The next two were also movie dates and I won’t bore you with the details, but this led me to believe that going to the movies may not be the way to go when going on a blind date or maybe not even the first date. The problem is you’re sitting with someone for two hours in the dark not talking and then when you go for a drink afterwards, you find out that you have nothing in common and you just wasted close to 4 hours sitting with someone you barely know.

I’ve even tried to set up people on blind dates and I wondered after it didn’t work out if I was doing it because I knew two single people, or because I really thought they would like each other. Now that I think about it, it was probably the first.

I believe that setting someone up on a blind date comes with a lot of responsibility. After my blind dates, I always asked myself this question? Is this how my friends truly saw me? Did they really think I could be attracted to such a person, (some of the guys were either really strange or not even close to my physical type) or did they think the word single meant desperate?

Actually one of the guys that I set up on a blind date asked me that question and I don’t think I had an immediate answer for him. I wasn’t thinking about personalities or physical attributes, etc. I guess that’s why online dating sites like eHarmony or Match.com ask so many questions before you find your compatibility.

I have to be honest. I truly was not thinking about what they were looking for in a relationship when trying to hook them up and when they would ask me for a description, etc. I would try to describe them as if I was trying to sell them were a car. Basically, I could tell them how shiny and good the car looked on the outside, but if they asked me about anything under the hood, I would be lost. In my mind, I saw two people who were not dating and then said to myself why not?

I don’t think there is anything wrong in going out on blind dates. I would definitely go out on one if my friends ever decided to set me up again and I would probably still set someone up on one. But I would be extremely more selective in who I go out with and very selective when it comes to setting up my friends. I’m sure there are hundreds even thousands of couples who have hooked up because of blind dates. So I will keep that option open because you never no do you?

Sometimes you can instantly tell that you are not interested. Let’s face it: we are a shallow breed. We know what we are and are not attracted to. If you happen to be going on a blind date, arrive a few minutes late. This will allow you to size up the individual before you make an entrance. If you are not at all interested, you can make a quick phone call stating that an emergency will be keeping you a little longer than planned.

Cell phones are crucial tool for any dater. A faithful friend can always call allowing you to use the “I’m sorry, but there’s been an emergency…” excuse. However, this excuse has been used since the invention of the cell phone so use it wisely. Act sorry to be leaving, but do not promise to make it up to them. Exit gracefully.

There are several slightly dishonest ways to get out of a date. Girls can always use the faithful trusty headache excuse. Put on a good show by fluttering your eyes and rubbing your temples. Remember, this excuse has been used since before cell phones so this act must be perfected. Be sure to thank him for his time but assure him that there really is nothing that he can do. Act apologetic (but remain weak and in pain!).

Never underestimate the power of playing with fire. If the date truly is going downhill fast, have some fun with it. Be the date from hell – dote on your ex, flirt with the waiter, and make fun of him. The point here is to make him (or her) leave you. Be creative – but not too creative if there’s even a chance that your paths may cross or he is on friendly terms with any member of your family. That’s the last thing that you need at a family gathering.

A bad date can be one of the worst experiences of our lives – so why drag it out? Many people stay on the date because they feel obligated or because they are too polite. Perhaps the best thing to do is just be honest. Thank them for their time, but let them know that you don’t think it will work out. Make sure you pay for your meal or drinks and then leave. Sometimes it is honesty that works the best. This way your date does not think that there is a future for the two of you., and it can save you from problems down the road.

Before you accept a blind date, it is first important for you to consider the person that is setting you up on the date. Do they know you very well? Are they in a successful relationship?. It may not be a wise idea to allow someone to set you up on a blind date when they aren’t able to pick good dates for themselves.

However, if the person has a history of picking good dates, or they are currently in a healthy relationship, this may be a sign that they can help you greatly. Some of the people which will commonly set you up on blind dates are your friends, families, or co-workers. If they haven't brought it up to you, you may want to ask them about it. If they have a large enough circle of friends, it is very likely that they know someone that would be a good date for you. However, you will want to inform them of the things you are looking for in a date. While this may not allow you to meet the perfect match, it will allow the person that is setting you up to make sure they have made the right selection.

It is important for you to remember that all healthy relationships require you to make a compromise. Those who are unwilling to compromise within a relationship are unlikely to be successful. You must decide beforehand what compromises you're willing to make. At the same time, you will want to avoid letting people set you up on a blind date who are purely interested in seeing you go on a date, even if they are your friends or family. The reason I say this is because if the date is not successful, they will have a tendency to blame themselves.

If someone presents the idea of a blind date to you, there are a number of questions you will want to ask them. Learn a bit about the personality of the person you will be dating. Do they have the same interests? Have they gone on blind dates with others in the past? Are they quiet, or outgoing? Based on the answers to these questions, you will be able to decide if it is a good idea or not.

Fed up of your married friend’s matchmaking for you, you decide to visit a dating agency. Ten years ago, confessing that you had joined a dating agency would have been tantamount to social suicide, but these days the stigma is fading fast.

Today, many happy and successful people opt for a little outside help as it can be a quick and convenient way of finding friendship and possibly romance. So you visit an agency and voila! You find a face that has been your dream all this while and very soon you fix up a blind date with the person.

The big night arrives, yet for some reason you feel like a teenager going on your first date. We all crave for companionship, but when it comes to actually enjoying another person’s company we are often at a loss as to how to behave. Don’t despair.

The dating game is not as daunting as it seems. Here are a few tips to calm those pre-date nerves.

Do not expect the earth

• The dating process is not without pitfalls. Someone can have the most impressive agency profile and a very flattering photograph but when you meet them, it might be a different story.

Be sensible on your first meeting

• Go for a drink or a cup of coffee rather than commit yourself to spending an entire evening with someone whom you may hate on sight.

Meet on neutral territory

• Don’t go to your local wine bar where you are likely to know everyone, because your date will feel left out.

Decide on a dress code

• It should be such that you don’t feel over-dressed.

Keep your friend informed

• Tell a friend where you are going and what time you expect to be home, just in case anything goes wrong.

Be positive

• Having a positive about yourself helps when meeting someone new. You are hoping to meet someone you will like and who will like you too. People are drawn to bright and cheerful personalities rather than those which are shrouded in negativity. He will be able to spot neediness or desperation at 50 paces.

Treat others as you would like to be treated

• If you don’t like someone, politely make it clear that you don’t want to meet up again. Don’t promise to call if you have no intention of ever seeing them again.