The Set Up

I'm not entirely opposed to being set up.  It's just that sometimes it seems like a threat.
"I've got this great friend!  She's really pretty and her personality is awesome!" 
That may be true.  Apparently her personality is not quite awesome enough, however, to allow her to consider dating beneath herself in the looks department. 
Maybe my experiences are aberrative, but it the specter of being set up with a friend's single friend more often than not makes me hesitant to go along with such matchmaking experiments.  I've been approached by well intentioned friends to be set up with their single, well intentioned friends on a few occasions, and each time I have been disappointed.  Or been the disappointer. Regardless, disappointment was present and, much like every socialist society the world over, in the end only misery was shared equally.
I'll be approached with the idea, to which I will ultimately agree. Ever the optimist, perhaps this time will be different. What have I got to lose, right?
"I've got this great friend I'd like to set you up with."
"Okay, let's do it."
Typically that will be the end of it and I will never hear of it again, at least until another single, seemingly "set up" worthy friend comes along.  I can only imagine that my well intentioned friend was met with a stern "No" or even resounding laughter. 
Recently, after months of attempted convincing, and apparently being talked up to nearly epic proportions, I allowed my friend to show her friend a picture.  And that was the end of that.  I imagine there was an even sterner "No" and perhaps some weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Dignity.  That's what I've got to lose.  Dignity replaced with fear and loathing.
It's not always so depressing, though, hence my still dimly flickering sense of optimism.  One time I actually met my friend's friend. 
"It will be great," he said.  "She wants to meet for lunch.  She's really excited about it."
So we had lunch.  Well, my friend's friend and I had lunch, along with a friend of hers, and my friend.
But wait, I thought, this could turn out well.  She will see that I have friends who enjoy my company and will enjoy my witty banter in a dynamic social situation.  She will find my ease in such a situation admirable and sharp sense of humor attractive, which will compensate for my lack of actual, physical attractiveness.  After all, isn't that how comedians do it?
The four of us had a wonderful time talking, laughing, and really connecting in friendship and more.  I felt a strong sense of attraction.  My friend's friend was really excited about it.  She enjoyed the witty banter and humorous conversation.  Except I don't think it worked out quite as my friend planned.  You see, the lovely girl he set me up with kind of liked him.  Very much. 
Oh, yeah, he's married.
On the plus side, he hasn't threatened to set me up with one of his friends since then.  Plus his wife was pretty upset with him, which was funny for me.
So is there a solution to the "Set Up" conundrum?  I don't know.  Will I allow my friends to continue to try to set me up with their single friends?  Probably.  Preferably without an audience.