Date Lab: Why you should listen to your mother

About the daters ...

Brag a little ...

• 
• 
• 

( Courtesy of the daters ) -

More from Date Lab

Read previous stories and fill out an application

Hanna: I’m a woman who knows where I want to be in life. I like trying new things and experiences. I’m open to adventures. I enjoy sports (football/baseball/basketball). I love cooking and I’m good at it.

Philip: I’m in shape and love exercising. I’m confident, caring and perceptive.
I know how to push people’s buttons, and I doubt anyone has ever called me boring.

Your type ...

Hanna: Guys who can keep up with me physically and can hold a decent conversation that isn’t work-related.

Philip: White, blond/brunette girl-next-door type. Put-together, knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to get it. Not shy around my friends/family, outgoing, active, into sports and new experiences.

Your idea of funny ...

Hanna: Witty and slightly sarcastic.
I’m not looking for someone to tell me cheesy jokes.

Philip: Witty, sarcastic ... able to give it and take it. Not afraid to call people out.

Interests to share ...

Hanna: Sports, outdoor hobbies (kayaking, canoeing, jet-skiing, white-water rafting, NO CAMPING), cooking.

Philip: Sports/athletics, love of traveling and new experiences, good food with good people.

About the date ...

7:30 p.m., Paolo’s Ristorante, Georgetown

Hanna: I got there first and was seated. The hostess brought Philip over a few minutes later. At first I thought he was cute, but he’s not my normal type at all. My normal type is a lot more muscular. But then I heard my mother’s voice in my head: “Your normal type hasn’t worked out for you, so what does that say?”

Philip: I was pleased [when I saw her]. She seemed very friendly and attractive. She had a great smile and she’s fit. She stood up and went for the handshake, but I told her we had to hug. She was fine with that and told me later that she’s normally a hugger.

Hanna: It took us a few minutes to figure out what we wanted to order, cocktail-wise. I was really nervous and made some smart[-aleck] comment when we were looking at the menu. I don’t remember what it was, but we both laughed and that broke the ice.

Philip: We talked about the usual things before ordering an appetizer. We asked the waitress for some recommendations. She recommended the calamari and the eggplant. Hanna said since she makes eggplant she would like the calamari. We started talking about cooking. She’s more of a recipe person, and I’m more of a look-at-what’s-in-the-fridge-and-throw-it-together person. We have a lot of opposite ways of looking at things. I think that’s good. It’s better than dating yourself in female form.

Hanna: He definitely is more of a spontaneous person. I like to have a plan. For me that [difference] is good. I need someone to remind me the day doesn’t have to be planned and do something random. We talked about our families. I’m very close with mine. My family and I are a little extreme. I talk to them every night.

Philip: I’m very close with my family, but we have very different relationships. She’s still her parents’ little girl. They worried about her being on a blind date and wanted to call her when she got home. Don’t get me wrong. She’s not pampered. She does her own stuff, but she still has that relationship. Mine don’t worry about me in that same way.