Six HBS students let the Harbus set them up on blind dates and agreed to share their experiences.
Dating on campus? Non-existent? Negligible? More in need of stimulus than the economy? Your crimson cupids are here to change that.
We plan to set-up students every month in the hopes of bringing love and laughter to HBS. While people may be nervous at the thought of a “blind” date, we offer you the assurance that nothing is really “blind” in this bubble. Chances are you probably have seen or heard of the person we set you up with.
Second paragraph. As with so many HBS activities, we started with a poll. Then, throwing the names in a crystal ball, we isolated six daters as our guinea pigs. The Harbus gave them a reservation at Small Plates, $50 per pair, and no rules.
First Date:
Andrew Hill and Dorian Morris
Dater 1: Andrew Hill
Section: New E
Astrological Sign: Aquarius
What HE Said:
Were you nervous going into the date? Not at all. Ice water in my veins.
How did the date go?
It went well! Dorian is really cool, we figured out that we had actually hung out once in the very beginning of the year, and the conversation wasn’t awkward at all. I had fun, and I think she did too.
Do you think you will go out on Date #2?
Probably not. It was fun to get to know someone new, but I didn’t get a sense of twitterpation from either party. ÿ
What was the highlight of the date?
A non-trivial portion of the conversation centered on the Spanish-American War. ÿDorian pulled out her iPhone and there was mad Wikipedia action. ÿShe also showed me pictures of her tiny (but awesome) dog.
What one cool fact did you learn about your date?
She had been on a dating show once, called “The Fifth Wheel” (which I have seen before). ÿApparently everything is really scripted, they shoot multiple takes, and it’s fairly awkward the whole way around. ÿThis completely upended my previous conceptions of dating shows.
If you had to guess your date’s favorite HBS class what would it be?
No idea. ÿAfter I learned she didn’t like tomatoes, I stopped paying attention to details.
What do you think your date wants to do when he/she graduates from HBS?
Dorian has interests and abilities in a ton of different areas, which I think is really cool. Previously, she worked in strategy at Macy’s; this summer, she’s doing sales and trading at Morgan Stanley, if I remember correctly. After that, who knows?
What is your date’s favorite HBS activity/club?
I think she had attended an AASU thing the night before… I don’t remember for sure.
Anything funny to share from the date?
I was unaware that section E (my section) had scheduled a small group dinner with section F at the same restaurant we were at. Meghan Bodnar was the first one there, looked over at the two of us, and said, “Isn’t that table a little small for a small group dinner?” I’m pretty sure we provided solid entertainment for all of them.
Thoughts on HBS students dating other HBS students?
You don’t want to date Joe Nerdburglar, with his taped up glasses, band instruments, and other assorted nerdy goods. ÿYou want to date the cool kids. Just go for it.
Dater 2: Dorian Morris
Section: New C
Astrological Sign: Taurua
What She Said:
Were you nervous going into the date?
Not at all. I’m always up for an adventure- even if it involves people I don’t know and especially if there is food
How did the date go?
It was interesting… We had actually met during the Cambridge Carnival earlier in the year so it was like a reunion (minus loud music and feathered costumes). He was a wealth of information and I learned a lot about cooking from scratch, Panama beaches, the chronicles of dating a pastry chef and the Philippines’ rocky history. I also ate rabbit for the first time thanks to him!
Do you think you will go out on Date #2?
Nope. Nice guy but not my type. Pretty sure it’s mutual.
What was the highlight of the date?
The embarrassing stares from his section-mates who were on a small-group dinner! AWKWARD!
What one cool fact did you learn about your date?
I learned the proper protocol for camping with bears in Montana. Clapping hands and tying up food.
If you had to guess your date’s favorite HBS class what would it be?
Hmmm… I would peg him as a TOM guy. He’s into technology so I figure the discussions of microchips and sensors were right up his alley.
What do you think your date wants to do when he/she graduates from HBS?
He’s going be an entrepreneur. I’d invest in him.
What is your date’s favorite HBS activity/club?
Throwing parties with his roommates and the rest of “Death Row”.
Anything funny to share from the date?
We had an amazing waitress…I think I caught him salivating over her when he thought I wasn’t looking.
Second Date:
Guillaume Mercier and
Shaila Ittycheria
Dater 3: Guillaume Mercier
Section: New E
Astrological Sign: Virgo
What HE Said:
Were you nervous going into the date?
Not really – more curious How did the date go? Really well – it was super fun, I had a good time – Shaila is really laidback so there was no awkward moment.
Do you think you will go out on Date #2?
Well – Shaila is clearly out of my league, so I doubt she would want to…
What was the highlight of the date?
The torrid kiss she gave me at the end, seriously it was WILD (or was I dreaming?)
What one cool fact did you learn about your date?
Learned about all the places she lived in – also learned she had never been on a blind date before, so I guess, I was her first : )
If you had to guess your date’s favorite HBS class what would it be?
Hum… dunno – I’d go BGIE for interest in other cultures…
What do you think your date wants to do when he/she graduates from HBS?
Work in digital media – maybe New York if she likes it there this summer.
What is your date’s favorite HBS activity/club?
I’d say Technology club and stuff like that – Although it seemed like she was involved in a lot of different things.
Anything funny to share from the date?
Maybe the fact we bumped into another blind date! [Lee and Ryan, see below] They both were clearly upset as we were both better looking than them. I guess the Harbus paired people based on looks.
[Editor’s Note: The Crimson Cupids deny this accusation.]
What are your thoughts on HBS students dating other HBS students?
Probably generates a little too much gossip – but whatever, it’s cool
Dater 4: Shaila Ittycheria
Section: NEW F
Astrological sign: Capricorn/Aquarius (I’m on the cusp)
What She said:
Were you nervous going into the date?
Absolutely! It was my first blind date and all I had to base it on was that TV show, where majority of couples ended up being train wrecks.
How did the date go?
Fantastic. Guillaume and I hit it off right away; there was never an awkward moment. It also helped that he’s a good looking guy with an accent- how can any girl not enjoy that?
Do you think you will go out on Date #2?
While I would have loved to, I have a friend who let me know (after the date) that she’s interested in him; that’s a line I never cross. That said, I told her she better get a move on it, for there’s no way someone like Guillaume will stay single for long.
What was the highlight of the date?
The constant laughter. Shallow tendencies aside (which he definitely exceeded), wit and personality make or break a person in my book. It was refreshing to spend time with someone who was genuinely a fun, interesting person. Though our server started getting annoyed, she had to keep waiting for us to shut up.
What one cool fact did you learn about your date?
The Harvard Basketball team is trying to recruit him to play for them.
If you had to guess your date’s favorite HBS class what would it be?
Strategy
What do you think your date wants to do when he/she graduates from HBS?
Either stay in video game producing or focus on consulting in Quebec.
What is your date’s favorite HBS activity/club?
Not sure- maybe basketball, or something on the entertainment & media side with his interest in video games (specifically basketball video games).
Anything funny to share from the date?
Oddly, our two sections (E&F) had a cross-section small group dinners the night before. While Guillaume & I weren’t at the same dinner, our section friends figured out we were each others blind dates. They of course didn’t share the news with me, but did at least confirm that I was going on a date with a guy I had no reason to worry about.
Third Date:
Ryan Mackenzie and Lee Motayed
Dater 5: Ryan MacKenzie
Section: New F
Astrological Sign: Leo
What HE said:
Were you nervous going into the date?
Not at all. The chances of it being a real ‘blind date’ were pretty slim. I think I have already met 9 out of the 10 single girls at HBS at this point.
How did the date go?
The date was very casual and conversation wasn’t forced at all. We had plenty to talk about and the time flew by.
Do you think you will go out on Date #2?
If by “Date #2” you mean running into her at the Kong or a friend’s party and catching up there, then yes, there will definitely be a second date sometime in the next week or two.
What was the highlight of the date?
The company. Lee had interesting stories and experiences that she shared and she has a good sense of humor.
What one cool fact did you learn about your date?
That Lee is the roommate of one of my sectionmates. HBS is a small world – who knew?!
If you had to guess your date’s favorite HBS class what would it be?
It would absolutely be LCA. She couldn’t stop talking about ‘the 3 lenses of LCA’ during dinner and to the waitress. That was kind of odd now that I think about it actually…
What do you think your date wants to do when he/she graduates from HBS?
She said being a consultant for the rest of her life was her ultimate dream. So, I’ll take her at her word.
What is your date’s favorite HBS activity/club?
HBS Harbus Blind Dating Club
Anything funny to share from the date?
If you know Lee, ask her what her favorite food is and it will be worth your time.
Do you have any thoughts on HBS students dating other HBS students?
Great idea. It should happen more often.
Dater 6: Lee Motayed
Section: New E
Astrological Sign: Pices
What SHE said:
Were you nervous going into the date?ÿ
Not really, although I was running late, as usual.
How did the date go?ÿ
Well!ÿI know Ryan through my roommate, so it was nice to see a familiar face.ÿ He’s definitely a nice guy, we had a number of things in common, and it’s always great to get to know another member of our class. ÿIt was a bit of a short date, we had to squeeze it in between other commitments, but it was fun to get in some good conversation and pretty decent food. I don’t have much experience in the matter, but have been told that blind dates are usually awkward, and this one wasn’t.
Do you think you will go out on Date #2? ÿ
Is he asking?
What was the highlight of the date?ÿ
He’s a political creature, and politics is something of a personal hobby of mine, so it was fun to hear about his experiences in politics, and shoot around some thoughts around the issues of the day.
What one cool fact did you learn about your date?ÿ
I promised him I wouldn’t put it in the Harbus article.ÿ
If you had to guess your date’s favorite HBS class what would it be?ÿ
BGIE
What do you think your date wants to do when he/she graduates from HBS?ÿ
He mentioned a number of things, but the long term goal appears to be running the country, if not the world. ?
What is your date’s favorite HBS activity/club?
No idea..ÿ Section Senator?
Anything funny to share from the date?ÿ
Not really.ÿOther than finding out that my mystery blind date is someone I know.
Do you have any thoughts on HBS students dating other HBS students?ÿ
I know it happens a lot!ÿ It’s a bit of a risky proposition, though: at this point in the year, you know a lot of the single people on campus, and probably too much about their dating histories, which puts unusual pressure on dating situations .ÿ It seems to me that you have to be a little careful in going down that route. That being said, I have dated some folks on campus, and have met some wonderful guys through the process.. Just not the right guy.
If you would like to be featured in the B-SCHOOL BLIND DATES Column next month, please email msaini@mba2010.hbs.edu or dhopp@mba2010.hbs.edu. Happy dating!
