The premise of Blind Date
Every Saturday, our dating column pairs two strangers for an evening of dinner and drinks. The goal isn’t just to chart compatibility, but to reveal the small, human moments that make dating feel real: the awkward pause, the shared joke, the nerves before a first kiss. This week’s installment, “Did we kiss? It’s the flu season,” leans into a timely twist—when outside germs and inside chemistry collide.
Meet the pair
Two strangers, invited purely by the luck of the draw, sit down at a warmly lit table with no scripts and no safety nets beyond their authentic selves. They speak in plain language about what drew them to print or digital dating profiles, what they’re hoping to learn, and what they’d like to avoid. The goal isn’t to force a romance, but to create a moment where honesty feels as easy as a glass of water after a long day.
The questions that guide the night
Our standard battery of questions often surfaces in this week’s edition: What do you value in a date? Have you ever learned something surprising about yourself on a blind date? If a spark doesn’t happen tonight, what would you like to take away from the experience? The additional seasonal twist—how do you navigate dating during flu season—brings a playful, practical layer: are you more inclined to lean in or play it cool when you’re not feeling your best?
What the “flu season” angle reveals
Flu season isn’t just a public health concern; it’s a mirror for dating. Do we show up with our best faces on or with a little extra vulnerability? The column captures this tension: a shared joke about sniffles, a candid admission about canceled plans, or a quiet moment when one dater decides to order tea instead of wine to stay sharp. The season becomes a test of presence—can both people stay engaged even when they’re less than 100%?
First impressions and the post-date verdict
As the evening winds down, our dater—who is both reviewer and participant—offers a candid verdict. Was the chemistry worth a second date? If a kiss happened, how did it feel in the moment? If not, what felt real and what felt off? The beauty of Blind Date lies in its transparency: readers get to witness a real exchange, with all the imperfect but genuine steps that lead to a conclusion, not just a glossy finish.
What readers take away
This week’s story isn’t just about whether two strangers kissed or not. It’s about how people show up when the world feels a little chilly outside. It’s about listening deeply, reading cues, and deciding what truth you’re willing to share at a table for two. Our readers walk away with a few ideas: bring your full self to the date, acknowledge when you’re vulnerable, and don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation to bridge a chilly night.
Behind the scenes: the date, photographed
Before the date, we take a portrait of each dater, capturing their anticipation and personality in a simple, honest frame. Inside the restaurant, the photographer’s lens focuses on natural lighting, honest expressions, and the small, telling gestures that reveal character. The result is not a glossy advertisement but a real-window view into how strangers become a story, even if only for a night.
Why readers keep coming back
So much of dating journalism tends toward the sensational. Blind Date aims for something warmer and more instructive: a look at how two people negotiate attraction, boundaries, and timing in an ordinary evening. The flu season twist adds humor and relatability, reminding us that dating is as much about resilience as romance.
