The Guardian80%
Blind date: ‘Distance shouldn’t stand in the way of love … I did have to catch the last train home though’ 6%
By Guardian staff reporter41%
5/16/2026, 5:00:03 AM
Topics: Dating, Relationships
BS Summary: This article contains 22 faulty reasoning types, including Optimism Bias, Hasty Generalization, and Ambiguity (Equivocation), with Halo Effect as the most egregious example at 12.1% saturation with 62 hits. Analysis detected 465 faulty-reasoning hits from 512 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 21.7% and a BS Rank of 6% (15,920 of 16,813 articles). This article is better (less manipulative) than 94.70% of the article peer group.
Frances, 77, a retired marketing manager, meets Eddie, 86, an activist
Frances on Eddie
What were you hoping for?
A lovely evening with pleasant company.
First impressions?
Eddie looked much younger and fitter than I had expected.
He had bought me flowers and a thoughtful card which helped break the ice.
What did you talk about?
Politics.
His interest in animal rights and protests.
My interests in golf and volunteering.
Everything!
Most awkward moment?
None.
Good table manners?
Excellent.
Best thing about Eddie?
His openness to other views.
Although he has strong opinions on politics and animal rights, he was willing to accept different points of view.
He was very thoughtful, kind and caring.
Would you introduce Eddie to your friends?
I’m not sure many of them would have a lot in common.
Describe Eddie in three words
Political, fit and caring.
What do you think Eddie made of you?
I hope he thought I was OK, and with my heart in the right place.
Did you go on somewhere?
Only to the bus stop.
And … did you kiss?
Just a hug on arrival and departure.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
I don’t think I’d change anything.
Eddie was good company and the food and drink in the restaurant were excellent.
Marks out of 10?
A strong 8.
Would you meet again?
We exchanged numbers but the distance – he lives more than 100 miles away – might prove prohibitive.
We did talk about the possibility of a picnic together, though.
Eddie on Frances
What were you hoping for?
A femme fatale to make a better world.
Failing that, two strangers enjoying each other’s company over Italian food.
First impressions?
Smart, great appearance, an easy-to-be-with manner.
What did you talk about?
Does love make the world go round?
What are we looking for – how do we see the future when time is not on the table?
Good table manners?
With Italian gusto I knocked over a glass of red.
Frances kindly rearranged the table.
Best thing about Frances?
Straight, honest talker.
Good listener.
Would you introduce Frances to your friends?
No.
Frances is way too gentle for my activist friends.
Describe Frances in three words
Lovely caring nature.
Best thing about Frances?
An ambitious dreamer, sense of purpose, loads of good energy.
Did you go on somewhere?
I believe that distance shouldn’t stand in the way of love, so I met Frances even though she was in a different city.
I did have to catch the last train though …
And … did you kiss?
No.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
No change.
Marks out of 10?
10.
Would you meet again?
I feel we are at a different stage of our journeys, but we did exchange numbers.
Frances and Eddie ate at Vivo restaurant in Nottingham.
Fancy a blind date?
Email blind.date@theguardian.com
Analysis
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