NORA M.: 22 / controls engineer
When she is happiest: Hiking the Adirondacks
Her hobbies: Running, drawing, yoga
BRANDON B.: 26 / systems engineer
First thing people notice in his home: Magnet collection for every place he’s visited
His hobbies: Traveling, skiing, playing trumpet and piano
7 P.M. BAR ‘CINO, BROOKLINE
Input Lag
Nora I got home from work, changed, brushed my hair, and left. I was excited.
Brandon I was the first to arrive and chose to head over to the table. We were given a nice booth that even had pillows.
Nora He was seated when I got there. He looked like someone who would be very polite and would bring flowers when meeting someone’s mother for the first time.
Brandon She was very pretty and wore a nice sweater and necklace.
Assessing Bandwidth
Nora We talked about our jobs, hobbies, and the holidays. I am a controls engineer, he is a systems engineer. We both like hiking and active trips over lazier vacations.
Brandon The conversation started with some basic pleasantries about work and our hobbies. Things were a bit difficult when getting her to go beyond these basic answers. It ended up feeling more like a back-and-forth interview as opposed to a natural, flowing conversation.
Nora He was perfectly pleasant, but not really anything deeper than that. I’m not sure if I got to know who he is as a person.
Brandon She was reserved, which did not seem to work well with my outgoing, goofy personality. She did not smile or laugh for most of the time, which limited the opportunity to develop a rapport. Even when I was trying to lighten the subject, it always reverted back to serious. I am a big fan of puns and she did not seem to understand that type of humor.
Nora We both ordered chicken Milanese. For dessert I got gelato and he got tiramisu. My chicken was good but my gelato was REALLY good.
Brandon The service was excellent and I would try the restaurant again if only because of the atmosphere.
Nora I think I knew almost from the beginning that it wasn’t going to work. I wanted to really like him — that would have been so awesome. I hope that I came across as open and honest.
Brandon I definitely felt like there was an emotion-blocking wall across the table. I struggled to grasp her personality or relate with her, even on the things we had in common.
Hard Stop
Nora I didn’t really want to keep talking because the conversation hadn’t felt very easy, nor did I want anything more to happen. He stood up to leave pretty soon after the check came, so I think he felt the same way.
Brandon After I paid, I picked up signals she was ready to go. I debated asking for her number but it became clear that this was not something I was interested in pursuing.
Nora He tried to hug me but I went in for a handshake (I won).
Brandon I leaned in to give a hug before being met with the rejection of the handshake. It was the cap to the night that said it all.
Second Date?
Nora No, I just didn’t feel a connection and I deeply value and trust my intuition.
Brandon We will not be going on another date. Even though it didn’t work out, I enjoyed speaking with her and I wish her well.
Grading the Date
Nora / B
Brandon / C+
Go on a blind date. We’ll pick up the tab. Fill out an application at bostonglobe.com/cupid.