That depends a lot on what's comfortable for both of you. She might enjoy gentle caresses on her face and neck, or she might enjoy back rubs or having your arms around her waist. Experiment with different touches and ask what she likes or dislikes.
“On a first date, touch should be limited and only natural, friendly, and warm—not sexual,” Lieberman says. In other words, it's fine to take their hand to help them out of your car, or put your hand on their lower back to lead them through a crowded restaurant.
Keep your touches light and short so she doesn't get uncomfortable. If you two have been having a fun conversation so far, feel free to gently touch her on the hand or on the forearm. Don't go any higher than that, and definitely don't try to grab her waist or anywhere on her torso.
Hug her when you see her.
This is very casual and common among friends. Hugging shows her that you are excited to see her and is a good start to initiating physical contact. If she refrains from hugging you back, she may be uncomfortable or uninterested and you should hold back.
Brushing against them in the hallway, taking a moment to run your fingers through their hair, or pulling them close for a nuzzle or hug, are all easy ways to let your partner know you're available for and interested in physical intimacy. You can also initiate things slowly.
Men who are attracted to you might even engage in more touch. If a man actively tries to touch you during your interaction, it may mean he wants to get closer to you or close the distance between you two.
Smiling at the other person, playing with your hair, and maintaining eye contact are great ways to flirt without physically touching them. If you do want to show your affection through a touch, try sitting close to them and giving a light touch on the arm or hand to start.
According to the results, the number one thing women want on a first date is to feel comfortable. 79% said this was their priority, followed by 35% wanting to be happy, and 27% wanting to be liked.
A collared shirt is almost always a must for a first date. Unless the two of you are off on a serious sporting adventure, wear a button-up shirt or polo. For a cozy dinner, choose a button-up shirt in a classic print, like windowpane or gingham.
When it comes to kissing on a first date, it's important to remember that it's totally your decision. As no two first dates are alike, it's up to you to decide whether you'd like to kiss this person or not. And in most cases, this simply happens in the moment.
If a guy is touchy on the first day, he is probably trying to communicate to you that he's interested. This is one of the biggest giveaways from a guy's body language. However, if it makes you uncomfortable, you absolutely do not have to go on a second date with him, nor do you need to stay in the situation.
Here's the bottom line: Gentle touch on a first date indicates your care, interest, and respect in the other person. There is plenty of time for physical affection as you get to know one another on a deeper level.
1. Flirty Touching. Touching is a powerful way to communicate your attraction to someone and can help build a sense of intimacy between you. Flirty touching can range from a subtle light touch on the arm to a more intimate embrace.
Research has shown that it takes 8 to 10 meaningful touches a day to maintain physical and emotional health. Studies show that “touch signals safety and trust, it soothes” (source).
Frequent And Playful Touching
Small touches and gestures can be a good sign that a woman likes you. If she playfully pats your arm or rubs against you while you are sitting down, it could mean she wants to be closer to you. She also might want to hug you or be open to an invitation to be hugged.
Touch is the quickest way to build attraction. In fact, it is arguably the only way to build a real sexual attraction. It is how you say you're attracted to someone without saying it. Touching to build attraction is an art form.
Very common for a guy to be all touchy feely when it's just the two of you (and not just in private), but to be less so when his pals are around. If this is something that bothers you, bring it up. But I also think it's a good idea, if things are just starting, to give him some time.
A second study in 2017 asked men and women specifically how many dates they usually waited before having a sexual experience with their partner. On average, men reported waiting about five dates, and women reported a preference of waiting closer to nine dates. Overall the average was about eight dates.