I think if you are confident going into a first date and treat it as if you are meeting a new friend then it will be less uncomfortable.
As for chemistry, yes sometimes there is chemistry on a first date & sometimes not. As with my current boyfriend, I wouldn't say there was really any significant chemistry for me on our first date. We had been talking on the phone for 7 months before we met so we were like old friends by the time we met in person. So, I spent a lot of time just trying to equate this man in front of me with the man I talked with on the phone twice a week for 7 months.
On our second date there was definitely chemistry going on. So, I think just because there isn't chemistry on the first date you should write off a second date. You may pass up someone who is really great
