my partner be my prince? Also, I’m 5’9″ and will only date men taller than 6′. Even though my date said he was 6 feet tall, men lie in their profiles.
Joyce, 22, felt rejected when Sankalp messaged her the day after their blind date to say he wasn’t interested in a serious relationship at the moment.
First impressions?
When he arrived, there was no hug or kiss, just a formal ‘hello’. Sankalp looked gorgeous in a navy blue shirt and it was obvious he had cut his hair. I liked that he had made an effort. I convinced him to congratulate me by mentioning how much makeup I had to wear for the photo shoot. Bingo! He told me I looked beautiful.
Is he easy to talk to?
Yes, I talked about my career goals and asked Sankalp about his. He wasn’t as clear about his career direction as I was, so I felt like I had to guide him a little. It was a little unappealing to see this side of him. I felt like I was talking to a student. As for food, Sankalp ordered two main dishes (meat pie and fish and chips) and ate them all.
He thought I was trying to follow him to the men’s room.
Embarrassing moments?
Yes, he told me he was 6 feet tall but it was clear he is much taller. I would say 6 feet 5 inches. It makes no sense for a man to lie by reducing his height. Also, we went to a museum after our date and Sankalp needed to go to the bathroom on the way, so he ducked into a fast food restaurant. I followed him inside, just to see if there was somewhere to charge my phone, and he firmly told me to wait at the men’s door. To be clear, I wasn’t following him to the bathrooms.
Did sparks fly?
Yes, but not in a romantic way. There was no sexual tension or chemistry. But of course, I don’t welcome men, I like them to be the ones to take the first step. You don’t want to seem desperate, do you?
I went to hug him goodbye but Sankalp shook my hand.
Joyce says: ‘I convinced Sankalp to compliment me by mentioning how much makeup I had to wear for the photo shoot. Bingo! He told me I looked gorgeous.’
See it again?
I would love to, but I won’t because he messaged me the next day to tell me he’s not interested in a serious relationship at the moment. I won’t criticize him for that, although it hurt my feelings. I felt rejected.
What do you think he thought of you?
Sankalp told me that I am charming and he liked that I am bold and charisma. I wonder if I put too much effort into his career path. I was a little too Lair of Dragons.
Would your friends like it?
He is a calm and calm person. My social circle is more vibrant but they would get used to it.
Sankalp, 24
Single for six months, without children.
Past dates?
I’ve been in a serious relationship, but when I moved to London to do my degrees, it was clear it was going to be hard work to maintain. We broke up six months ago. Since then, I have stopped dating to take care of myself. I would never approach a woman in real life for fear of being taken the wrong way.
Sankalp, 24, said everything was fine, apart from the fact that Joyce did most of the talking.
Pre-date nerves?
I wasn’t going crazy. Rather, I had good nerves, since a blind date seemed like an interesting idea to me. My friends have tried to match me with no success, so this seemed like a better option.
First impressions?
Joyce is an incredibly amazing woman. We shook hands but she didn’t get up from the table, saying she was tired. I told him he looked very elegant.
I don’t remember if he paid me a compliment.
She questioned me about how I was going to set up my business.
Is he easy to talk to?
Yes, Joyce took control of the conversation. Now that I graduated I want to start a hospitality business and she questioned me about the steps I was going to take to get there.
He told me about the parallel businesses he runs: one in property and the other in jewelry. I was inspired by Joyce and her desire to earn more in life.
Embarrassing moments?
No, everything was fine. Aside from the fact that Joyce did the most talking.
Did sparks fly?
No, I’m afraid not. Physically she is an attractive and confident woman and I complimented her on her appearance. But from my perspective, we’re not flirting. I think we became friends with each other as the date progressed.
See her again?
Not in a romantic sense but as friends or co-workers, so yes. We do talk about the possibility of collaborating on a business idea. I had deleted my Instagram account but had to download it again because Joyce wanted us to follow each other.
‘We don’t flirt. “I think we became friends with each other as the date went on,” Sankalp says of his date with Joyce.
What do you think she thought of you?
At the end of the date, he announced that I am a cool, self-aware and confident kind of person. I’ll stick with that.
Would your friends like it?
First of all? No, they wouldn’t. That’s only because Joyce is very bold and self-assured. He likes to guide people to see how to get the best out of their lives. But not everyone wants to change.
JOYCE VERDICT: 5/10
APPRECIATED? The daiquiri.
REGRETS? Making the date too career-focused.
COFFEE OR TAXI? Coffee.
SANKALP VERDICT: 6/10
APPRECIATED? I met a very enterprising person.
REGRETS? No.
COFFEE OR TAXI? Taxi.