Two GW strangers, freshmen Dan Wessel and Lindsay Leshin, met at Firefly restaurant in Dupont Circle for an early Sunday dinner, good conversation and a few laughs
Dan
Dan: I’ve never been on a date before, let alone a blind date. I had heard stories from friends about blind dates that didn’t turn out well, so I was half expecting something to go horribly wrong. Instead, it turned out great and I was very pleasantly surprised.
Originally, I agreed to go on the date because my roommate said he’d do it, but something came up at that last minute and he asked me to cover for him. Eventually, I became excited about it because I thought it would be interesting.
She was late since she didn’t know how to find the place and was running up the steps frantically when I asked if she was here for the blind date. She was really apologetic for being 15 minutes late, but I didn’t mind. She seemed like a nice person, sincerely worried that she was starting off on the wrong foot.
I had a great salad with goat cheese and a tuna entr?e. It was much better than the usual fast food dinner of a college student.
There was no tension or awkward moments at all. We immediately started joking around and had a very pleasant time talking about our friends in college and telling each other funny stories from back home. She talked about her brother, I talked about my family, and it was really nice.
My final impression of Lindsay was much better than my first. Initially, I thought she was a little frazzled, but when I got to know her I found out she was very cool, much like someone I would be friends with.
I would go on another date with her, but I have a feeling it’s just going to be a friend thing. I give the date an A.
Lindsay
Lindsay: This was my first date in college and I’d never been on a blind date before. I agreed to go on the date because I figured “why not?” and I wanted to try something new.
I thought the date was going to be just OK, but he was actually great and I had a lot of fun. I wanted someone who was easy to talk to and he definitely satisfied that desire.
When I got there I was 15 minutes late, so I was running up the stairs when he stopped me and introduced himself. I apologized and he was very understanding and sweet. I liked that.
I had French fries, a salad and risotto. Right away he reminded me of my dad, the way he carried himself and the things he was interested in, which wasn’t bad at all. We talked about everything – our home, roommates and we even talked about exes even though it’s the rule not to. The conversation flowed pretty well considering we had to cover 18 years of life in a couple of hours.
He was definitely the sweet guy I thought he was by the end of the night. Personality-wise, he was my type and I would go on another date with him. I give the date a flat A.
Dater Bios
Name: Dan Wessel
Year: Freshman
Age: 18
Hometown: Manhattan, N.Y.
Major: Middle Eastern studies
Name: Lindsay Leshin
Year: Freshman
Age: 18
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Major: communications
What would be your ideal date?
Dan: My ideal date would be to go to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant followed up by a movie.
Lindsay: My ideal date would consist of a vegetarian dinner and a classic movie.
What charac teristics do you look for in a person?
Dan: She would have to be laid-back and be alright with watching cult DVDs. She would also have to be the type to get along with my friends.
Lindsay: I definitely look for intelligence, good looks and culture. Anyone who could challenge me intellectually and surprise me is my ideal person.
What are your own personal interests?
Dan: My interests center on politics, especially Middle Eastern politics. I like good cult movies and I also have an interest in riflery.
Lindsay: My sorority takes up most of my free time and academically I’m interested in public relations. Couch potato is the only sport I play.
“GW Blind Date” is a regular feature in the Life section modeled after Washington Post Magazine’s Date Lab. If you would like to be set up on a blind date with another GW student, e-mail [email protected].
