What Do People Do On a Blind Date? Your Complete Survival Guide

Going on a blind date makes most people feel anxious and unsure about what to do. Friends set up over 30% of successful relationships through blind dates each year. This guide will show you the best ways to handle your blind date, from picking the right spot to dealing with those awkward silences.

We’ll help you turn your blind date jitters into a fun and memorable experience.

Preparing for a Blind Date

Getting ready for a blind date takes more than just picking out clean clothes. A solid game plan will boost your confidence and help you focus on making a real connection with your date.

Choose an appropriate outfit

Your outfit speaks before you do on a blind date. Pick clothes that make you feel confident and comfortable – this combo helps you stay relaxed during those first romantic chemistry moments.

A well-fitted button-down shirt paired with dark jeans creates a sharp yet casual look. Put on your favorite masculine scent, and keep your grooming game strong with trimmed nails and styled hair.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0b7SkckfE4

First impressions matter big time in the dating world. I learned this the hard way after showing up to a blind date in gym clothes – talk about a mood killer! Stick to flattering clothes that match the date location.

Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak. – Rachel Zoe

A coffee meet-up calls for smart casual, while dinner might need dressier threads. Good hygiene tops the list too – fresh shower, clean clothes, and deodorant are must-haves for making that solid first impression.

Plan a neutral and comfortable location

Pick a spot that puts both of you at ease. Public places like coffee shops, casual restaurants, or parks make perfect first-date locations. These spots offer a relaxed vibe and give you plenty of chances to chat.

I once met a date at a local winery, which worked great because we could sample wines and talk about our favorite flavors without pressure.

Safety comes first on blind dates, so stick to well-lit areas with other people around. Set a clear start and end time – maybe two hours max for a first meeting. This creates natural boundaries and lets both people feel comfortable.

Popular spots like golf courses or wine bars work well because they give you something to focus on besides just talking. The right location can make all the difference in helping both people feel relaxed enough to be themselves.

Set realistic expectations

Going into a blind date with sky-high hopes can set you up for disappointment. Dating apps and matchmakers might promise perfect matches, but real romantic chemistry takes time to develop.

The stats show only 1 in 3 or 4 blind dates lead to success, so keep your expectations in check. Focus on having a good time and getting to know someone new instead of planning your future together.

Stay calm and approach the date as a chance to meet an interesting person. Your nervousness will fade if you think of it as a casual chat rather than a life-changing event. Clinical psychologists suggest active listening and paying attention to body language during the conversation.

This takes the pressure off trying to force a connection and lets things flow naturally.

Starting the Blind Date

The first few minutes of a blind date can make your heart race faster than a golf cart zooming downhill. Breaking the ice feels less scary when you start with a warm smile and a casual “hello,” just like you’d greet an old friend at your favorite winery.

Greet warmly and politely

A warm greeting sets the tone for your blind date. Make direct eye contact and flash your best smile as you meet your date. Your body language speaks volumes about your attitudes and thoughts before you say a word.

I learned this trick from love expert Patti Stanger: stand tall and keep your shoulders back to show confidence.

Your first words matter more than you might guess. Skip the boring “nice to meet you” and try something light but genuine. Tell them you like their choice of meeting spot, or mention how you’re excited to learn about their interests.

A genuine smile and steady eye contact create an instant connection.

Keep your greeting brief and natural – no need to force arousal or attraction right away. Your mind might race with nerves, but take a deep breath and stay present in the moment.

Engage in light, casual conversation

Breaking the ice starts with simple, friendly chat. Keep topics light and fun during those first moments together. Talk about your favorite movies, local wineries, or recent travel stories.

These easy subjects help both people relax and open up naturally. Your goal is to create a comfortable space where conversation flows freely.

Stick to positive topics that spark good vibes and shared laughs. Ask about their hobbies like golfing or what they enjoy doing on weekends. Share brief stories about your own interests too.

This back-and-forth helps you both feel at ease and builds a natural connection. Skip heavy topics or personal drama – save those for later dates if things go well. Focus on finding common ground through light chatter about daily life, fun activities, and mutual interests.

Getting to Know Each Other

Getting to know someone starts with asking the right questions. Break the ice by sharing your favorite wine-making stories or talk about your latest online dating experiences – these topics often spark fun and meaningful chats.

Ask open-ended questions

Open-ended questions spark meaningful talks on blind dates. These questions help you learn more about your date’s interests, goals, and personality. Ask about their favorite travel spots, career passions, or fun hobbies.

This style of conversation creates a natural flow and shows you care about their thoughts.

Good conversation is like a game of catch – both people need to throw and catch the ball.

Simple questions lead to deeper chats about mutual interests and values. Try “What made you choose your career?” instead of “Do you like your job?” The first question invites stories and details, while the second only needs a yes or no.

Your date might share interesting tales about wine-making or their time at Long Island University. Active listening skills matter most during these talks. Your body language and eye contact will show you’re truly interested in their answers.

Let’s explore how to find common ground in the next section.

Share personal interests and hobbies

After asking great questions, it’s time to share your own story. Talk about your interests with real passion – it makes a huge difference. A Pew study shows that 64% of happy marriages thrive on shared interests, so be open about your hobbies.

Bring up activities you love, but keep it balanced. Share stories about your weekend sports league or your cooking adventures. Most singles connect better over common interests – 61% use dating apps just for this reason.

Stay honest about what you enjoy. Maybe you meditate daily or hit the gym three times a week. Just don’t brag or dominate the chat. Give your date space to jump in with their own experiences too.

Find common ground

Finding common ground creates a strong base for romantic relationships. You’ll want to spot shared interests right away. Maybe you both love hiking, or share the same taste in music.

These shared passions make conversations flow better. I once clicked with someone instantly because we both collected vintage records. Small connections like these help break the ice and build mutual attraction.

Talk about topics you both enjoy and watch how the chat gets easier. Share stories about your hobbies or discuss local spots you both know. Stay away from heavy topics like domestic violence or health issues on first dates.

Keep the mood light and fun. Look for clues in their responses – do they lean in when you speak? Do they ask follow-up questions? These signs show they’re interested in what you’re saying.

Good conversation needs give and take from both sides.

Handling Awkward Moments

Awkward silences can strike during any blind date, but a well-timed joke or a fun icebreaker question can turn those tense moments into shared laughter – want to learn more tricks to handle these tricky situations?

Stay positive and patient

Staying upbeat on a blind date takes practice. Your date might feel nervous too, so take deep breaths and smile through those quiet moments. A positive mindset helps you spot good qualities in your date that you might miss if you’re too tense.

Break the ice with fun questions about their hobbies or favorite movies. First impressions can change, so give the conversation time to flow naturally.

A smile is the shortest distance between two people. – Victor Borge

Keep your body language open and relaxed during awkward silences. Lean slightly forward to show interest, and nod along as they speak. Focus on growing from each dating experience rather than rushing to judge.

Your patience might reveal shared interests or values you didn’t notice at first. Good conversation often needs time to develop, just like a garden needs time to bloom.

Use humor to ease tension

A good laugh breaks the ice faster than any fancy icebreaker questions. I’ve found that making light jokes about shared experiences, like struggling to find parking or getting lost on the way, helps both people relax.

Humor creates a natural bond and makes tough moments feel less awkward. Science backs this up – laughter actually reduces stress and builds connections between people.

Keep your jokes clean and simple. Stick to safe topics like funny observations about the restaurant or shared dating experiences. I once cracked a joke about my GPS sending me to three wrong places before the date, and it got us both laughing about our own navigation fails.

This kind of relatable humor works great because it shows you don’t take yourself too seriously. Just avoid jokes about sensitive topics or anything that might offend your date.

What to Avoid on a Blind Date

You’ll want to skip certain topics and actions that could turn your blind date into a disaster – read on to learn the major red flags and dating mistakes you need to dodge.

Oversharing or being too reserved

Finding the right balance between sharing and staying quiet makes a huge difference on blind dates. Most people get nervous and start talking non-stop about their life story, past relationships, or personal problems.

I once made this mistake and saw my date’s eyes glaze over as I rambled about my childhood pet collection. The key lies in sharing bite-sized pieces of information that spark natural conversation without overwhelming your date.

Staying too quiet creates just as many problems as talking too much. Silent moments feel longer and more awkward than they really are. The best approach mixes short personal stories with questions about your date’s interests.

Keep topics light and fun at first – like favorite movies, travel stories, or funny work moments. This creates a relaxed mood where both people feel comfortable opening up at their own pace.

Talking about controversial topics

Hot topics can kill the mood on a blind date faster than spilling coffee on your shirt. Politics, religion, and past relationships need to stay off the table. Many women report bad experiences from dates who jumped into political debates too soon.

Keep the chat light and breezy instead. Focus on fun topics like movies, food, or travel stories.

Your date might bring up a touchy subject first. Stay cool and steer the talk back to safer ground. Say something like, “That’s an interesting point! Speaking of which, have you tried that new pizza place downtown?” This smooth move keeps things friendly.

Now, let’s explore what to do if you notice signs of compatibility with your date.

Using your phone excessively

Your phone kills the magic on blind dates. Studies show that people trust each other less and feel less connected when phones sit on the table. Put your phone away and focus on the person across from you.

A quick glance at your screen might seem harmless, but it sends the wrong message to your date.

Your date deserves your full attention. Keep your phone in your pocket or bag during the entire date. If you must check it, excuse yourself politely and step away for a moment. This simple act shows respect and helps build a real connection.

Your social media updates and text messages can wait until after the date ends.

Assessing Compatibility

You’ll spot real interest in how they lean forward, keep eye contact, and ask follow-up questions about your stories. Watch for shared values and matching energy levels – these small signs tell you if there’s a real spark worth exploring.

Observe body language and engagement

Body language speaks louder than words on a blind date. Watch how your date leans forward during conversations – it shows interest. Their eye contact, smile, and hand gestures tell a clear story about their comfort level.

Science backs this up, as studies show physical movements between two people often match when there’s mutual attraction.

Pay attention to small details that reveal big truths. Notice if they mirror your actions, like taking a sip of water right after you do. These subtle signs of physiological synchrony point to natural chemistry between two people.

Keep your own body language open by facing your date directly and avoiding crossed arms. A relaxed posture helps create a welcoming atmosphere for honest conversation.

Reflect on shared values and interests

Pay close attention to your date’s values during your conversation. People who share similar views on social justice and sustainability often build stronger connections. Research shows that matching self-transcendent values create the best foundation for lasting relationships.

Your date’s responses about these topics will tell you a lot about their character and outlook on life.

Take mental notes about their interests and see if they match yours. Notice how they react to topics you care about. Do they light up when talking about helping others? Do they show passion for making the world better? Great relationships start with shared values, not just shared hobbies.

People who value growth and learning tend to handle future conflicts better as a couple.

Ending the Blind Date

The final moments of a blind date can make or break your chances for a second meetup. Show grace by picking up the check, or at least offering to split it, and wrap up the evening with a genuine smile and a clear signal about your interest level.

Thank them for their time

Saying “thank you” at the end of a blind date shows class and maturity. Your date spent their evening with you, so expressing gratitude matters. A simple “I enjoyed meeting you” or “Thanks for making time tonight” goes a long way.

This small gesture builds respect and leaves a positive impression, even if sparks didn’t fly.

Good manners make future interactions smoother, whether romantic or not. Your date might become a friend or introduce you to someone else later. Keep things upbeat as you wrap up the evening.

A genuine smile and warm thanks set the right tone for discussing any next steps. Now let’s talk about what to do if the date doesn’t meet your expectations.

Discuss the possibility of a second date

Bringing up a second date needs good timing and clear signals. Most people feel nervous about this part, but Madeleine Dore’s dating experiment shows that second dates often lead to better connections.

You’ll want to read your date’s body language and engagement level throughout your time together. If you both shared laughs and found common interests, suggest meeting again for one of these spicy date ideas.

Be direct yet casual about your interest in seeing them again. A simple “I had a great time. Would you like to grab coffee next week?” works perfectly. First impressions can trick us, so giving someone a second chance might reveal amazing qualities you missed initially.

Stay cool if they need time to think it over. Your next step focuses on handling rejection gracefully if things don’t click.

What to Do If the Date Doesn’t Go Well

Bad dates happen to everyone, and that’s okay. A polite exit works better than ghosting or being rude, so keep your cool and stay classy through the end of the date.

Be honest but kind in expressing your feelings

Telling someone you don’t feel a spark takes guts and grace. I speak from my own blind date experiences – a simple “I enjoyed meeting you, but I didn’t feel a romantic connection” works well.

Your date will appreciate your direct yet gentle approach more than mixed signals or ghosting. Keep your tone friendly and focus on your feelings rather than pointing out their flaws.

Being honest doesn’t mean being brutal. Skip harsh comments about their appearance or personality. Instead, thank them for their time and express your truth with care. Something like “Thanks for a nice evening.

I think we’d work better as friends” gets your point across without causing hurt. Most people respect clear communication, even if the message isn’t what they hoped to hear.

Maintain respect and courtesy

Respect stands as the foundation of any social interaction, even if sparks don’t fly. Keep your cool and stay polite throughout the date. A simple “thank you for your time” goes a long way in leaving a good impression.

Your date took time out of their busy schedule to meet you, so show them basic courtesy.

Good manners matter more than you might think. Avoid trash-talking or making rude comments about your date to others. Word travels fast in the dating world, and a bad reputation can hurt your future dating chances.

Stay classy and treat your date with dignity, regardless of how things turn out. This approach helps maintain your own self-respect and shows maturity in handling different social situations.

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