SHYNESS, laziness and ChatGPT guided James Bates, aged 30, to a date with 33-year-old Jo Kramer. But will this modern-day Cyrano have the heart of a poet in person?
Jo on Nathan
First impression?
Tall, dark and handsome, like he said in his opening message. Which he then followed up with ’66 per cent of women describe that as their preferred type’. A man of facts and figures!
How was conversation?
More confident than I expected. I was worried about his being too much of a people-pleaser when he’d texted he could ‘also write this in a different style (more cynical, more romantic, more comedic) — just let me know!’
Memorable moments?
When I asked him what he’s looking for in a relationship and he disappeared to the toilet before coming back and answering. Nerves? Cocaine? Masturbation?
Favourite things about him?
A couple of times when I asked him a question, he gave me options to his responses. I do like a choice.
A capsule description?
A really original guy.
Was there a spark?
Maybe, but there were a couple of amber flags, like him insisting the Kennedy assassination took place in Nottingham in 1984.
What happened afterwards?
He sent me five follow-up texts, labelled ‘Simple but charming’, ‘confident and teasing’, ‘for the witty crowd’, ‘smooth’ and ‘playful’.
What would you change about the evening?
There was one part when he kept addressing me in the style of a Latino lizard for reasons I couldn’t understand. He named himself ‘Rudolf Scalentino’.
Will you see each other again?
Perhaps. I texted him and he replied that 75 per cent of couples go on a second date ‘and it is often considered advisable to wait until the third date before deciding on a potential partner.’
Nathan on Jo
First impression?
Gorgeous. Really pretty. Tongue-tying levels of pretty.
How was conversation?
Faltered in places. I furtively looked at ChatGPT for help speaking in the style of a ‘Latin lover’, but think it might have autocorrected when I was typing under the table.
Memorable moments?
Memorable moments on a blind date are usually the little sparks or surprises that make the evening stand out.
Favourite things about Jo?
Many women enjoy appearance-related compliments, but they tend to land better when they’re specific and sincere, ie ‘That dress makes your eyes look even more stunning.’ This does not work when she is wearing trousers and a top.
A capsule description?
F**k, my thumbs hurt.
Was there a spark?
A spark is often felt if you lost track of time, felt genuinely excited, body language was natural and there was effortless laughter. So in that case yes.
What happened afterwards?
A friend – I’m not saying who – advised me not to overthink it so I prepared a range of possible responses after the recommended three hour wait.
What would you change about the evening?
I hit the free plan limit for GPT-4o before we’d ordered pudding. In a panic I chose the cheese board. If I’d thought it through I’d have subscribed beforehand.
Will you see each other again?
Probably not. ChatGPT tells me that a man of my age with my options should be looking for a woman three to eight years younger. I’ll tell Jo that. I’m sure she’ll understand.
