So you’re on a date and it’s not going the way that you want it to go. The conversation is lacking, the chemistry isn’t there, there’s no spark, and it’s just not right between the two of you.

As a man, you start getting annoyed because you made reservations, you took her to this nice restaurant, you spent money on movie tickets, or you ordered a nice bottle of wine. Or if you’re a woman, you’re sitting there and you’re just not having fun. The guy is just so boring, and you could be out with your girlfriends right now.

But really, so what if you don’t have chemistry? It doesn’t matter because this is somebody who’s also single and bored. This is another person to get to know, and networking is what it’s all about. Putting yourself out there and getting know people, even if it’s not your next boyfriend or girlfriend, is what it’s all about. It doesn’t matter that you don’t have chemistry, so don’t let it get your evening down.

It doesn’t really matter. What you’ve got to do in this situation is you’ve got to learn how to turn the bad date into the good date.

Look at it this way: if another person is sitting across from you, you’re stuck with that person for the evening. Your options are to either waste away the night and learn nothing and gain nothing—or you can make the most of it and get to know this person and see if it’s someone worth adding to your social network.

So don’t be an idiot, don’t be rude, don’t look at your watch over and over again just because you two aren’t clicking romantically. Don’t look down at your phone every five minutes and hope that someone texts you. Don’t leave the table and come back and make up some phony excuse to get out of there. Don’t be inconsiderate to your date just because you haven’t found the love of your life. Have a good time with that person. It’s the evening and you’re out having fun, so enjoy the moment and you’ll carry that good energy with you down the road. You’ll look back and actually be able to say to yourself that you had a good evening, a good weekend, and you know how to create a fun time.

First Date Nightmares

Then, at the end of your date, look at them and say, “Hey I really enjoyed this, I had a good time, but I don’t see you and I really going forward together. I just don’t think we have that chemistry, but you’re an interesting person and I’m sure we can network and make something happen with the people we know. You know what, I like to throw barbecues and dinner parties every now and then. Why don’t you get a few of your single friends, and I’ll get together a few of my single friends, and we’ll throw everyone together next weekend and see what happens!”

Now you’ve left having made a good impression, your ex-date will hype you up to their friends about how nice of a person you are, and they will all be incredibly eager to meet this great person they’ve been hearing about.

It’s all about the power of networking, and you never know what lies ahead for you down the road.