Head to head: two characters, one honest choice

Rankings look helpful until you ask what a number could possibly mean for a conversation. Set two characters side by side, though, and you learn something about them and about what you want.

Amanda Langford / Marina Ferri

Renata Marrero / Viola Santoro

Rachel Greer / Emily Foster

Scarlett Langford / Alex Parker

Making the call

Why I do not rank anybody

A top ten implies that one personality is simply better than another, which is nonsense. Someone who loves being contradicted would be miserable with a gentle listener, and the reverse is just as true. So you will find no scores here, no stars and no winners overall. What you get is two people with something in common, an account of where they part ways, and my opinion on who should choose which. It works the way a good record shop does: tell me what you liked, and I will suggest the next thing.

Feeling against tension

Two of the comparisons are about emotional stakes. In Amanda against Marina, Amanda Langford, 37, a home stager, wants a real connection, while Marina Ferri, 30, a former club promoter, is trying to honour a vow. Going by their profiles, one offers comfort and the other drama. Then Rachel or Emily takes two office professionals with private selves: Rachel Greer, 34, an accounting manager, and Emily Foster, 28, a law assistant. There the difference comes down to how quickly each of them lets you in.

Authority against bluntness

The other two are about force of personality. Renata versus Viola pits Renata Marrero, 37, a landlady, against Viola Santoro, 36, an interior designer, and asks whether you prefer your authority relaxed or exacting. Meanwhile, the Scarlett and Alex comparison sets Scarlett Langford, 23, a dating coach, against Alex Parker, 28, a graphic designer. Both tell you the truth, one at length and the other in a single line. I have my favourites and I say so on each page, so feel free to disagree.

How to read a comparison

Do not hunt for the winner. Read the section on differences and notice which description makes you curious, as that reaction is the answer you came for. Everything about how a chat might feel is my reading of the listed profile, so treat it as a shopkeeper's hunch and not as a report on what will happen. Features and listings change as well, so look at the profile on Candy itself before you settle on anyone. If neither name in a pair appeals, try another pairing.