The novelty of any first date is more than enough to get anyone’s nerves fired up but the element of surprise typically serves to make blind dates far more intimidating than usual. On the bright side, however, the uncertainty and the allure of mysterious possibilities make blind dates far more exciting than your average first date. If someone you know has offered to set you up, don’t be too quick to decline the invitation since you never know what fate may have in store for you.

PROS:

* Blind dates are typically organized by someone that both singles personally know. Whether you are being set up by a friend or a family member, the matchmaker is in a position to speculate about how compatible you and your date may be based on what your friend/family member knows about each of you. If you trust that person then you can probably trust their judgment in this regard as well.

* If you have a tendency to be attracted to a particular type of person that hasn’t proven to be healthy for your love life, this is an opportunity to give something different a try. Sometimes those closest to us know what we need even better than we know it ourselves.

* There is no room for pre-conceived judgments. The more you know about the person you are preparing to date, the more likely you are to imagine what that person and the experience will be like, which can easily lead to disappointment if the date doesn’t live up to your expectations. Blind dates force you to wait and see what may happen so that there is more of an opportunity for you to be happily surprised.

* Since you were both set up by the same person, you’ll have at least one thing in common and can use that as a springboard for conversation.

CONS:

* It will be awkward but then again, what first date isn’t?

* It is possible that there may be no physical attraction or chemistry between you and your date. If this is the case, just make the best of it and maybe you’ll end up making a new friend at the very least.