The Blind Date

Last night as I was eating dinner at my favorite Thai restaurant I witnessed a middle aged woman teetering into the bar on super high stiletto heels. She had a on very short skin tight purple dress that she was obviously very uncomfortable in. She kept yanking down the hem as she tried to casually saunter into her bar stool. She looked around nervously and fidgeted with her hair. Moments later a middle aged man in a suit and tie patting at his thinning hair walked in an looked around. Their eyes met. "Are you"....he asked, "you must be"......she said. They both looked pleased and relieved at the same time. Witness, "The Blind Date"....(cue horror movie soundtrack). Although I am happy to report that this one seemed to turn out much better than many I have witnessed or even experienced.
Blind dates are often humiliating. I've only ever been on two and I'm sure both parties were scarred beyond belief (it always seems to slip the mediating parties mind to mention that I'm over six feet tall). The look of terror in a mans eyes as he's looking up at me is more than I can bear. I actually ended a date by going to the bathroom and escaping out the back door (yes, shameful but he wouldn't stop commenting on how big I was.BIG????? Really now).
I guess I just don't get the point. I know you matchmakers out there think you're doing friends a favor setting them up. And yes I do have married friends who actually met on blind dates (gorgeous people I might add). But seriously most of us are attracted to the whole package. We like people that we get to know over time. We appreciate their intelligence and humor.
Blind dates are something I liken to a Hollywood casting call. It's all about the looks. That first impression. Anything off is a deal breaker. Don't tell me otherwise.
All and all I like meeting people at random. A smile at the grocery store. A new friend you meet at a party. A person running in the park. But that's just me. I don't like forced. I like to be found when no one is looking.
But enough said. I'm so glad I'm happily hitched an no longer not looking. But for those of you out there (not looking), just beware of the blind date. You never know what terror is in store. And always plot your escape routes accordingly.
:)