If you’ve ever met up with a dating app match for the first time, you might think you know a thing or two about blind dates.

But a true blind date isn’t just a first encounter with someone you’ve never met in person. It’s much more mysterious than that — and while the result is sometimes disastrous, it could change your life for the better.

What are blind dates — and why does anyone go on them?

A blind date is a social encounter where two individuals meet for the first time without having interacted in any way. That means no seeing pictures and no talking online. 

Typically arranged by a mutual friend, matchmaker, or your mom, blind dates are a leap of faith. The only thing you might know about your date is their name — if you even get that much information ahead of time.

Sounds a little scary, right? But even in the online dating era, some people continue to schedule blind dates. And for some good reasons.

While online dating has made it much easier than it used to be to find a last-minute date, app burnout is real. Scrolling through profiles can be exhausting and discouraging. And as apps like Tinder become more overrun with bots, wannabe influencers, and people who choose matches based solely on height and appearance, blind dates offer a refreshing alternative to a digital-first approach.

Blind dates also open the door to people outside of your usual social or work circles. You’ll go out with a person you might never have otherwise met. Someone who presumably knows you well saw qualities they thought would resonate with you — so even though your date is a stranger, they have the potential to be well worth the risk.

3 benefits of a blind date 

If online dates aren’t doing it for you, here are some benefits that might open your mind to blind dating.

1. A chance to step outside your comfort zone

Unconventional approaches like speed dates and blind dates break your regular dating patterns, pushing you to step outside your comfort zone and interact with people you might not typically consider. Even if you don’t feel a spark, you still challenged yourself, and that’s a success on its own.

2. The element of surprise

If you have a habit of pulling background checks and stalking a prospective date’s socials before your first meeting, a blind date might be the reset you need. Without preconceived notions of what someone’s like, the date has the potential to be much more exciting and unpredictable.

3. The potential for a genuine connection

Dating apps have trained many people to make snap judgments based on looks or a person’s ability to sell themselves in just a few hundred characters. But what you see on the screen can’t even come close to painting the full picture. Getting to know someone in person on a blind date can foster more genuine, organic connections.

3 ideas for a fun blind date 

Meeting for drinks or coffee is always an option for any kind of date. But planning a fun activity like the ideas below will reduce some of the awkwardness of sitting face-to-face with someone you’ve never met before.

1. Go mini-golfing

Everyone loves a round of mini golf. It gives you the opportunity for some fun, light-hearted competition — and it’s perfect for people who don’t know what to do with their hands.

2. Take a cooking class

Instead of jumping straight to a dinner date, take a couples’ cooking class and craft your meal together. You’ll pick up some new culinary skills while learning each other’s tastes — literally. The initial activity will serve as an icebreaker, and by the time you’re ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor, you’ll both be a little more relaxed and ready to chat.

3. Get outside

Take a hike. Go for a stroll in the park. Enjoy a picnic on the beach. Getting out in nature eases tension and fosters more relaxed conversations. Just make sure your outdoor date is in a heavily populated place for the first meeting — you can explore more remote areas together once they’ve earned your trust.

The dos and don’ts of blind dates

We won’t pretend blind dates aren’t intimidating, even when you have a few under your belt. But keeping these first date dos and don’ts in mind will help you understand the rules of the game.

Do: Arrive on time

Punctuality is a sign of respect and sets a positive tone for the rest of your time together. It tells your date that you’re reliable and value their time.

Do: Be open-minded

Approach the date with an open mind. The matchmaking happened because someone who knows you saw potential, and you might be surprised by what kinds of connections you can build when you open your mind to the unknown.

Do: Engage in active listening

Show genuine interest in your date. Turn off your phone and listen to what the other person has to say, asking questions and using body language to show that you’re fully engaged. 

Pro tip: Keep this advice in mind even if you’re meeting someone from a dating app — this is how to act on any first date.

Do: Ask questions

Conversation comes easily to some people. For others, it takes a little while to warm up. Here are some blind date questions to get you both talking:

• Have you ever been on a blind date before?

• What’s your love language?

• If you could time travel, which decade would you visit and why?

• Do you have any quirky talents most people don’t know about?

• What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?

• What’s one book or movie that changed the way you think?

Do: Trust your instincts

If something feels off, it’s okay to end the date early. Don’t stick it out until the end just because you’re worried about backlash from the person who set you up — your safety and comfort should always be your top priority.

Don’t: Share too much too soon

Oversharing is a no-no on any first date, whether you’re meeting a Bumble match or the doctor-son of your mom’s tennis partner from the country club. Be open, but not too open. Don’t treat your date with suspicion, but stick to your own personal privacy policy, revealing details gradually as trust builds between the two of you.

Don’t: Be overly critical

Avoid making snap judgments based on first impressions. Remember, those first moments are just as awkward for them as they are for you. Unless the situation feels unsafe, give your date time to get comfortable enough to show you who they really are before writing them off.

Don’t: View a lack of connection as a failure

Not every blind date will be a home run. The experience might be awkward or even downright weird. But if you approach the experience with a positive attitude, you can hone your dating skills and learn new things about yourself even if you don’t wind up scheduling a second date — and a “dating fail” can make for a funny story after the fact.

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