Blind Dates: The Keys to Success and How to End Up with Someone Special

Blind dates can be extremely embarrassing, and make you feel like the worst dater in the entire world... almost everyone has been on one, and anyone can tell you that a blind date is the most nerve raking, stomach shaking dates around.

If you've never been on a blind date before... well, it can be fun. Don't go in expecting that it will be miserable, or it certainly will be. I've compiled a few tips to help you not only survive a blind date, but even have a good time. You never know if your blind date will be the one!

Setting It Up...

Ask the matchmaker to inform your date that you'll be calling. Picking up the phone and throwing around ideas with each other is a great way to not only get to know the date, but know what your date likes. Make sure to have at least two ideas on hand, so you sound not only excited, but like you've been thinking about it.

Try to make a date like mini golf, or bowling. Sure, a romantic dinner is typical, but you won't get to know her as well. Touching that isn't romantic or sexual in any way can be relaxing, and a large ice breaker.

Don't forget to check and see what sort of food she likes, and make reservations for dinner afterwards. Sure, you can wing it on the date - but do you really want to spend an hour and a half waiting at a restaurant just for a bad seat? Reserving a table will also show her that you're thoughtful.

Don't Hold Too Many Expectations

Worst case scenario, you don't like your date and have to tell your friend, the matchmaker, that he or she is horrible at making a date. Best case scenario, ten years down the line you can toast to your matchmaking friend.

However, don't hold any expectations as you go in - it's hard, I know, but resist it. Expecting Miss Universe isn't going to do you any good, and expecting the worst can ruin the entire evening for both of you. Instead, keep calm and cool, and see where the night goes.

Greeting

This is where the date is made or lost - the greeting. Open with a friendly, warm smile, and mean it! Don't say something silly like, 'you're prettier than I expected', because anyone will take that as an insult. You can do a compliment of the clothing, but that's about it.

Remember not to act disappointed if this isn't the date you were expecting. Just because you can't see yourself ever in a relationship with that person... well, this doesn't mean that you can't have fun, and make a great friendship out of the deal!

Throughout the Night

Stay positive during the whole date, and remember that you're not the center of the world here - there's another person in this too, and they're probably just as nervous, disappointed, or unsure as you are. So don't ruin the night for them because you were expecting a life sized Barbie!

Remember to have fun with your date, and always keep a good, positive attitude. If it didn't go well, tell her you had a good time, and that you'll see her around - if it did, ask if she's up for something next week, and give her a call to make plans. Not every blind date will be good, but not every date has to be bad, too!