First Dates

As much as you might like this to be a post about some disastrous (or successful - let’s be positive) first date. It is in fact a post about a guilty pleasure of mine. Channel 4’s First Dates has its pros and cons, like any good TV program should. The waiting staff - including the effortlessly dashing Fred - are all incredibly friendly, and fill me with a sense of wanting to be in their presence. Every restaurant I go to I imagine the behind-the-scenes banter to be of their level. The sexual tension. The physical capacity for dropping plates. The rather unsubtle spying. They have it all in abundance.

And then there are the daters. Those who are far too forward and can hardly contain themselves from bringing up babies or producing a ring. Those who always say the wrong thing. Those who are effortlessly lovely, and who hit it off straightaway. Those who surprise us; either by their final admittance that they don’t want to see each other again, or that they do. What this program instils in me is the inherent unpredictability of life. But also I think it is often a program that fills me with great warmth and joy. Alright, the disastrous dates perhaps instil more fear than fantasy, but the majority of times I sit down to watch, I am not disappointed.

Sometimes the unlikeliest of people find love in the most unexpected places. Those who assure us the world has done them a disservice, they find themselves looking lovingly into a strangers eyes, and it feels like they’ve always known each other. Or there are those who don’t believe in romance who are soon arm-in-arm dancing down the pavements. This program reaffirms my long-held belief in the general loveliness of people. Or perhaps more specifically the general loveliness of love. It is, as Fred often says, a tough game. One you have to be in to win, and not just in the periphery, but really at the heart of it. It is a game with many losers, and the defeat can be emotionally and physically crippling. But the victory - nothing tastes sweeter.

So often I find the call of the love restaurant too strong, and the only thing that can lift my spirits at the end of a long day, will be an hour of love. It is not all about love going well, but it would be rather boring if it were - besides it only adds to my delight when couples do happen upon love. This program is so uplifting that I have even myself been tempted to test its delicacies, and my sister is very encouraging. She is especially keen that we apply together. Well, who knows. I may yet be convinced. But until then I will continue to watch and beam, revelling in the love of others; some of whom are just starting out on this journey, others who walk a well-trodden path. There is only one thing we all know - all roads lead to Romance.