Rosty SorokaIt’s a normal Friday night of deep web stalking your crush…
You uncover a misogynistic Facebook post from 2015. Your glass of Malbec suddenly tastes sour. Undateable. Dating in 2018 has made it painfully obvious that it’s easy to know too much about your crush. They’re cute, but they just posted about being “really into cinema” after seeing two Wes Anderson movies and you’re just not ready to deal with it. University students look back to a time when disappointment was inevitable but delayed by technological inadequacy — when mild shittiness was expected. The Gateway matched up John and Gabrielle on a blind date to see what untainted romance used to be like in the pre-Facebook stalking era.
Name: John Evjen
What were you hoping for?
I love meeting people. I wanted to be challenged. I wanted to learn about myself.
Your first impression?
When she first walked in, I was quite surprised to meet someone so sophisticated and artistically gifted.
What did you talk about?
First, we discussed art. She is an artist; I am in no way gifted with my hands in making physical objects. Then we moved to matters of study and of travel. We ended the evening by discussing idioms and the art of conversation.
What do you think they thought of you?
Certainly she felt I was intelligent and educated but I could tell she did not find me very engaging.
Describe the other person in three words?
Painting in motion.
The most awkward moment?
I don’t think any of the conversation was awkward.
The perception of “dates” is that one is supposed to be totally engaged and that it is meant to be singular and isolated. The social pressures were strong, let’s say.
Did you kiss?
No.
Rate your experience out of 10?
Nine — the only reason it is not 10 is because I perceived she was not comfortable.
Would you meet with your date again?
Oh yeah! She was totally fascinating, and I really want to look at her paintings. I love art.
Name: Gabrielle Lussier
What were you hoping for from this date?
Honestly I answered the blind date questionnaire without giving it too much thought. I was in it for the experience so I had no expectations. I was pleasantly surprised.
Your first impression?
John was very intelligent, and someone who chooses their words very carefully and thoughtfully.
What did you talk about?
Normally when you go out with someone, there is a common interest that connects the two of you, and so there is something to fall back on that you can talk about. With a blind date, there is a lot of investigation and discovery that needs to happen in order to find those connections, and I think we were pretty successful. We talked about school, hobbies, research we were both interested in, and travel.
What do you think they thought of you?
Hopefully that I was funny, and a good conversationalist.
Describe the other person in three words?
Intelligent, confident, and thoughtful.
The most awkward moment?
When I forgot his name immediately after him telling me.
Did you kiss?
Nope.
Rate your experience out of 10?
8/10 would recommend to a friend.
Would you meet with your date again?
Potentially! Stranger things have happened.
