Many, many years ago, in the days when marriages were arranged without the couple seeing each other until the big day, an aunt of mine got married to a handsome gentleman. It was their Suhaag Raat, and he lifted her ghungat. What he saw made his heart lurch. He stood up, shaken, walked to the window and jumped four stories to his death.

The next generation progressed by a step, with photographs being exchanged or couples taking a peek at each other before giving an answer.

And now The Age of The Blind Date has dawned.

This concept has slowly crept into the Indian scenario, with of course, the desi matrimonial touch. The couple meet, chat for a while, and if they click, they meet again - and again, before deciding whether they want to step into holy matrimony. These are still not the most pleasant experiences - but they need not be the horrifying episodes they are touted as. They can even be fun, if taken in the right spirit.

Do your homework

Find out the basics of the person before you agree to go on the date. If you are an animal activist and he's in the leather or fur trade, you don't need to be a genius to figure out it's not going to be a runner.

Be nice

Even if you don't like the person sitting across the table, there's no need to make it apparent. People are people and their feelings are precious, just like yours.

Don't be overtly blase

So you are not very comfortable with the idea of being fixed up by Masiji. This doesn't mean you show up with ratted jeans and an oversized orange shirt with Om printed in huge neon lettering. Shower, dress up well and prepare like you would for any evening out.

Knock 'im dead

On the other hand, if you were really looking forward to this particular date, don't appear desperate (even if you are!) and go the full Monty. Think smart. You're a woman of the millennium and know what you want - whether it's a man or a job. And you've got to make an effort to get it. So make sure you look good without looking like you're trying too hard. Skip the nail polish, stick to a lighter shade of lipstick and go easy on the eye shadow. Lose your moustache, bushy eyebrows and style your hair well.

Don't beat yourself up

If things don't progress beyond the first date, don't wonder what you said or did wrong. Sometimes two great people just aren't right for each other. That doesn't mean either one is the lesser person, and it is not a reflection on you.

Experience counts

If the date is a disaster, chalk it up to experience. Circumstances, events and the people you come across make you the person you are. The more kinds of people you come across, the more enriched your personality. You learn something from everyone.

Not impressed with his looks

If your well-meaning aunt fixes you up with a friend's son and drops the classic 'Looks Are Not Everything' phrase, you know you're headed for trouble. He could be anything from average to a cross between Dracula and Frankenstein. So what do you doNULL Sit and sulk in a corner, refuse to make any conversation and keep looking at your watch Bad, bad girl! It's two hours of your life, for Pete's sake! No one says you have to meet him again, but that person might be a nice human being. He might have something interesting to say. Fine, you've decided you're not going to have sex with him. Ever. But surely two hours over dinner with another human being is something you can handle without rolling your eyes. And if you can't, you're not much of a person Frankenstein deserves someone better anyway.

Chalk and cheese

His interests may hugely differ from yours. This is a good thing. Maybe he's a literary kinda guy who enjoys reading Greek mythology, and you consider reading the daily headlines a momentous task. Don't think of it as a problem. Be interested in what he has to say - you may learn some fascinating stuff - that's what conversation is all about!

Short and sweet

Make it short. Blind dates are best kept in the evening, over a cup of coffee. If you click, great. You can meet each other again, over dinner. If you don't, then at least you're out of there in a hurry.

Many fish in the ocean

Remember, you're shopping, not buying. Don't go with any pre-conceived notions, either positive or negative. Go with an open mind and be willing to listen, learn and have a nice time. If you like what you see, go for it girl! If you don't, hey, shop elsewhere!