Blind dates, including those with people you connect with online, can be an excellent way to meet people.

Much like any date, the chemistry might be there or it could be a little more of a miss than a hit.

To prepare and enjoy yourself, there are a few things you can do.

1. Meet in a public place.

Think safety first. Meet in a mutual location, a popular spot where there are plenty of people around. If after meeting, there is something that alerts you or makes you feel uneasy, don’t ignore that feeling, and excuse yourself early.

Call it intuition or your own monitor, trust it, it tells you when to be wary of people or situations.

2. Try a short date first.

When you are meeting someone for the first time, consider a getting-acquainted kind of date – meet for coffee or a drink, maybe lunch.

This way, if you don’t hit it off, the short activity can come to an end and you can say good-bye to each other.If you pick a more traditional type of evening date, dinner, movie, or theatre.

Take the chance of spending a pretty long evening with someone who you may not see eye to eye with. If the short date works out, you can make plans to see each other again.

3. Wear a favorite outfit that makes you feel great.

You want to feel comfortable and confident on a blind date, so choose an outfit that you know works for you. Stay away from anything too daring, too tight, or too flashy.

4. Come up with a few good conversation starters.

Before the date, consider a few humorous stories, some open-ended questions or some recent experiences you’d like to share.

Maybe you’ve realized before actually going on a blind date that your partner is a movie buff.  Then all you have to do is try to think about some of your favorite movies and movie stories that you feel might be conversation starters.

Perhaps, the two of you like the same baseball team, be sure to talk about some of your memories or experiences about being a fan of that team.

5. Enjoy a mutual conversation

Even if you have good stories and experiences to share, make sure to let your date have plenty of time to talk. Be a good listener and encourage your date to share with understanding and a warm smile.

Pay attention to what you are saying, too. Do not fill the conversation with all the things you know, have and do. And, don’t drop names of all the important people you supposedly know. And, do not talk about your ex – no one wants to hear that story on a first day.

6. Relax

It is easier to put your best foot forward if you are able to relax a little before you head out on this first date.

Know that you are an amazing person, that you are good enough, and even if you don’t hit it off with this date, that it really is not a reflection on you.

Nervous habits may distract you and your date from having a good time. Don’t text or talk on your cell phone during your date.

7. Visualize a great date.

Before your date, sit back, relax and visualize how you would like it to turn out. See yourself having a good time with a relaxed easiness as you chat with this new friend.

Even if you don’t particularly like your new date, you can enjoy yourself and think of it as a practice date. Be cheerful and smile, radiating positive energy will do you and your date some good.

This positive energy makes you more attractive, too.