There was no chemistry, no connection and no laughter. I can’t be his therapist’: Read Sylvie’s brutal verdict on her Blind Date with Chris, the faux pas that turned her off – and why he was completely oblivious
Every week, Femail asks two singles to report back after their blind date.
This week it was Sylvie and Chris’ turn to see if they were a match.
Here’s what happened:
Sylvie, 57
Are you dating the past?
I left my husband after 30 years together because I felt he was too intense to live with. We’re friends now though. I had to stop working 18 months ago due to a frozen shoulder, so I focused on healing myself rather than finding love again.
Pre-date nerves?
No, I like adventure. I spent three and a half weeks alone in Fiji last month and applied for this appointment from the beach. I promised myself another glass of wine if we couldn’t agree.
First impressions?
Chris made a good impression; He stood up to shake hands and was wearing neat chinos and a smart shirt. He was thin, a little taller than me, and had neat hair (some men didn’t). I had spent a small fortune on my outfit; my matching shoes and bag cost over £300. But I’m worth it! I didn’t get any compliments from Chris, but I didn’t pay him anything either.
Is it easy to talk?
No, Chris was shy so I led the conversation. I learned that he was a semi-professional football player and played a lot of ice hockey. He has an 18-year-old daughter who talks like a classic teenager and doesn’t share much with her father. Chris didn’t seem interested in my trip to Fiji.
Embarrassing moments?
Only our scallops ended up on a strange looking bed of seaweed and I tried to eat it (Chris also took a bite). We concluded that this was just for decoration purposes.
Did sparks fly?
There was no chemistry, no connection and no laughter. Even though we had a very nice meal, there was not the slightest flirtation on either side of the table. I’m relieved he didn’t ask for my number because I know how to say no these days. It could have been weird.
Have you seen him again?
No, we don’t have much in common and I’m more adventurous and cheerful than Chris. I would be a bit of a therapist for him and I’m over that now. This is a role I have played many times in my relationships.
What are you thinking Did he think of you?
Chris is a closed book so I have no idea. He didn’t seem to be interested in my life either. There were absolutely no follow-up questions when I said I had stopped working as an intuitive masseuse and gong therapist due to a frozen shoulder injury.
Would your family like him?
No, but not in a bad way. They were worried that he wasn’t even remotely interested in what kind of woman I was.
Chris, 50
Are you dating the past?
I’ve never been married either, and I’ve never even gotten to the point of proposing. However, I am not against marriage. I’ve had three long-term relationships, the longest lasting just under three years. My daughter is both hot and cold about me settling down. I have used the apps but am not currently on any of them.
Pre-date nerves?
Yes, the thought of meeting a stranger gave me the excitement of a first date.
First impressions?
I stood up and gave Sylvie a friendly smile and a handshake when she arrived. She has an attractive smiling face and a shapely figure. I told him how great he looked.
Is it easy to talk?
Yes, but I did most of the talking. Sylvie asked many questions about my life; He wanted to know about my career, my parents, and the family I had. He then proceeded to ask more questions about whether I was a traveler or not. Sylvie no longer works and is focused on the holidays. He seems quite comfortable in his retirement status. I explained that I went to the USA, Europe and Egypt.
Embarrassing moments?
There was no faux pas from my side of the table. Sylvie insisted on asking the waiter if the plates of scallops were original seashells, but they were not. They are washed and reused for each entrée. Knowing this tickled him.
Did sparks fly?
A little bit. We made a fair amount of eye contact and there were a few occasions where we moved closer to each other to catch what the other person was saying. There were even some physical gestures when one of us wanted to emphasize a point. It was a beautiful, heartfelt conversation between us, and even though we were in a crowded restaurant, we weren’t distracted by others.
Have you seen him again?
Yes I would because Sylvie has a zest for life and a sparkling personality. We didn’t hug or kiss goodbye because we were on the train and that would be awkward in front of other passengers.
What are you thinking Did he think of you?
I suspect he could tell I was nervous at first. But I quickly lost those feelings and continued having a nice conversation with him, even making him laugh. I don’t remember any jokes I told, but he got a lot of giggles.
Would your family like him?
Yes. Sylvie is friendly, a good listener, and has a warm spirit.
Interviews by Samantha Brick
