How To Survive A Blind Date

While many find their true love through a random blind date, others find it pain-inducing, often ending in disaster instead of romance. Going out with a total stranger can be difficult and awkward, but there are effective ways to help you survive this one night.

What You’ll Need:

• Date and time for the blind date
• Proper outfit
• Money

Be On Time

Nobody likes a tardy date. If you arrive late, expect a terrible treatment, and you can’t blame your date: imagine if it was you who was sitting alone at a fancy restaurant for 30 minutes. You’d feel embarrassed and irritated too, right? Arrive on time, or at least ten to five minutes before. If you’re afraid you’ll get caught in traffic, study alternate routes to the place.

Sometimes, though, emergency arises, and you really can’t make it on the time you set. Call up your date beforehand, and ask if you can adjust your meeting time.

Dress Appropriately

Women often complain that their date stares at their breasts more than into their eyes. It’s probably because they wear seductive tops that reveal too much of their chest. Don’t dress seductively. Remember, it’s your first time to meet this other person, and chances are he’ll judge you by what you wear, and will be turned off. Opt for simple and neat clothes, like a nice top or jeans. The same goes for the guys.

Of course, you should check where you’re going first. For example, if you’re headed to a fancy restaurant with a dress code, you might need to wear slacks or a skirt instead of jeans.

Converse

If you maintain a good, flowing conversation, you’re in good hands. Not everyone has the “gift of gab” though, and since you might still be feeling a little shy, you might need to brush up on your social and conversational skills.

• Have some topics of conversation ready. It’s awkward when you’re caught with nothing to say during the date. Always have a few topics in mind. They should be light, as not to reveal too much about yourself, but interesting. Examples of topic are: family, favorite foods, friends, travel plans, and hobbies.
• Don’t talk too much about your job. It’s a date, not a job interview. You won’t impress your date by bragging about your business plan proposal. Talk about it for a few minutes, then switch to a new topic.
• Listen. A good talker also knows how to listen. Instead of going on and on about yourself, keep him or her engaged in the conversation by asking questions. When he or she talks, always listen intently. Do not interrupt.
• Keep it light. The other person is a total stranger-you don’t want to reveal too much personal information, especially since it’s just your first date.

Offer To Split The Bill

It’s natural for the guy to pick up the tab after the date, but that doesn’t mean you ladies don’t have to do anything. Even if your date wants to pay, offer to split the bill. It’s a polite gesture. He’ll surely protest, but at the same time he’ll think that you’re awfully nice and thoughtful.

Don’t Stretch The Date

So your date goes well, and you find out you two like each other. Still, there’s nothing to talk about anymore. No matter how much you’d like to be with the other person, don’t stretch the evening too much. There’s a limit to the amount of conversation a couple can sustain when they go out for the first time. An ideal blind date lasts between 2 to 2 1/2 hours. If you still want to see each other, exchange contact numbers. You can set a second date.

A Few More Tips

• Make sure someone knows where you’re going, and what the name of your date is.
• Don’t drink too much. Alcohol can relax you, but if you have too much, it can ruin the evening.
• Be polite. If you come to a point when you’re arguing about a topic, don’t raise your voice.

Just because it’s called a “blind date” doesn’t mean you have to go there blind and unprepared. Remember these tips, and hopefully, that random date becomes your chance to have an extraordinary romance.