Blind Date Preparation
So you’re going
on a blind date. Few dating scenarios are as nerve
wracking, and you’ve probably heard lots of horror
stories about miserable blind dates. Your blind
date doesn’t have to be a disaster, though, if
you follow a few simple suggestions to help it
be more successful.
Prepare Yourself
Communication experts say that we commonly form
an impression of someone new within the first
four minutes of meeting them. The first impression
you make will set the stage for the entire blind
date so prepare in advance to make a good one.
Choose clothes that are appropriate for the date,
not too revealing or strange. Get a fresh haircut,
trim your fingernails, and shine your shoes if
needed. On the day of date itself, allow plenty
of time to get ready and allow extra travel time
to wherever the two of you are meeting.
Where To Go And What To Do
Plan the date for a neutral location, preferably
one where there will be a number of other people.
When you don’t know the other person it’s not
safe to meet in private, plus if you’re in a fairly
active location it’s easier to disengage yourself
from the date if necessary.
Most dating experts recommend that a blind date
not be centered on a meal. If the date isn’t going
well and you’re having dinner, you have to stick
it out longer than if you’re meeting for coffee.
There’s also the cost factor to consider. If either
person is investing a lot of money in the date
activity that puts more intense pressure on both
people.
The First Meeting
Arrive a little early, make sure you’re neatly
dressed, and step forward with a polite greeting
and hand shake. Remember to smile and be friendly,
even if you feel nervous. If you’re a man, open
doors, hang up her coat, and pull out her chair
if you’re sitting down. If you’re a woman and
your date does these things for you, say thank
you and enjoy being treated with good manners.
Making Conversation
Getting the conversation started and keeping it
going is important to the success of your date.
Remember those experts who said a first impression
is formed in less than four minutes? They also
tell us that communication is based on much more
than just words. In fact, when you’re talking
with your date the words you use only account
for 7% of the total communication occurring. Your
tone of voice accounts for 38% of your message
and body language accounts for the remaining 55%.
Ending The Date
When the date comes to an end, thank the other
person and say something general like “I enjoyed
meeting you.” If things went really well then
you can indicate if you’d like to date him or
her again. If things didn’t go so well then don’t
say you’ll call, or that maybe you could get together
again sometime. This will create a false impression
in the other person and simply avoids the truth.
If you don’t want to see the other person again,
it’s okay to say so politely. Saying something
like “I think we don’t have a lot in common” is
much kinder than saying “I’ll call you” and then
not calling. Always be kind, though, and make
every effort to spare his or her feelings as much
as possible.
About The Author:
Adam and Drew's Dating Tips has a large variety
of free articles that have been written by consulting
'experts' in the dating, flirting and relationship
fields. Find out more at http://www.adamanddrew.com
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