Blind date: Mike and Ailsa at Chargal

Mike went hoping for good conversation with someone interesting; Ailsa wanted some good craic and a free dinner. She arrived smiling and warm, full of energy, and they met at Chargal, London W1.

Conversation ranged from family and work to travel, culture and live music — Ailsa is passionate about gigs while Mike shared his brother’s theory that all indie music sounds like it belongs on The Inbetweeners. Awkward moments included lulls in talk and, for Ailsa, when Mike mentioned his family had organised the whole date; he noted the dips in the conversation too.

Both praised the other’s table manners. They didn’t go on afterwards and there was no kiss; Mike rated the evening 7 out of 10, Ailsa 8. She said she would introduce Mike to her friends, while he felt they moved in different orbits.

In three words they summed each other up: Ailsa was energetic, positive and independent; Mike was amiable, funny and polite. Neither felt a strong connection and neither was sure about meeting again.

blind date, mike, ailsa, chargal, london w1, conversation, live music, indie music, the inbetweeners, table manners