Blind Date: What It Is, How It Works & 26 Must-Know Blind Dating Secrets

Are you preparing yourself for a date with someone you haven’t met before? Use these tips to have a perfect blind dating experience.

Blind dates are an exciting thought, but if you’re new to blind dating and are about to go on your very first blind date, it can feel incredibly daunting. You’re taking yourself completely out of your dating zone to meet with someone you’ve never met before to see if they have partner potential. What isn’t daunting about that?!

But as nerve-wracking and scary as it can feel, it’s also incredibly exciting. You have absolutely no idea what direction the evening will go in, and something about that is just so exhilarating. [Read: First date nerves – 18 ways to not be nervous for a date and feel calm]

But all said and done, all of us should experience at least one blind date in our lives. After all, it’s an adventurous experience that may just work in your favor. You could end the date with a new lover, a good friend, or at the very least, more insight into yourself.

If you’re about to take the leap and go on your first blind dating experience, here are the tips and things you need to know before you meet with a stranger under candlelight!

What is blind dating? The one basic etiquette rule to follow

To sum it up in a sentence, blind dating is when you go on a date with someone you don’t know. You haven’t seen them, spoken to them, or met them earlier.

So the most important aspect you need to remember about blind dates is that it’s completely awkward for both the involved people.

Imagine walking up to someone you’ve never met in your life and having to force a smile and share a happy conversation with them. Yeah, safe to say it’s pretty nerve-wracking!

So if you want to ensure that you have a great time on your blind date, remember this basic etiquette tip: learn to be genuinely warm the very second you meet your date for the first time.

When you warm up to your date, they will feel more comfortable around you. And that would leave both of you feeling relaxed and happy to be with each other within a few seconds of meeting each other. [Read: 18 dating rules to be a good date and must-know toxic habits to avoid]

How do blind dates work?

Almost always, a mutual friend may have set both of you up or you may have met someone interesting on a dating website.

In today’s world, there is no real blind date anymore unless your date is living under a rock. All you need to do is google your date’s name to find out everything about them that they’ve shared in the public domain.

But yet, the charm of blind dating can still linger in the air, because both of you still haven’t exchanged any words.

Blind dating tips to experience a perfect blind date

If you’re preparing yourself to meet a special someone on a blind date, make sure to follow all the typical rules of dating. [Read: 55 tips and things to do on a first date to leave your date smitten and in awe!]

And along with the typical dating tips, keep these blind dating tips in mind to ensure that the date goes smoothly and leaves both of you with a positively happy experience.

1. Be flexible in your expectations

Now, you’re obviously not going to walk into a blind date with absolutely no expectations, but you should avoid having very high or low expectations from the date.

Head to the date with an open mind, and try to think of it as if you were going to meet a friend.

If the chemistry clicks and both of you get smitten by each other, that’s good for you. And if not, you won’t feel disappointed walking away from the date after meeting a potential friend. [Read: 78 cute signs of attraction to know a guy is catching feelings and falling hard]

2. Bug your matchmaker

Try to get to know as much as you can about your date from your matchmaker if it’s a friend who’s setting both of you up.

Even if your friend’s trying to build the suspense by hushing all details, ask your friend to tell you more about their personality so you know what to talk about during the date.

3. Don’t stand a blind date up

If you can’t make it to the date on time, make sure you let your date know about it at least a few hours before the date. And apologize profusely for it too.

Standing someone up on a date is bad karma, and it’s not something you should ever do. [Read: Getting stood up on a date – ways to avoid it and get back at them]

4. Have a nice time

When it comes to a blind date, the surprise is part of the package. Sometimes, it may be a pleasant surprise, and at other times, it may be a less-than-pleasant experience. But nevertheless, plaster a smile on your face and try to have the best time you can with each other.

You never know, just when you think your date is the last person you’d want to go out with, you may start to see a few charming shared interests that may bring both of you really close in no time.

5. Don’t be rude

Your date has taken a lot of time off from their life to spend it with you. Respect that thought and your date.

Even if you find your date boring or someone who’s on the opposite end of your perfect definition of a lover, don’t treat them with disrespect. Be pleasant and finish the date with a happy memory, even if it wasn’t a perfect fairytale ending.

6. Leave your insecurities at home

If you walk into a blind date thinking about all of your insecurities, how scared you are of your date seeing them, and how they will turn them off, your date is going to read that all across your face.

Your date doesn’t know who you are… Think of all the possibilities that come with this! They don’t know that you have any insecurities *even though we all do*.

So you can walk in with your head held high and as if there is nothing about yourself that you don’t like, and they’ll be inclined to think the same thing.

7. Be open to conversations

To help your date feel at ease immediately, talk about yourself, your likes, and your dislikes. On a blind date, both of you may have no idea about each other, so help each other open up by asking the right questions.

Just so you know, work or leisure activities are always a good start for happy conversations. [Read: 72 first date questions, conversation starters, and things you should never ask]

8. Make it your mission to learn about your date

When you’re forced into an intimate setting with a stranger, it can be easy to let the awkwardness get the better of you. Usually, the worst blind dates are so bad because they immediately descend into awkward small talk and uncomfortable silences.

The best way to prevent that from happening to you is to ask your date about themselves. That might sound obvious, but we mean really ask. Don’t interrogate the poor person, but make it your mission to find out about them.

You don’t know anything about them after all. Use this as an opportunity to find out as much about this mystery person as you can *without coming across too interrogatory!*.

9. Don’t get too personal

We promise we’re not full of contradictions! Although you should get to know your date as well as you can, there is a middle ground between not talking at all and asking questions that are way too personal for a first date.

Some topics to avoid on a blind date are family, relationship history, politics, finances, etc. However, although it’s a good idea to avoid these topics, these aren’t steadfast rules.

If you find that the conversation naturally veers to any of these topics and you’re both feeling comfortable, then by all means, go where the conversation takes you.

But it’s usually a good idea to avoid topics that can be personal or potentially touch on personal beliefs. [Read: How to behave on a first date – 28 tips to impress anyone in minutes]

10. Dress smart and casual

Blind dates are tricky affairs when it comes to dressing up. If you’ve been set up on a date with someone you don’t know, don’t make your blind date feel awkward or uncomfortable because you’ve underdressed or overdressed for the blind date.

Dress casually, but let your date see that you’ve made the effort to look presentable and attractive.

11. Wear something you love

Maybe in your day-to-day style, you just don’t do casual. There’s no point getting dulled up in drab and boring clothes just to blend in if you want to stand out with your outfits!

Your blind date knows absolutely nothing about you. So, don’t pretend to be someone you’re not. Also, by wearing clothes that you feel comfortable in, you’ll feel so much more at ease and confident within yourself.

12. Don’t be fake

Going off of the last point, don’t be a liar and a fake just to impress your blind date. If you get fascinated by your date and want to make sure that your date likes you, be warm and interesting. But don’t ever lie blatantly just to win them over.

After all, even if things do work out perfectly on the blind date, your lies may eventually end any chance of a possible romantic relationship. [Read: How to be yourself – 26 steps to un-fake your life and love being you]

13. Watch the wine

We get it, nerves are high on a blind date. If you feel like you need a drink or two just to steady the nerves, then go for it. But do not become sloppy drunk on a blind date! It doesn’t exactly leave the best impression of you in your date’s mind. Plus, you don’t want to wake up to hangxiety.

14. Don’t be overly sexual

Just because it’s a blind date doesn’t mean you should treat the date lightly or disrespectfully.

If you’re meeting someone on a blind date, remember this isn’t an arrangement to have quick sex. Respect your date and play it slow. If things do go the sexual way, well, good for you. If it doesn’t, well, dating isn’t all about sex, is it? [Read: Friendly vs. flirty – 34 subtle flirting signs to tell if someone is flirting with you]

15. Find the hilarity in the situation

Who said that dating has to be serious? There’s nothing wrong with laughing with your date about how weird it feels to be in such an intimate space with someone you’ve never met before.

Or if you find that your personalities, hobbies, or lifestyles clash heavily with each other, break the ice and joke about it! No one is telling you to walk into a blind date with a stern and stoic attitude. In fact, your date will appreciate you for finding the humorous bright side in an awkward situation.

16. Be open-minded

If you’ve got pretty close-minded ideas about other people’s political or religious beliefs, or have a long checklist of turn-offs, hold all of those at the door before your blind date.

You don’t know anything about this person. They might believe or act in a way that you’ve never seen before. And there’s nothing wrong with that! Maybe you’ll fall in love with this person for their differences. If not, then at least you would’ve learned something new from the experience.

17. Think of the perfect place to meet beforehand

If you’re unsure about your blind date or don’t want to be stuck having a seven-course dinner with someone you may not see again, it’s better to meet your date at someplace where you can walk away within thirty minutes if you’re certain the date won’t work out.

The perfect blind date location is a coffee shop. If both of you like each other and hit it off immediately, you can make plans to take the date forward to dinner or lunch at a nearby restaurant.

If you’re not comfortable on the date, walk away as soon as you finish your coffee. [Read: Where to go on a first date – 85 best first date ideas that are fun and romantic]

18. Do something new and fun

While we’re on the topic of dating locations, maybe consider getting creative. The dinner date, although classic, is way overdone. And as simple and effective as a coffee date is, it can sometimes be hard to break the ice and truly feel comfortable around your blind date.

So, why not try an activity date? Suggest going to a fair, the aquarium, or bowling.

Blind dates can be incredibly awkward, and not everyone is a conversational pro who is good at breaking the ice with others. If you have a shared experience, you’ll be able to connect and bond with this stranger a lot easier. Plus, you’ll stand out in their mind as being a fun and interesting person.

19. Be cautious

Even if the person who set both of you up is a good friend, it’s always good to be cautious. Don’t give away too much information about yourself or let your guard down and invite them home.

Remember, you don’t know this person yet. Finish your date and go your own way. If things do work out in love’s favor, you can stay connected over the phone and plan the next date.

20. Don’t complain

About your date, about the setting, or about your day. Sure, if you’ve had a crap day and you think that sharing the details could break the ice, go for it.

But no one enjoys spending time with a Negative Nancy. Unless you want to guarantee there won’t be a second date, then go ahead, complain to your heart’s content! But there are far better ways to tell someone you don’t want to see them again than distastefully pushing them away.

21. Leave on a high note

You’ve had an amazing dinner, the chat was flowing, and you’re attracted to your date. The plates have been cleared, and the bill has been paid, and now your date is suggesting that you two get drinks at a nearby bar.

As tempting as it may be to follow the fun, it’s better to leave on a high note. You don’t want to push your luck and drag the date out way too long.

Plus, if you leave the date on a high note, you’ll leave a good impression of yourself in their mind. And if you liked the date and want to see them again, that’s exactly what you want to do!

22. Speak your mind at the end of the date

This is the most important blind date tip you need to keep in mind. Always speak your mind by the end of the date. Don’t leave your blind date hanging by a thread wondering what you felt about them. [Read: How long should a first date last? The exact timing for a good date]

If you enjoyed the date and would love to meet that person again, make sure you express that idea. But if you don’t think you are compatible with each other, express that thought in a friendly and clear manner.

This is important because it will help both of you understand each other’s opinions about the date and prevent any future confusion.

How to deal when blind dating gets awkward

As much as we wish this wasn’t true, blind dating doesn’t always yield results. You absolutely shouldn’t walk into a blind date expecting it to be awkward, uncomfortable, and the worst experience ever. But, it pays to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.

Here’s what you should do to avoid awkwardness on a first blind date:

1. Don’t walk away

If you think you can’t tolerate your date or find your date extremely obnoxious, tell them you don’t like their behavior. Don’t just get up and walk away in the middle of the date. Not all of us are built in pairs to be perfect for each other.

At times, you have to kiss a few frogs to find prince charming. But that doesn’t mean you should walk over all the frogs that didn’t turn into a prince! [Read: How to end a date right away without feeling awkward]

2. Offer to split the bill

Men pay the bills and women stay at home- no! Get those traditional views out of your head!

Dating in the modern era isn’t so concerned with 1950s gender roles. In fact, it’s growing increasingly popular to split the bill on a date.

So don’t ruin a good date by ending it on a sexist note. Instead, offer to split the bill so that what could be an awkward situation is dealt with equally and fairly.

3. Don’t panic about silences

The conversation doesn’t have to be flowing constantly for the date to be a success. Depending on where you are or what you’re doing, you’ll need to be silent sometimes!

If you’re at dinner, you’ll need time to eat, or if you’re at the aquarium, you should have a level of respect for the public and not annoy others with your incessant chit-chat. [Read: 23 first date conversation tips to flirt and impress your date in minutes]

The conversation will pick up again, just give it time! The more you panic about a pause in the conversation, the more you draw attention to it, and the more awkward it becomes.

4. Read your date’s body language at the end of the date

Do you kiss at the end of a blind date? Do you hug, shake hands, or just walk away with an awkward wave? Well, we can’t tell you the answer to that. But your date’s body language will tell you what they want. [Read: Should you kiss on the first date? A guide for girls and guys to plan it right]

If your date is very closed off, crossing their arms or legs, keeping their distance from you, and not making eye contact, then end the date cordially but not affectionately. They either didn’t have a good time or aren’t interested in seeing you again,

But if they’re finding excuses to be close to you, touching you, looking at your lips, and overall keeping their body open, they like you! If you like them too, then test the waters and see how they react to a little hand-holding, a sweet hug, and maybe even a goodbye kiss.

You’ll know what feels right in the moment. [Read: Body language attraction – 58 male and female signs and how to read and use them]

What to do after your blind date

You have two options here:

If the date went well, and you’d like to see them again, let them know! Wait a few minutes, but after a blind date, you should tell them that you had a great time. Hopefully, you would’ve said this at the end of the date anyway, but if you follow up with a text, you can smoothly transition into planning the second date.

If the date went bad and you have no interest in seeing them again, you have nothing to do! As we said, if you weren’t feeling the date, you should be honest and tell them at the end of the date. It’s not mean, it’s actually really kind to not lead someone on.

So, after you’ve told your date that you don’t think a second date is on the cards, there really isn’t anything to do. Except maybe chastise your friend and go looking for a new date!

Blind dating is a fun experience that’s worth having at least once in our lives. Keep these blind dating tips in mind to experience a perfect blind date with someone the next time your friend sets you up. Chances are, you may end up having a lot of fun!