How to Have a Successful Blind Date

The dreaded blind date...everyone has heard numerous horror stories about the blind dates from hell. However, some blind dates end up like fairy tales, and the couple gets married and lives happily ever after. These expectations can raise the stakes of a blind date and cause some anxiety. Learn to have a successful blind date and at the very least have a great time meeting someone new.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Pick your friend's brain about who the blind date is. Find out as much about the person as possible so you know what kinds of topics might be interesting and which ones your date will most likely find boring.

2. Choose an outfit that speaks of your personality but also shows your best features off. Dress to illustrate a sense of openness and a little playfulness without seeming too presumptuous. Of course, consider the setting of your blind date when picking an appropriate outfit.

3. Go somewhere fairly neutral. Choose a location where you can easily talk to your date, so concerts or motorcross might not be the best option. Going somewhere too romantic on a blind date can have a negative affect on the energy between the two of you as it can push something that might not be ready to develop. A good blind date location is somewhere you would easily take a good friend.

4. Be polite on your first meeting as you would meeting any other stranger. Stay away from being too overly friendly but be as relaxed as possible.

5. Keep an open mind. Even though you may have acquired a lot of information on the person, remember you want to hear your date's story from your date's mouths. Stay mindful of how much you are talking about yourself and allow your date to spend an equal amount of time talking about their interests.

6. Discuss neutral things that people easily connect with, like movies, music, food, art, sports, television and other general topics. These conversational topics typically offer good insight into two people's chemistry and are relatively easy to discuss. Remember a little healthy flirtatious debating or teasing can often be kind of sexy and appropriate in these situations. Also be wary of being too contradictory or contrary.

7. Say goodbye in a manner that feels natural to you. You don't have to kiss on the first date goodbye. Intuit which exit strategy feels right for your particular date and you. Always thank the person for a good time and if you liked your date, then leave yourself open for more meetings by exchanging a phone number or email address.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice active listening through reaffirming what the person has said by rephrasing it. You show interest and compassion, which are attractive qualities in any person.
• It's okay to talk about yourself. Too little information can be off-putting, but too much information can seem narcissistic. Your conversation should be balanced between the two of you.
• Do not talk about past relationships.
• Do not get drunk on your first date.

Resources

• Read some great dating tips.
• Here's a fun site to plan a blind date.

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