Blind dates are romantic meetups between two people who have never met before arranged by someone else—a mutual friend, relative or matchmaker. Maybe your best friend at work thinks you’ll really hit it off with her cute single brother. Or your mom wants you to meet up with her neighbor’s unattached daughter because she thinks you’d be perfect for each other. Perhaps you sign up for a matchmaking service and let the pros work their magic.
No matter how you get there, taking the leap into blind dating can be a really rewarding experience—especially if you’re feeling burnt out on the apps and websites. Here are 11 key benefits of going on a blind date.
1. It’s a great option for busy professionals who don’t have time to swipe on dating apps.
Dating apps and sites are time-consuming, from setting up your profile and swiping through other people’s profiles, to sending and answering messages with potential partners. In fact, according to a 2018 survey, millennials in particular spend an average of 10 hours per week on dating platforms. Getting set up on a blind date, by contrast, takes just a few hours—and most of that time is spent actually going on the date.
2. It enables you to meet people without having preconceived expectations.
When you go on a blind date, you’re almost definitely going into the meetup sight unseen. Aside from the fact that someone thinks you and the other person would be great for each other, you likely don’t have much more information. This allows you to go into the date without making any judgments based on the person’s appearance, hobbies or other life details. In turn, the person you’re on a date with doesn’t have any preconceived notions about you either, enabling both of you to approach the date from a fresh perspective.
3. It takes away the possibility of game-playing and duplicity.
Blind dating is straightforward, especially when compared to online dating. According to a recent survey about dating apps, 71% of users believe that it’s common for people to lie in to make themselves seem more attractive, and research shows that 80% have outright lied on their profiles or in messages. Plus, when you consider that half of the people using these apps talk to as many as 5 people at once—and some even juggle as many as 11—there’s not a lot of focus on building a one-on-one connection the way there is with blind dating.
4. It encourages you to date outside your type.
Letting someone else set you up on a blind date lets you expand your horizons in ways you may not have when you’re choosing your own potential partners. Although your dating profile settings may weed out people based on their looks or their hobbies, going on a blind date helps you meet someone with similar life goals and values, which are more important requisites for finding lasting love.
5. It’s an opportunity for more curated matches.
You’ll also have the benefit of working with an unbiased third party to help you find a potential partner when you opt for blind dating. Going through a matchmaker or even a trusted friend lets you have someone specifically choose a match for you based on your goals and wants instead of relying on an algorithm. Plus, having this person facilitate dates puts someone in your corner who you can lean on for advice and support.
6. It helps you meet people who have the same relationship goals as you.
Research shows that only 54% of people who use dating apps (or have in the past) are legitimately looking for love. (In fact, one survey shows that 34% of people use these platforms for fun, and 26% use them to seek out casual sex.) When you go on a blind date, you know that the other person is serious about building a romantic future. This means less time wasted and more opportunities to find your forever partner.
7. It’s a great way to jump back into the dating scene.
If you’ve ended a long-term relationship, gotten divorced or become widowed, entering the online dating scene can be overwhelming. Dating again, in general, may even be a bit daunting for you. Going on a one-on-one date with someone specifically chosen for you may feel more comfortable—and gratifying—than having to learn all the “rules” and idiosyncrasies of navigating dating apps.
8. It’s less frustrating (and less deflating) than online dating.
Online dating can be mentally taxing. According to research, 45% of people feel frustrated by their experience using sites and apps, and only 25% feel hopeful about finding love. Even if you don’t meet the love of your life on your first blind date, you’re likely being paired with someone who is at least a solid match—plus you get to practice meeting someone new, and you can really hone in on what you’re looking for. These better-targeted dating experiences are more rewarding than scrolling profiles and sending messages that may lead nowhere.
9. It can be more exciting than online dating.
Given the frustrations and burnout people feel with online dating, blind dating is a great alternative because it’s pure anticipation. You get to meet someone specially selected for you by someone you trust, sight unseen. Even if you don’t make a love connection, you at least know that the person you’re going out with will be someone actually worth meeting.
10. It allows you to actually meet someone in person.
Blind dates are actual IRL meet-ups where you can really get to know someone. People spend a lot of time on dating apps, but research shows that nearly a quarter of people using them have never gone on more than a date or two, and 17% of men and 24% of women haven’t met anyone in person at all.
11. It may lead to lasting love.
Blind dating could be a really effective way to find your forever person. It enables you to meet someone specifically selected for you in person, sidestepping any game-playing. Blind dating also doesn’t come with many of the pitfalls of apps, such as unmet expectations or people stretching the truth about who they are or what they want in a relationship. One date could lead to more dates, a relationship and even marriage down the line.
Now that you know the many benefits of blind dating, it may be time to consider trying it out for yourself. Work with a Tawkify matchmaker to find someone compatible so you can cut to the chase and meet a potential partner who can truly meet your needs.
