should I go on the blind date or not?

[Daktaklakpak]

Every year at school we have a dance called the Viennese Ball. It's fairly costly--75 bucks per couple and you have to rent formal wear, meaning tuxes for the guys.

So I'm a graduate student in EE taking a lasers class. One of my lab partners came up to me after lecture today and told me that one of his friends was looking for a date to go to the Viennese Ball with. He claims that she's cool and cute, but of course he has to since he's trying to sell the idea of going on the date to me. He thought we would be a good match because I'm "young and non-sketchy" (I'm only a second year grad and I went to grad school straight after college). I told him I would think about it.

Here's what I know about the girl:
*she's a senior (which is about the right age, I guess)
*her major is electrical engineering (hmm...could be a bad sign)

I'm supposed to reply by Tuesday next week. So should I say yes or no?
Some other things to consider:
*my dorm is willing to subsidize couples going to the ball, taking the $75 down to $55
*I just recently got a stipend raise of $100/month for passing my Ph.D. quals, so I won't have problems with money

What do tuxedo rentals run at? $100 sound about right? I'll have to factor that in too.

And would it be bad to somehow figure out how to meet the girl first, before deciding? If she turns out to be ugly or something I would feel bad about saying no right after meeting her. My lab partner told me her first name, and I've already searched the school's website for pictures of her, but no luck...

And maybe I should try to finagle my way into getting the girl to pay for everything? What do you guys think? Even though I can afford to go, I'm still a cheap-ass and this is an awfully expensive blind date.

 

[pulse8]

Have lunch with her first and then decide.

There's no reason you should shell out that kind of cash to take someone you're not going to have fun with.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Daktaklakpak, if you don't have plans for the night, I say go for it. If the girl isn't your taste, find someone else at the dance.

 

[yobarman]

i've had bad experiences with blind dates. It's a big risk you're taking, she could be repulsive!

 

[HardcoreRobot]

Since there is quite a bit of $$$ involved, maybe you should make a deal with the guy setting you two up. If the date goes well, great. But if not, then he has to fork out the dough (or a portion of it) to help compesate your loss. If you are going to make as great of a couple as the friend thinks you are, then he has nothing to lose

 

[AUMM]

ive never seen a cute EE chick , but u never know

 

[Sluggo]

In the long run $150 is nothing.

We have so many Romeos here that are willing to dump a girl that isnt a "hottie"

Meet the girl for coffee or something before the dance so you will have at least met her and broken the ice before the dance. Even if she is ugly (and of course you are a Brad Pitt look-alike) Go anyway, who knows she might be great fun, and you would have a great evening out.

Maybe you could be a gentleman and pay for the date, and if you have a bad time, consider it a lesson well learned. Believe it or not, lots of people meet on blind dates, and really hit it off.

The most amazing thing is you are a grad student and cant make this "difficult" decision for yourself.

 

[Daktaklakpak]

Zim, you really think I can just find someone else at the dance? It's supposed to be a formal...it might not be that easy to get away. Also, it's a ballroom dance format. Swing, salsa, I don't know any of that sh$#t!

Mushroom, LOL, I like your idea. Maybe I should draw up a contract with the guy.

AUMM, all I have to say is, at least she's an undergrad...in a statistical sense she's probably better than most of the chicks that I see in my grad engineering classes...how sad I am.......so deprived! Should have been a history major.

 

[JMaster]

If the money don't hurt you, I'd say just go and have fun... Don't expect too much but make the most out of it and you'll have a blast.

 

[CSoup]

Man, you are lucky enough to have a girl want to go out with you and you are not taking the offer? Who cares what the girl looks like. She might be the one for you.

 

[murphy55d]

I would never go on a blind date.

 

[The Dancing Peacock]

don't be a chump...take the girl and have fun...meet her for lunch before hand just to get the whole "break the ice" thing out of the way...

 

[udonoogen]

i say go. =)

 

[weezergirl]

if u are that cheap and worried about her looks than don't go, unless u are a geeky EE student yourself then u should prolly go, what are the odds u will get another date so easily!

 

[rgwalt]

Go for it... Ask her to pay for half the ticket to the dance though. You'll pay for your tux rental, and she has to get a dress, so it evens out. However, if you can split the ticket, its a good deal. If you two don't hit it off, then you are out an evening and some cash, but if you do hit it off, then you are set. Think about it like this... meeting someone in grad school can be VERY tough. There aren't as many opportunities to meet girls in an engineering PhD program for the simple fact that they guy to girl ratio is very poor. In my first year class in chemical engineering there are 6 girls and 12 guys. 2:1 already. Out of the girls, 3 are chinese international students with a huge language barrier, 1 is engaged, the other 2 are either unavailable or not someone you would want to date. The trend continues as you move into the upper classes. It may not be like that in your program, but do you really want to miss an opportunity?

Ryan

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

You're an Anandtech freak, how big are the chances you will ever get another date? Go for it!