Even the thought of going on a blind date can be extremely nerve-wracking. You’re meeting someone you don’t know for the first time and the possibilities are endless.
But it can also be exciting. You may end the date with a new friend or it could lead to something more.
Whether you’re meeting someone online or you’re being set up by a friend, it will initially feel awkward for both people involved. Read on to find out more on how to prepare and how to survive a blind date.
Be realistic with your expectations
In the lead up to the date, you will form certain expectations in your head. Even if this person seems amazing it doesn’t mean they will be.
Some people appear to be something that they are not and the only way to determine that is to spend some time with them.
If you have too high expectations of your date, it will probably lead to disappointment.
You could be sitting across from a really great person but they aren’t what you imagined they would look like. How can they live up to that image?
Neither should you have too low expectations. If you head to the date thinking that it’s going to be terrible, you’ll constantly be fearing the worst.
It’s not a good start to have negative thoughts about someone you have never met. You have to give them a chance.
It’s best to have an open mind when it comes to blind dates. It might be good or it could be bad – but don’t make an assumption either way.
Don’t treat it like a job interview as this will probably make you feel nervous, just think of it as if you were just meeting with a friend. That way you’ll feel more relaxed about the situation.
Wear something comfortable
You would be surprised at how easily an outfit can affect your mood.
If you wear something you’re not comfortable in, you will spend the whole time wishing that you wore something else and this can ultimately determine how the date goes.
When choosing an outfit you need to pick something that makes you feel good about yourself.
It’s not about whether or not your date finds you attractive, it’s about wearing something that makes you feel attractive.
On the day, you don’t want to spend hours trying on different outfits and getting yourself stressed out.
Plan your outfit at least a day before the date so that’s one less thing to be nervous about. It’s important that you arrive to the date in a good mood and a clear mind.
Be fair
Maybe you’ve seen a photo of your date and they are not the kind of person you would usually be attracted to. It’s too late to cancel but you should give them a chance before you rule them out completely.
It’s possible that you won’t be attracted to someone just by looking at a photo.
You have to meet them in person to know for sure whether there is a connection. They might have an amazing personality or a fascinating way of telling stories that makes you attracted to them.
There may not necessarily be a ton of chemistry on the first date but sometimes this grows over time.
Although you usually know if there is something there or not, it’s worth waiting to see if it develops. You’re both going to be nervous so take time to get to know them better before you start judging.
If there’s no chemistry at all then it doesn’t mean that it was a complete failure. If you can keep a conversation going and enjoy each other’s company, it could lead to a friendship.
Find out about your date
Even though you shouldn’t know everything there is to know about your date, it’s a good idea to find out about some of their interests so you will know what to talk about.
If you met them online, ask them a few questions about themselves prior to the date. Some of the best questions to ask are what they do for work and what they do when they’re not working.
If you have been set up by a friend, ask them what they know about your date. Many of us are guilty of looking at social media accounts and forming an opinion of someone based on their Facebook statuses.
Try not to pre-stalk your date as you don’t want to know everything about them before you have met them.
Plan a worst case sScenario
It will probably be fine but it’s a sensible idea to have an escape plan if you need it. If your date becomes aggressive or something about them makes you feel intimidated in any way, you have every right to end the date early.
Don’t feel like you should stay just to be polite. You can ask your friend to call you and pretend that there is an emergency so you have to leave, or you can tell them that you are not feeling well and need to get home.
There are many excuses you can use in this situation, so choose one and stick to it.
Choose a convenient location
Even if the person seems genuine and trustworthy, you still need to remain cautious as you haven’t met them yet. Pick a public place and tell at least one friend where you will be going.
A café is a great location for a first date as it’s a relaxed atmosphere and coffee dates generally last 1 – 2 hours, so if it becomes awkward you won’t have to sit there for long.
Don’t tell them everything about you on the first date, especially not where you work.
You can tell what you do for work but hold back from giving away too much information and don’t invite them back to your home unless you are sure that you can trust them.
You don’t know this person well enough yet so you should be on your guard until you do.
Be honest
Some people tell lies just to impress their date but it can easily backfire.
Your date wants to get to know the real you, so don’t lie as this will affect your chances of a possible relationship. It’s even worse if they find out the truth later on in the relationship.
When it comes to the end of the date you need to be honest about your feelings.
If there was no connection between you two, then make it clear how you feel in a polite manner.
You don’t have to be rude about it, chances are they already know that there was no chemistry.
If you liked them and want to go on another date, try not to be shy about it. Let them know that you are interested otherwise they may get the wrong idea.
Nobody likes not knowing where they stand. You don’t have to wait for them to say it first, take the initiative and ask them on another date.
If they decline, respect their decision and say goodbye. But if they say yes then it could be the start of something. You’ll never know unless you try.
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