I’ve been on more face palm blind dates than there are frozen peas in a packet.
These ‘Surviving Blind Date’ tips will make you a pro in no time.
Pick the right restaurant and you’re sorted, even if the date is a disaster, you’ll always remember the food – which will make for a wicked blog post.
A speedy Facebook or Twitter stalk is always of paramount importance – I introduce the Top 3 types:
1. The Hipster
2. The Manly oke (as they say in Joburg)
3. The Creative
Choose the type, then pick the appropriate restaurant and whether Cupid decides to aim that pointy arrow at your heart or not – a good meal will always be guaranteed.
The Hipster Blind Dinner Date
He wears check shirts buttoned neck high. His slick side-parted hair sits just right & you envy his Wayfarer specs. Log onto Facebook – ‘computer says yes’.
No need to wash your hair for this one but book a table at The Foundry @FoundryCafe in Parktown North, Jozi Town.
Hipsters love a bit of Foundry action – craft beer on tap – tick, charcuterie boards that make your heart flutter – tick, appropriate mood lighting without it being awkward (you are strangers after all) – tick.
Back to Charcuterie boards – sweet cheeses they’re good! So good, you won’t care about the dull conversation, just order a second board and wash it down with a Jack Black. Overall rating – take your hipsters to The Foundry, the charcuterie will change your life, even if their side-parting doesn’t.
The Creative Blind Dinner Date
The creative/ artsy/ inner city type. Again – no need to wash the hair, just slip on a pair of your best Converse and head into town to Jozi’s best hotdog joint – Great Dane @fknGreatDane of course.
If smacking ‘The Hunter’ – a dog with lashings of chilli paste, mature cheddar cheese, caramelised onions and sliced jalapenos doesn’t make a boy fall in love with you while sipping a cold beer… well I just don’t know!
Mr Creative might not blow your mind but Great Danes’ dogs sure will.
The Manly ‘Oke’ Blind Dinner Date
If you’re a single girl in Jozi Town you’ve probably been on a date with an ‘oke’ – those manly guys who love their sport, love their beer and like to braai.
You have to go with the meaty option here ladies – okes usually aren’t vegetarians. Smashing burgers or steaks the size of your face is OK in this scenario.
Hello Local Grill. Their Ultimate Steak Sandwich saved my life – literally. The date was hideous, the oke’s only concern was the size of his mags – thank heavens for large ‘sammiches’ – they can’t see you rolling your eyes.
The moral of the story? Blind dates can go either way but remember – there’s a restaurant for every type of dinner date – disastrous or not, pick wisely for ultimate success.
By Leila Saffarian – follow her on Twitter @LeilaSaffa