This week Becca Latter, 2nd year Modern Language and Linguistics met Rory Brigstock-Barron, 3rd year History
Becca on Rory
First impressions?
He came across well when we were texting beforehand and seemed very at ease when he came to pick me up. He’s easy to talk to, so I quickly felt comfortable in his company. He made a good first impression, which was a relief, since my housemates had spent hours winding me up with horror story scenarios.
Did your date make any romantic gestures?
He walked to my house to pick me up before going for drinks. It seemed easier than trying to find someone you had never met in a busy bar and it was nice of him to take the detour anyway. He also paid for everything which was very gentlemanly – especially on a student budget!
Any striking conversation topics?
We talked about life in Newcastle, how we like the Uni and what it’s like living in Jesmond. I was glad he asked how I had got roped into going on the date because it turns out we both got persuaded by friends who write for The Courier. We also discussed plans for next year; he’s graduating and I have a year abroad as part of my course, so we both have big changes coming up. Other than that, we just talked about the usual things.
Any awkward moments?
When Rory came by to pick me up, my housemates were all peering out of an upstairs window and, of course, started squawking and screaming when they saw him approach the door – very mature! The window was wide open and they shouted after us down the street. It could have been a very awkward start to the evening but he laughed it off.
If you were to get married and have babies, what would you want your baby to inherit from your date?
Definitely his approachability. Rory’s really easy to talk to and made me feel much less nervous from the beginning. I think that’s a really valuable quality.
Did you open the ex-file?
Very briefly, but there were more interesting things to talk about so not much was said.
At any point did you understand why they were single?
He made a joking comment that people often think he’s gay on first impressions but judging by my screaming housemates not everyone thinks that! I’d say no, he seems like a nice guy and if he does have any horribly annoying habits, he’s learnt how to keep them well hidden – on the first date at least!
Were you tempted to lean in for a kiss?
I’m really not a fan of PDA!
If you were to take them home do you think your parents would approve?
Rory’s really chatty and you have to be pretty talkative to get a word in edgeways with my family! For that reason I’d say he seems like he could definitely hold his own if he ever met the parents.
Marks out of 10?
7/10
Rory on Becca
First impressions?
My first impression on arrival at Becca’s front door was more one of her housemates: a chorus of screams came from the upstairs window as if Justin Bieber had just strolled up the garden path; he hadn’t. When Becca opened the door I was pleasantly surprised; she was pretty, and didn’t seem overly embarrassed by her friends’ best efforts to make it awkward, which made greetings a lot easier.
Did your date make any romantic gestures?
Do girls make romantic gestures? She did suggest that we take the Metro home, which meant that I didn’t have to fork out for a taxi.
Any striking conversation topics?
Having somehow sensed that Becca was a vegetarian (“you’re not a vegetarian are you?”) I was bemused to discover that she hates animals, but just doesn’t like meat, eh?
Any awkward moments?
The staff at Pasqualino’s – who were very attentive – seemed extremely interested in how the date was going, which was initially a bit awkward. They had even scribbled us in to the reservations book with a love heart between our names, which was nice of them. Considering the fact that we were never really drunk enough, there wasn’t much awkwardness. We must have talked for about five hours, which was great but meant I missed Match of the Day. That pissed me off, but it wasn’t Becca’s fault.
If you were to get married and have babies, what would you want your baby to inherit from your date?
Being an appalling linguist myself I would hope our children would inherit Becca’s ability to learn languages, as she speaks both Spanish and French. We also somehow ended up talking about the fact that we are both freakishly flexible, which could be a money maker if we trained the kids up for some kind of family circus.
Did you open the ex-file?
Yep, but we didn’t dwell, which is a good thing.
At any point did you understand why they were single?
Having slagged off couples a lot, I think it’s safe to say that we both embrace being single, and I don’t think Becca is someone who necessarily pursues relationships. Becca is pretty independent from what I could gather, but if she was looking for love, I’m sure she’d have no trouble finding it.
Were you tempted to lean in for a kiss?
To be honest, I don’t think a kiss would have gone with the tone of the rest of the date. The classic kiss on the cheek goodnight was employed at the end of a really fun evening.
If you were to take them home do you think your parents would approve?
Certainly, I’ve brought vegetarians home before and they didn’t kick off.
Marks out of 10?
7/10 – Becca is a great girl and I had a great evening, but the proverbial spark wasn’t really there. The search for ‘the one’ continues, jokes.
