Going out on a first date is a stressful situation. When you add 'blind date' into the equation your stress meter may just explode.

If your date has been arranged by a friend or family member the stress can be even higher. You are under pressure to like who they have picked as your potential partner. If the date fails, your friend or family member will feel like they have let you down. Don't despair, there are ways to get through your blind date and maybe even enjoy yourself at the same time.

Tip #1

Be yourself. Even if you feel that you are the most boring person on the planet stay true to your own personality. If your date is not attracted to the real you then you don't want a second date with them.

Tip #2

Dress for the venue of the date. If you are going to the movies don't wear an evening gown! You know yourself better than anyone else. Pick your attire the same way you would for any other outing. This will ensure that you do not overdo it. You will want to look your most attractive, but stay within your wardrobe comfort zone.

Tip #3

Don't start picking out all your flaws and try to get them fixed before your blind date. No crash dieting or face tucks, remember, you want this person to like you for whom you are not what you hope to be.

Tip #4

Have fun! Even if you are not attracted to your blind date you can still enjoy your evening out. Don't get all depressed if it seems like your date is not interested in you. Don't put any pressure on yourself. Let the date just happen and keep smiling. You may not end up with a new romance, but you may walk away with a new best friend.

Tip #5

Avoid intimate venues for your blind date. Having other people around will be more comfortable for you both. If conversation is lagging at least you can chat about what is going on around you.

First dates of any kind can be very intimidating. Blind dates can be downright scary. Approach it like a fact finding mission. Your success or failure does not hinge on this first outing. Even if there is no chemistry between the two of you, it is still an exciting new venture.

Try not to embellish your life story just to impress. If your life is very ordinary, that is the way you present it. You don't want to reach the second or third date still trying to maintain a certain veneer that really isn't you.

If you have decided to accept your blind date, then decide to enjoy it as well. In the event that you have been set up with someone you just can't stand, have a backup plan ready. You could have a friend call you about one hour into the date. If things are not going well you can just excuse yourself for some minor emergency on the home front. It is not nice to lie, but in the case of a terrible blind date it is almost a necessary thing to do.

Learn more about this author, Patricia Watson.
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