Match Me If You Can
Abi - St. Hilda's College 1st yr French and Philosophy
A quirky and adventurous type, Abi was persuaded to be the guinea pig for the first date of the term with the promise of two of her favourite things: free food and free alcohol. Her easygoing nature and ability to make friends wherever she goes will hopefully eliminate any awkward silences.
Aiden - Brasenose College 1st yr Law
There’s something of the gentleman about Aidan, who ranks among Brasenose’s most eligible bachelors – an amicable conversationalist, able to engage with his witty repartee and unique quasi-Celtic accent. Remaining in the college bar helped him keep his laid-back charms intact during the testing time of law mods and he has returned this term ready for the ‘laydeez’
Hugh - Brasenose College 1st yr Medicine
Hugh describes himself as the ‘uncool’ member of his family. Surely not? With Hugh came his 1970s-style safety specs (we say: commercialise them now, Gucci). Unconventionally funny and described as a bit of a ‘cheeky monkey’, Hugh is a reliably friendly face around college and an allround good guy.
The Decision -
Both boys were obviously keen to be chosen; Hugh said that he would suffer “six solid hours of weeping” if rejected, whilst Aidan commented that he was “quite hungry”. Abi found it difficult to choose which one of tonight’s lovely young gentlemen would have the pleasure of dining with her, but the odds landed in Aiden’s favour, scuppering Hugh’s chances.
For the first of the new, meaner Match Me dates, the evening began with a large quantity of free drinks at Thirst, where Aidan’s observation that “alcohol is a social lubricant” certainly proved true. The guys were certainly slightly unnerved by the strict instruction that they would be allowed just 30 minutes each to try to win Abi’s heart, but efforts to woo seemed promising. Up first was Aidan. “Abi seems very nice, a very pretty girl, pleasant and interesting”.
When asked what he would bring to the dinner-date he answered succinctly: “Myself”. When pressed he also confessed responsibility for “debonair charm and drunken conversation”. Hugh had a hard act to follow, but he gave it a good shot, commenting after his half-hour stint: “She was a good listener … very nice”. When asked if he would blind-date again, he commented decisively: “Yes. No. I don’t … Yes. No. Yes. No."
Once we had that sorted out, it was time to move on to the second half of the evening and find out which of our two lovely guys Abi wanted to get to know better. It was to prove difficult. Abi had found various merits to both guys. On Aidan: “He was very funny, a bit shy, good and easy company – inoffensive enough.” On Hugh: “Good-looking, funny and a bit eccentric. I really have no idea whom to choose."
Yet with a little pushing, choose she did, and she and Aiden headed off to dinner. The free cocktails were such a success that both parties were more than a little merry by the time they got to the restaurant. After some further social lubrication in the conveniently-attached bar at the luxurious Eastgate Hotel on Merton Street, Abi and Aidan continued their auspicious first encounter. So was it to be love at first course? Sadly not – our first matchmake failed to ignite any sparks.
Indeed, even the couple’s choice of food seemed to lack imagination. Several hours later, back in the bar, a phone call from Abi informed us that they planned to be “lifelong friends.” So what about us matchmakers – how did our first date of term fare? Well, after some initial awkwardness we found we had great chemistry, and hope to continue our relationship throughout the term and spread love between lectures.
Hugh do not despair: he will be back next week as the chooser!
Aidan on Abi: Looks: 8/10 Personality: 8/10 Style: 7/10 Spark? Not really
Abi on Aidan: Looks: 7/10 Personality: 9/10 Style: 6/10 Spark? No
21st Apr 2005