JAMES NEISWENDER > 27
Graduate student
WHAT MAKES HIM A CATCH? I have a great career outlook as a scientist studying cancer biology.
HIS HOBBIES Playing a pickup game of Frisbee or soccer
MARGARET MAYO > 25
Manufacturing technician
HER HOBBIES I am very interested in science.
HER IDEAL MATE He would be a leading cancer researcher.
7 P.M. LO CONTE’S, NORTH END
> HYPOTHESIS
JAMES It had been a long time since I had been on a date.
MARGARET We were both early.
JAMES I arrived about 10 minutes early and she was already there. . . . The hostess showed me to our table and we shook hands.
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MARGARET He seemed a little nervous.
JAMES She seemed very ready for the date but not exactly relaxed.
> OBSERVATION
MARGARET He was tall, had light hair, and was well dressed.
JAMES She was thin, very pretty, and had beautiful eyes.
MARGARET I was doing my best to be friendly in hopes of making him more at ease.
JAMES We talked a little about our careers and where we’re from.
MARGARET We talked about our mutual interest in science and how much we liked Italian food.
JAMES We had quite a few shared interests, [and] the food was great.
MARGARET We talked a lot about his research and our overseas experiences. . . . We are both interested in scientific research and both spent two years in a Third World country.
JAMES We both play ultimate Frisbee. We had a lot in common.
MARGARET I felt very comfortable.
JAMES It got less comfortable as the date went on. She just didn’t seem to enjoy herself.
MARGARET The more I learned about the things we had in common, the more I appreciated that.
JAMES She seemed rather serious and wasn’t laughing or smiling much.
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MARGARET I thought he was interesting. . . . After awhile, I got a sense that he wasn’t too into me.
JAMES It was strange to be on a date with a beautiful woman I had so much in common with but absolutely no chemistry with. Something about our personalities didn’t mesh well.
> ANALYSIS
MARGARET I would have been up for continuing.
JAMES When our waiter offered dessert, I looked over to see her reaction and she was clearly done.
MARGARET He seemed like he wanted to get home, so I didn’t suggest anything else.
JAMES We said, “It was nice to meet you.”
MARGARET We went our separate ways.
> POST-MORTEM
JAMES B
MARGARET B
> SECOND DATE?
JAMES Probably not, but I think we could be friends.
MARGARET I enjoyed talking to him, but he didn’t seem all that into me. — Compiled by Katy Rushlau
GO ON A BLIND DATE. WE’LL PICK UP THE TAB. Fill out an application at boston.com/cupid.