14 Tips To Have An Awesome First Or Blind Date
First or Blind Date Tips to Charm their Pants Off!
If you’re going on a date with someone you have never met in person, it’s normal to feel nervous about how your first encounter will turn out. After all, this is a total stranger and there’s no telling if you will have a connection.
Even so, a first or blind date shouldn’t cause you stress. And, even if it doesn’t turn out into a second date, that’s ok too! It’s ok to go out and have fun with someone new, rather than being by yourself and feeling lonely.
The truth is that you’re not the only one that feels nervous when going for a first or blind date. There are a lot of ‘what ifs’ that are sure to cross your mind, and theirs! To ensure you have a good time without the unnecessary pressure that comes with first or blind dates, we’ve put together a list of tips that will help you keep safe and have a good time… even with a total stranger!
Table of Contents
Video Chat Your Date
A short video chat is a great way to set the pace for a physical date. If you like, you can dress up like you would for a date. You still want to make a good impression with this one and a pre-visual date can help take the chill off the physical date. A lot can be learned from a quick video chat so we strongly recommend this one before any in person meeting.
Planning Your Date
Once you’ve had a virtual meeting, you will have enough info to help you execute an enjoyable and successful physical date. For instance, if you discover, during the virtual date that there’s an activity you both love, this could set the venue for the in-person date. You could find out that you have mutuals or even that your favorite lifestyle club is hosting a meet and greet that you both planned to attend. Planning makes everything better we say!
Safety
One of the first things that will cross your mind as you prepare for a first or blind date is your safety. After all, you’ve never met this person before. How do you ensure your safety is a priority? The following tips will help you organize your date so that your safety is taken care of.
Meet In A Public Place
We cannot stress this enough! If you’re not sure about the person you’re meeting, it’s better to meet in a public place. This way, there’s less likelihood of your new acquaintance trying to do something that will put your safety at risk. Let someone close like a family member or a friend know where you’re going for your date. If there’s no one around, tag your location on your social media.
“Pick an informal place such as a pub or coffee shop and only meet for drinks. If you get along well, you can always extend it to dinner, but if it isn’t going well, you’re only committed to a drink and can make the excuse that you have a supper booked with a friend in order to leave.” (Hinde)
Organize Transportation For Yourself
Even if your date insists on picking you up and dropping you, let them know that you will find your own way to the venue. Remember not to pick a venue that is in the vicinity of your home or neighborhood. Just in case your date isn’t who you thought they would turn out to be, you want to ensure that there’s no risk of gaining a stalker.
Stay True To Your Boundaries
It’s important to stick to your boundaries whenever you go out with someone you’ve never met or have just met. If you have to drink alcohol, ensure that it’s only a drink or two. Alcohol can lower your inhibitions and make you do things you normally wouldn’t do.
“Limit alcohol intake, and never drink before your date. Though nerves can tempt you to take that one calming drink, override that impulse and meet your date with clarity.” (Dr. Gail Gross) If your date pressures you to do things you don’t want, signal a wait staff for help. You could also fake an emergency phone call so that you leave the date.
Get There Early
The point of getting to the venue before your date is so that you can check out the venue and know what to expect. It will help you take in your surroundings and relax. When you’re there, you can do things you would normally do like check your messages or your social media. You can also take this time to send your exact pin location to a friend or family member.
Making A Good Impression – Dress to Impress
A good first impression might be what you need to score a second or third date. Don’t waste the opportunity to blow away your date’s mind.
Your choice of dressing should reflect on the venue of your date or the kind of activities you will be doing on your date. For instance, if you’re meeting for a drink, wear something casual and comfortable. If you’re meeting for dinner, an appropriate outfit for the restaurant will show you care about your image.
Avoid controversial attire such as political statement orientated shirts or items that might not truly reflect your core values.
Be Comfortable
Now is not the time to break in that new pair of heels or boots. You want to make sure that you’re as comfortable as your clothing will allow. It’s ok to put on an outfit you’ve tried a couple of times before. This way, you know exactly how it looks and feels and can be confident about how you present yourself.
It doesn’t hurt to know that the last time you wore that outfit there were people who checked you out so go ahead and dress in something you know you will be confident in. Remember that you’re meeting someone you’ve never met before.
There’s the risk of making your date feel uncomfortable if you’re overdressed or underdressed. The look you’re going for should be enough to tell your date that you’ve made an effort to look hot. Stay away from outfits that make you feel self-conscious. If you’re a guy, you want to avoid an overly casual outfit. T-shirts and thongs won’t cut it if you’re going on a first or blind date unless its a beach date.
During The Date – Be Yourself
As much as it might seem like you’re doing the most, it’s ok to cover all possible bases that will help you have an enjoyable time. With that being said, here are some tips you can implement to ensure you alleviate the nerves and have a good time during the date.
Of course, everyone wants to present themselves in a certain way during a date. Unfortunately, what most people do is present a version of themselves that doesn’t exist. Remain authentic to yourself because you wouldn’t like it if your date presented to be someone they were not.
Manage Your Expectations
Going on a first or blind date is only the first step in your entire journey to finding the perfect partner. We’re not saying a first or blind date is a waste of time. All we’re saying is that you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket. Pay attention to your date and focus on having fun.
A first or blind date could be a great way of showing you exactly where you are in your search for love, sex or connection. Rather than expecting your date to fit certain expectations, have an open mind and be a little more accepting. By all means, we’re not saying you should lower your standards, but maybe your list for the perfect partner(s) might have left out some qualities you would appreciate.
Relax
While everyone experiences nervousness from time to time, the truth is that allowing nerves to take over your date can ruin the entire experience for you and your date. If neither of you are having fun because you and your date can’t relax, chances are that you might not meet again. If your date is a little nervous, cut them some slack. Not everyone can instantly feel comfortable when they meet someone new. If there’s potential for something more, give it a chance.
Skip The Small Talk
Maintaining a constant stream of conversation with a stranger isn’t the easiest thing. However, if you and your date are willing to scratch further than the surface and move beyond small talk, you can have a great time!
Spending your date talking about the weather doesn’t make sense. It’s better to ask questions that will help you get to know your date. This way, you can find out whether you and your date are compatible. Don’t shy away from the big questions that will let you know who they are as a person.
The more you encourage your date to talk about themselves, the more you know about them. Remember that it’s ok to also talk about yourself too. However, try not to make the date all about you.
Listen actively and give your date the attention they deserve. Ask them about the things they’re doing that bring value to their life. You never know, you might just get something out of such conversations that will spur you to your next goal in life.
Remember To Have Fun!
The focus of a first or blind date is not only to get to know the other person better, but to have fun too! Regardless of who you’re on a date with and whether you will see them again, you should have fun! As long as you have a good time, and are making memories with your date, it’s not a waste of time. If the date isn’t enjoyable no matter how much you try, you don’t have to force it. A first or blind date shouldn’t feel like torture, so if it isn’t fun, it’s ok to end the date and leave.
References
Dr. Gail Gross. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/10-tips-for-a-successful-blind-date_b_8689370. 8 December 2015. 11 September 2022.
Hinde, Natasha. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/tips-for-going-on-a-blind-date_uk_5a1d4870e4b071403b28db8d. 28 November 2017. 10 September 2022.
Walansky, Aly. https://www.askmen.com/dating/heidi_100/119_dating_girl.html n.d. 11 September 2022.