Graeme on Holly
What were you hoping for?
Honestly, I had pretty low expectations—I just wanted a fun night with as little awkwardness as possible.
First impressions?
A very positive, engaging woman with a beautiful smile.
What did you talk about?
Growing food, the joys of seeds, birdwatching, how young people today can’t rave properly, epigenetics, and breaking generational cycles.
Most awkward moment?
Holly squashing an aphid that had landed on my forehead with a firm thumb. To be clear, the poor aphid wasn’t in the lovely restaurant—it was outside a different place that had hanging baskets.
Good table manners?
Impeccable.
Best thing about Holly?
She was incredibly easy to talk to. Her confidence and wide range of interests made her a joy to be around.
Would you introduce Holly to your friends?
In a heartbeat.
Describe Holly in three words
Nuanced, sparkling, niche.
What do you think Holly made of you?
I reckon she was hugely impressed that I could name every species of bird she had tattooed on her leg.
Did you go on somewhere?
Yes, a nearby pub and then a little nightclub.
And… did you kiss?
Yes, we did.
If you could change one thing about the date, what would it be?
I’d tone down my oversharing.
Marks out of 10?
9.8.
Would you meet again?
I’m really looking forward to it.
Holly on Graeme
What were you hoping for?
To meet someone interesting and fun.
First impressions?
Warm, confident. Graeme quickly made me feel at ease.
What did you talk about?
Our mutual nerves about the evening. The joys of working outside. Forestry management for biodiversity. Rural living. The importance of dancing.
Most awkward moment?
I got overexcited about the menu and ordered quite a lot of food. We didn’t need the extra salad.
Good table manners?
Excellent—he kept our glasses topped up and was happy to share dishes.
Best thing about Graeme?
He has a very curious mind and is a great listener.
Would you introduce Graeme to your friends?
He’d get along well with them.
Describe Graeme in three words
Warm, intelligent, open.
What do you think Graeme made of you?
I hope he thought I was easy to talk to.
Did you go on somewhere?
We did. We madeI made the most of being in the city and went looking for some music and dancing! And… did you kiss?
Yes. If you could change one thing about the date, what would it be?
Nothing – I had a really fun evening. Graeme is a lovely guy who is very easy to talk to and up for a laugh. Marks out of 10?
A solid 8. Would you meet again?
We live quite far apart, but we’ll see… Holly and Graeme ate at the Palmerston in Edinburgh. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Blind Date What Was the Most Awkward Moment When She Squashed a Bug on My Forehead
Beginner Questions
1 What is a blind date
A date where two people who have never met go out together usually set up by a friend or an app
2 What does awkward moment mean
A moment that feels uncomfortable embarrassing or hard to handle
3 What happened on this blind date
A bug landed on the mans forehead and his date squashed it with her hand
4 Why was that awkward
Because they had just met and she touched his face to kill a bug thats a strange unexpected thing to do
5 Is this a real story or a joke
Its usually told as a funny cringeworthy dating story or a joke answer to What was your most awkward moment
Intermediate Questions
6 Why do people ask What was your most awkward moment
Its a common icebreaker question on dates to get a funny or honest story and to see how someone handles embarrassment
7 Why is this answer funny
Its unexpected People expect stories about saying the wrong thing or spilling a drink not someone killing a bug on your face
8 What makes a blind date awkward in general
Silence awkward small talk mismatched expectations or doing something too personal too soon
9 Was squashing the bug a good move
Probably not It was helpful in a way but it crossed a personalspace line with someone she barely knew
10 How should you react if something like this happens to you
Laugh it off Making a joke about it can turn an awkward moment into a funny memory
Advanced Questions
11 What does this story teach about personal boundaries on a first date
That physical contact even with good intentions should wait until both people are comfortable
12 How can you recover from an awkward moment on a date
Acknowledge it lightly laugh and move on Dont overapologize or dwell on it
13 Why do awkward stories like this become popular
People relate to them Everyone has had cringeworthy moments and laughing about them makes them less painful
