Every week, we send a couple on a blind date and report back. This time, Charlotte Dean, 29, had dinner at The Ivy in Harrogate with Neil Humpleby, 32.
Neil is a civil servant who lives in Billingham, County Durham. Charlotte is an HR consultant who lives in Leeds.
CHARLOTTE, 29, SAYS:
Charlotte Dean (pictured), 29, is an HR consultant from Leeds
Friends and family tell me I am extremely picky when it comes to relationships. Guilty as charged! But that’s because I want the next one to be my Happy Ever After.
My Mister Right does have a lot to live up to. I met my first love when I was 14 and we started dating at 17. I genuinely thought he was the man I would marry and have children with. But he passed away suddenly at 22. I was devastated and I perhaps jumped too quickly into my next relationship, which lasted two years. I needed to fill the gap, and that was a mistake.
So, for a while, I have focused on my career. Most of my friends are single, too. Still, I haven’t turned my back on the chance of finding love, and I want the next man I date seriously to be the one I settle down with.
I’ve never been on a blind date before, and I was really excited. The first person I told was my mum — and she was even more enthusiastic than I was. But when I first saw Neil he was a bit of a let-down, to be honest. He arrived wearing a basic shirt and trousers, but for a nice restaurant I opted for something a bit more dazzling.
To begin with I thought Neil was a nice guy but we had little in common. I am a person who decides quickly if the spark isn’t there and it won’t work out. But actually, as our lunch progressed we talked about lots of things. There wasn’t a moment’s silence.
Maybe I was a little too quick to judge him. But I realised that chatting away naturally doesn’t come easily to Neil. He puts himself down a fair bit — and he doesn’t need to.
I am a strong character and I want someone who is comfortable in his own skin. Yet I really felt for Neil when he said someone at his work had joked: ‘Don’t be surprised if she takes one look and walks out the door!’
My heart softened when he talked about how much he loves Disney films. I quizzed him a bit and, yes, he knows his movies — although he didn’t guess my favourite! I love snuggling down and watching The Jungle Book.
It concerns me that Neil likes to move around a lot in his career. Money seems to be a driving force for him, whereas happiness is everything for me. I do want someone who is settled in his work — a guy who knows where he is going in life.
Neil also hasn’t had a long-term relationship before. I think he needs to go on some more dates — he told me he hasn’t been on many. He is sporty but doesn’t go out to bars or clubs.
Neil and I had a lovely meal and enjoyed a drink together in a bar afterwards. Before we left, he asked for my number. I’d be happy to see him again. I certainly won’t say no to spending a day in York with him, like he suggested.
Liked? Conversation.
Regrets? None.
Coffee or cab? Coffee.
Verdict: 7/10
Neil Humpleby (pictured), 32, is a civil servant who lives in Billingham, County Durham
NEIL, 32, SAYS:
I approached the date with the attitude that it would be a lovely day out. If we met again, that would be a bonus.
But when I saw my date, my gut reaction was we weren’t attracted to one another. I’m good at reading body language and Charlotte’s wasn’t encouraging.
Even so, once I introduced myself she was friendly and talkative. My initial physical impression of Charlotte was a good one. She’s just over 5ft tall but was wearing heels. She had a lovely top on. In fact, I could have kicked myself afterwards because I made a major dating faux pas — I should have complimented her on her outfit and I didn’t. I have never been on a blind date before so I didn’t have the patter to hand.
I had crispy duck to start, while Charlotte had pâté. For my main course I opted for the lobster. It was possibly a bit over the top on a first date — but then Charlotte had steak tartare, on the grounds that it isn’t something she would normally eat and she fancied something a bit ‘out there’.
Despite my awkward meal, we chatted really naturally and never seemed to fall silent.
Curiously, we bonded over the strangest things. She supports Chelsea, while I am a Manchester United fan. I always get ribbed about whether I am a newbie supporter or not, and Charlotte was no different, asking me lots of questions about it.
We also bonded over our love of Disney films. I assumed she’d be a fan of the ones with princesses in the starring role. I went through dozens of them trying to work out her favourite. In the end I had to give up — and it turned out she loves The Jungle Book.
I’ve relocated five times over the past decade for my career, so my love life has taken a back seat. I’ve never had a long-term relationship, and those dates I have been on have mostly not led to a second meeting.
Sometimes I feel I’m a magnet for women who expect me to fork out for the date, then inform me that going forward it’s a platonic relationship only. Occasionally they even forget to mention they have a boyfriend! It has made me much more guarded.
Would I like to meet someone? My parents are keen on grandchildren and it has been mentioned once or twice. But more importantly, it’s horrible being alone at weekends. While I am sporty, and serious about playing tennis, it would be nice to have a girlfriend.
While Charlotte is a lovely lass, I enjoy watching rom-coms and they have influenced me in my opinion that when I meet The One I should know immediately — and there should be fireworks going off to confirm it.
Still, we had a lovely dinner and went for a wander and a drink afterwards. It seemed a very natural thing to do. There was no awkwardness between us.
We exchanged numbers before we parted ways, and I’ve suggested a day trip to York. Charlotte seems keen. I know I would like to see her again.
Liked? How easy it was to talk to Charlotte.
Regrets? Choosing lobster.
Coffee or cab? Coffee.
Verdict: 8/10
Link article
https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/06/wholl-find-love-on-our-blind-date-this-week-its-charlotte-29-and-neil-32/
Main photo article Every week, we send a couple on a blind date and report back. This time, Charlotte Dean, 29, had dinner at The Ivy in Harrogate with Neil Humpleby, 32.
Neil is a civil servant who lives in Billingham, County Durham. Charlotte is an HR consultant who lives in Leeds.
CHARLOTTE, 29,...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Femail HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/09/05/20/4FBE8D9200000578-6135541-image-a-19_1536177312007.jpg
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