Thoughts of playing matchmaker went through my head this past weekend when a friend asked me about one of my friends he had recently met.

After gushing about how great she was, I seriously considered trying to set something up between the two of them.

That quickly disappeared, however. In my experience, setting people up rarely works out.

Look at the dating shows dedicated to doing just that. The only "Bachelor" couple to work out has been from "The Bachelorette." Nothing came of Evan and Zora from "Joe Millionaire" and look at the disastrous results on "Blind Date."

I doubt the newest installment of "The Bachelor" will amount to anything. And "Mr. Personality?" Yeah, right.

Yet the American public gets some sort of enjoyment watching these young singles flounder and screw things up. Otherwise variations on the same theme wouldn't keep being produced. People like the unpredictability of a blind date. Will they click? Will they bicker?

As entertaining as it is, it's not something I want for my friends.

One of my friends was set up a little while ago by another friend. Her date was a jerk. The friend that set them up admitted he wasn't optimistic they would get along and now she can't stand either of them.

That's a lot of hassle for a small chance at true love. Or even a meaningful relationship.

Over and over I hear of people being set up and it not working out.

And yet people keep doing it. A friend says they want to meet people. You know someone else who's single. It could work out. Never mind they probably have nothing in common.

In high school one of my friends asked if I would go to the Homecoming Dance with her boyfriend's friend, a guy who had recently moved to town. At first I considered it, but then not knowing who he was I declined, figuring I would have more fun hanging out with my friends than making small talk with someone I barely knew.

I made the right decision. He also ended up going stag to the dance and my friend introduced us. He gave a half-nod, half-hello and turned away. As I found out more about him, he had the same interests as my friend's boyfriend, someone I barely got along with.

Disaster averted.

If people are meant to meet, they'll meet. As well as you think you might know your friends, that doesn't mean you know who the best person is for them.

But maybe I'm just being cynical. Maybe of the dozens of blind dates I've seen fail, there are actually some that work out. If so, prove me wrong. Send me an e-mail and I'll write a column about set-up successes. You can remain anonymous if you want and I can't promise I'll be able to print every response, but I'd love to hear from you.

Maybe then I won't be so reluctant to give my matchmaker skills a chance.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com