ILLUSTRATION B

Blind
Datin

Better information can
lead to more successful
dates — if the right
person sets you up.

CI)

LLJ

C/)

LU

CC
I-
LL!

LU

F-

5 0

here did the term
"blind date" even
come from?
There are so many
things wrong with this
phrase, I'm almost
afraid to start. For one,
"blind" can connote
many ideas: You'd bet-
ter be blind if you're in-
tent on dating that
person. Or they'll think
you're so ugly, they won't -
want to look at you. Or
you'd better stay oblivi-
ous to all of his little
faults. Or love is only skin
deep (read: there's noth-
ing below the surface).
None of these descrip-
tions makes for an appealing
date. Still, the term prevails, and
so does the practice.
Having lived in other cities,
I've learned that blind dating is
a very Michigan phenomenon.
My friends out East think I'm
nuts to accept an invitation from
a guy my friend's grandmother
picked out.
So why do any of us do it?

Personally, I remain open to family friend of Stacey's and an
blind dating because my parents aunt of Larry's.
met on a blind date. I remember
Although Mrs. Milen says she
being on the verge of canceling my was "not really that enthused
first-ever blind date, about 41/2 about it," she figured, "Why not?
years ago; when my dad said, "If It's just one date; it couldn't hurt."
it weren't for a blind date, you
Apparently, she was right.
wouldn't be here." Good point.
Perhaps Jewish Michiganders
But as to why other people con- remain open to blind dating be-
tinue to join the throngs of blind cause they're tired of the same-
daters — you got me.
old, same-old, figuring
"I think it has to
they socialize in the
do with people get-
same small circles
ting a kick out of set-
and already know
ting people up," says
everyone.
Kari Provizer, who
From that perspec-
heads the Beshert
tive, a fix-up can't
Connection at Tem-
hurt — you could ac-
ple Israel. "It's the ex-
tually meet someone
citement of it.
new.
Everyone wants to
"I want my friends
see everyone else
to get married so I can
happy — and when LYNNE MEREDITH COHN hang out with them,
are you happier than
do couple things,"
STAFF WRITER
when you're in love?"
says Jeff Reiter, gen-
Stacey and Larry Milen met eral manager of the new dating
on a blind date. "I wasn't really service called A New Beginning,
looking to be set up; it kind of just Video Introductions Inc. He sug-
fell into my lap," says Mrs. Milen. gests that some of Detroit's Jews
The pair found each other thanks arrange set-ups because they like
to the matchmaking efforts of a to watch their friends squirm.

Tina Farentino, president of A
New Beginning, says it's possi-
ble that people set up their
friends for the surprise, to see if
they'll like each other. But she
says it's more likely there is a
simple desire to help your friends.
"They figure they know their
friends well; they know who their
partners should be," says Ms.
Farentino.
"As opposed to big cities, this
is such a concentrated area and
a safe area to meet people in a re-
liable and consistent environ-
ment," says Stacey Rautbort, a
clinical social worker at Jewish
Family Service and sometime
matchmaker for her friends.
In a big city, you never know
what, or who, you're going to get.
"Not sure if you're going to get
someone who's dangerous or
threatening ... being in the Jew-
ish community and being in the
Detroit area, you're less likely to
come across someone who would
put you in a dangerous setting,"
says Ms. Rautbort.
The best part of being set up
within Detroit's Jewish commu-

