Blind Dating

Dating experts also suggest that women should not dress too provocatively for a blind date. Avoid hemlines that are too high, plunging necklines or fishnet stockings unless you are sure you want to have sex on the first date. Teasing a blind date with your charms is not a good idea.

Men should try to avoid looking too casual in that "I am looking for someone to do my laundry" way. Wearing sports wear, such as sweatshirts advertising your favorite team is also not advised. Dress casually but also be you.

Dressing for the blind date is all about making a strong personal statement about who you are without overwhelming your partner. For instance, you don't need to wear your roller-skates to the date, you can just talk about your love for roller-skating instead. Of course there are exceptions to this rule. If you are a Wiccan witch covered with tattoos and piercings, it may not be a good idea to try and conceal that fact from your date.

Most people know within the first five minutes of meeting someone whether or not there is a romantic spark. It is important to patient, as sometimes the other person is as nervous as you are and doesn't necessarily express anything but awkwardness or anxiety for the first few minutes. Sometimes it takes a few moments for both of you to relax and for the personal chemistry between you to kick in.

While on the date try and keep the conversation going as best as you can. The best way to do this is ask your blind date polite questions such as "So how was your day?" and "Did you read that item in the newspaper about ...?" Although you are very curious about your date, it is best to save the heavy interrogation, such as "Why are you still living with your mother at age 43?" for later.

Keep an open mind, keep your sense of humor and keep your wits about you. Give the individual time to settle down, look you in the eye and talk about him or her. If something seems awkward or goes awry during the date (such as atrocious service at a restaurant), then encourage your date to laugh at life's little foibles.

Although it is polite to stick through a blind date to the very end, make sure to make a quick exit if your date displays any disturbing, addictive or mentally ill behavior. One way to determine this is to assess whether or not, after a remark has been made, you feel ashamed or humiliated in any way. Feeling shamed or humiliated by the comments or behavior of a date is a sure sign that you should abort the mission promptly.

To keep your confidence up before and during a blind date, keep telling yourself that most human beings are basically the same. The person you are with has agreed to this arrangement for the same reasons you have and probably feels just as awkward or confused. If it doesn't work out, comfort yourself by acknowledging that blind dates don't always evolve into a second date or full-blown relationships. The bottom line is that when you go on a blind date you take your chances and must be capable of handling whatever results from the meeting.