Dog poop and ugly vases: Edinburgh Goes Dating is back again

Were our singles lucky in love?


Maybe it’s the early spring or maybe it’s just the sheer desperation of another week in level four, but love is in the air for Edinburgh singles.

Edinburgh Goes Dating is back again, and it just gets better. Here’s a quick reminder of how it works: based on answers to our totally scientific compatibility questionnaire, we set up single Edinburgh students on COMPLETELY blind dates via Zoom. After the date, we ask them how it all went, and most importantly, whether another one is in the cards.

We’ve seen record success this year, with one round seeing three out of four couples looking for a second date. Will we find ourselves a successful love story this time around? Or just another awkward Zoom?

Here’s how this round went:

Thomas, third year French and Philosophy, and Elizabeth, third year Biology

Thomas is looking for a bubbly girl with an artistic passion, and Elizabeth wants an adventurous boy who’s up for something spontaneous. Will they be a perfect match?

Did you like the date?

Elizabeth: Yes

Thomas: I really enjoyed the date, it was really nice to meet a new person during this weird time.

What was the most awkward moment of the date?

Elizabeth: Nothing specific, probably just being on Zoom was a bit more awkward.

Thomas: Probably that very first moment when you’re both dropped in alone to the zoom, like being put in a breakout room but with nicer company.

What did you talk about on the date?

Elizabeth: Accents, food, travel, sport, our friend’s gossip

Thomas: A lot of things, I think we ranged from the simplest chats about cooking to random stories about extortionate baby sitting fees in the states.

Would you go on a second date (in person or Zoom)?

Elizabeth: Probably not

Thomas: I wouldn’t go on a second date but I’m really glad to have met someone new and hope we can keep in touch as friends.

Eilidh, second year International Business with French and William, third year International Business management with Marketing

Eilidh is a cheerleader looking for someone sporty like her, and William is looking for an ambitious blonde. Did sparks fly across the zoom room? Or did the chat fall flat?

So how was the date, good chat?

Eilidh: Yes!

William:  I mean we chatted for nearly three hours so yeah

Any awkward moments on the date?

Eilidh: Uh not much, sometimes was hard we kinda talked over each other when the connection wasn’t great a couple times.

William:  I wouldn’t really say there were any like major awkward moments other than when she told me about a dog shitting out plastic gloves.

Was you date ‘your type’?

Eilidh: Omg defos you guys did an amazing job matchmaking!

William: Yeah I’d say so.

How about a second date?

Eilidh: Would love to! Hopefully in person but who knows

William:  Yeah I probably would

Sarah, second year Sociology and Angus, fifth year Strength and Conditioning.

Angus is looking for a dark haired girl with a good sense of humour and Sarah is looking for a sporty guy who can match her rugby prowess.  Did hearts race for this sporty pair? Or did they find themselves at a loss?

Did you enjoy the date?

Sarah: It was ok, a little awkward.

Angus: It was nice, think that’s the first and only time I’ve ever been able to wear trackies on a date haha.

Was the chat good? 

Sarah: Not great :/ I was trying to get conversation out of him – I think we were maybe just a bit different as he didn’t really get my humour.

Angus: Yeah the chat seemed to be good.

Did being on Zoom make it easier or harder to chat? 

Sarah: Zoom definitely made it harder, it automatically eliminates body language and your conversation is isolated.

Angus: Yes and no; yes because it was a lot more casual, no because we’d sometimes speak at same time or lose parts of sentences.

Any plans for date number two?

Sarah: No probably not, he was nice though and I’m sure he will find an athletics loving gal soon

Angus: Unsure, don’t think so no (sorry).

Joe, fourth year Biotechnology and Zack, International Development Masters

Joe claims to be the least interesting sibling, looking for a physically fit pretty boy, and Zack is a singer with a passion for Surrey boys. Was Zack pretty enough for Joe’s tastes? Was Joe really as uninteresting as he claimed in his application?

How was the date? Did you have a nice time?

Joe: Yeah, I did. We chatted for a couple of hours, I talked a lot of shit as per and he was really nice.

Zack: Yeah it was a good date!

What was the most awkward moment of the date?

Joe:  The most awkward moment would definitely be at the end when I decided that it would be a good idea to show him my ugly vase (disclaimer: it came with the flat). I don’t know why I did that. Zack if you’re reading this, I’m sorry (although, it’s so whack it needs to be seen).

Zack: I guess the beginning when we were both on mute and didn’t really know how to say hey, other than that not really.

Was your date ‘your type’?

Joe: I don’t really have a type, but Zack is easy on the eye (cringe). He has a good sense of humour and we’ve got some stuff in common. If/when we meet in person and get to know each other, I’ll know whether if I like him. That be said we did match on Tinder a while back so…

Zack: Wouldn’t say my typical type, but that’s not a bad thing.

Date number two on the cards for the future?

Joe: Yeah, I’d go on another date with Zack. We’ve half arranged to go for a walk (classic) so if things work out then yeah.

Zack: We’ve said we’re gonna go for a walk.

Do you want to get set up by The Tab Edinburgh? Sign up for Edinburgh Goes Dating here

Edinburgh Goes Dating accepts and encourages applicants from all backgrounds, genders, and sexualities. 

Participants must be university students.

Please note that in order to participate in Edinburgh Goes Dating you must be comfortable having your name, a photo of yourself and your post-date feedback published on The Edinburgh Tab. Sadly there are no exceptions to this condition.

Related articles recommended by this writer:

Do you believe in love? Here’s Edinburgh Goes Dating round seven

Awkward Zooms and an accidental second date: It’s another round of Edinburgh Goes Dating!

Boris Johnson, Normal People, and technical difficulties: Edinburgh Goes Zoom Dating is here!