'Mindset is everything': First Dates host Mateo Saina shares his top tips for finding love

As Jennifer McShane grapples with love in a post-Covid world, she turns to Mateo Saina, host of First Dates, for some very practical advice. His top tip? Put yourself out there – and be yourself

Matteo Saina in Glas restaurant, Chatham St., where he works. Photograph Moya Nolan

I am unlucky in love. Is it because I watch too many movies and this has skewed my expectations of realistic romance? This is likely. Do I subconsciously at least put up barriers due to having mild Cerebral Palsy (CP)? Most definitely. Due to the latter, I’m quite despondent when it comes to love, convinced in some ways that the partial disability will be too much hassle for a partner. As a result, I tend to make little effort, having nothing to really stack up when it comes to the odds.

This, according to First Dates’ charming maître d’, Mateo Saina, is my first mistake. Because, he says, dating is all about the numbers. He has a no-nonsense approach when it comes to matters of the heart. It’s easy to see why so many on the show are soothed by his relaxing presence. He is direct without being unkind and encouraging without a rose-tinted glass perspective. Because if you’re not at least trying to play (and hopefully enjoy) the game, how can you hope to be a serious contender?