EACH
OF YOU SHOULD HAVE THE OTHER'S PHONE
NUMBER
Do not even consider heading out on
a date to meet someone until you
have their phone number. If they
called you (or if you met through
some method that didn't include the
phone), you have to ask for their
phone number. It's good if they
think of it first and insist you
take the number, but they're just as
likely to overlook it as you
are.
- Getting
a home phone number can be a
little "check" on
whether the person might be
married.
- But
the primary reason to get it is
in case they don't show up for
the first date.
Without the person's phone number,
you don't know what happened.
- Were
they (or their dog or their
child) taken ill?
- Did
a crisis come up at work?
- Did
their house burn down?
- Did
their car break down?
- Did
they get back together with
their ex?
- Did
they just forget and are too
embarrassed to admit it?
If
you had their phone number, you
could find out.
- Without
it, you'll probably never know,
partly because many people would
be too embarrassed to call after
missing an appointment.
And it may very well be that
they only had one copy of your
phone number and no idea what
your last name is, and their
teenager wrote the grocery list
on the other side of that slip
of paper and your number will
never be seen again.
Of course, maybe they had second
thoughts about you, or about
themselves, or about dating at all.
- Maybe
they chickened out.
- Maybe
they saw you walk into the
restaurant and discovered you
look a lot like their ex and
they just couldn't handle it and
snuck out.
Whatever happened, it wasn't a
criminal offense; most likely it was
just human nature.
- Consider
it an important reminder ? never
make a date to meet anyone until
you have their phone number.
Blind dating is only recommended for
people who have a sense of humor and
who have confidence in themselves to
handle any situation that might come
along. It is not recommended for
control freaks, anxious
personalities or individuals that
don't handle disappointment or
rejection well. If you fear going on
a blind date, then don't.
However if you are the type that
likes adventure and a lot of faith
in human beings, then you should
have no trouble meeting someone in
this way.
Many fear a blind date because they
fear that something will go horribly
wrong or that they will be made fun
or that they will spend all night at
the mercy of a psychotic stranger.
This does not have to be the case.
Avoiding disappointment on a first
blind date is easier than it seems.
First of all it is recommended that
you avoid dates that are completely
"blind". Trade emails and
talk on the phone with the
individual first. Do as much
research as you can about the person
without being too nosy. Watch out
for warning signs in their language
and the content of their
conversation. For instance, if they
talk about the bar fight they were
in last night and how many times
they have broken their nose, you
might want to consider the
possibility that your date is
violent. Stay away from people who
talk too much about their ex
partners (especially if it is in a
bitter or resentful way). Also avoid
people who talk about their
addictions, alcoholism or last case
of domestic abuse.
If the blind date was set up for you
by a friend, make sure to get
references and opinions from your
mutual circle of friends.
When arranging where to meet, make
sure it is in a very public place.
Pick somewhere comfortable, but busy
such as a popular restaurant or bar.
Don't invite the person to your home
and don't agree to go to his or her
home.
This is not the time to suggest a
highly unusual excursion, such as a
trip to the amusement park or a
hang-gliding. Keep your activities
together as temperate and casual as
possible. It is also not the
occasion to suggest trying an exotic
cuisine or unfamiliar food.
Although blind dates are all about
creating a good first impression,
that doesn't mean that you should go
overboard when it is time to dress
up. Remember that if you intend to
see this person again that you might
have to keep up the facade if you
decided to present yourself as the
type that wears high-heels and a
power suit full-time.
