Date Lab
interviews By stepHen LowMan
When in doubt, find common ground
YOUR DATING HISTORY AS A TV SHOW ...
Kristen: i have been described as a female Chris Farley, without the weight or drug issues. Like him, i am completely oblivious to the ritual of dating. (“oh, this is a date?” “why do you think i asked you out?” “i just thought you were hungry.”) Matt: a guy changes his living situation every year or two and casually dates a wide variety of girls. some are crazy and ridiculous while others are intense and have promise but are cut short by the next move.
YOUR TYpe ...
Kristen: someone who has done exciting, amazing things with his life, isn’t too serious but serious enough and, basically, someone who is willing to put up with me. Matt: someone who is fun to the point of slightly crazy, service-oriented, liberal and likes to travel.
Matt Haygood, 27, social worker Kristen Hunt, 26, defense analyst
7:30 P.M., AUSTIN GRILL, PENN QUARTER
Matt: I was excited for the date. I tried to make it so I really didn’t have any expectations. I got there about five minutes before she did. Kristen: I was exactly on time. The hostess knew I was from Date Lab right when I walked in and took me to the table. I wasn’t all that nervous. I figured I could easily make conversation with just about anyone. Matt: I didn’t have a strong impression of her either way. It wasn’t: Oh, my
God, this is horrible, or Oh, my God, she
is incredible. She has pretty eyes and a nice smile. Kristen: We shook hands and kind of half-hugged. He was fit and attractive. I wasn’t disappointed. But I was more interested in finding out who he was than what he looked liked. He was like,
Got a thing for mental gymnastics and a wacky sense of humor?
We’re looking for puzzle-loving singles willing to go on a nontraditional date ... to the 2010 Post Hunt on June 6! Find out how to apply at washingtonpost.
com/datelab.
6 The WashingTon PosT Magazine | may 16, 2010
“Let’s get the D.C. question out of the way: What do you do?” Matt: When she said she was a government contractor and she works with the Marines, and here I am this social worker, I thought, Oh, boy. I thought maybe [Date Lab] had put two opposites together. But it turned out not to be a point of contention at all. Kristen: I think he saw where I was coming from. He said he was a social worker, and I thought that was really, really cool. At the beginning, we were just sort of chatting and getting to know one another. We ordered drinks. I got a beer, and he got a margarita. Matt: She seemed a bit reserved at the beginning, so I was a bit concerned. I am the type of person who is smiling and laughing all the time. Kristen: That’s pretty accurate. I was kind of nervous, just because I feel like I can be a little over-the-top. So I was worried that, if he was timid, I was going to have to dial it back. But he was really easygoing. I didn’t have to pretend to be someone else. Matt: She said that she biked across the country to raise money for this
INTeReSTS TO SHARe ...
Kristen: an interest in what life has to offer. He’s gotta be willing to do fun, crazy things with me. Dream date: segway tour of D.C. where i pretend i’m G.o.B. and he can be Maeby. Matt: Music, traveling, helping others, trying new things and making mistakes for the sake of great stories.
BRAG A lITTle ...
Kristen: i am absolutely amazing! i am fairly easy on the eyes, got a knack for unintentional physical comedy, and i’m really smart. Matt: i’m very caring and attentive. i will always finish your drink or food for you. i’m not boring and can provide a good story. i’m laid-back, adventurous and love to live.
organization [called Bike & Build] that provides affordable housing. I had done the same thing only two years before her. We knew mutual people, and it was a fun experience to share between the two of us. She warmed up pretty quickly, and everything was good. Kristen: When he said he had done Bike & Build, that’s what put me at the most ease. We seemed to connect on a lot of different levels.
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