Sometimes, you just know when a first date went well. The conversation flowed, you had a few things in common, perhaps you even kissed at the end of the night. But other times, it isn’t so clear. Maybe you stumbled on a few of your words. Or they seemed more anxious than usual. Or you’ve simply never heard from them since—even when it seemed like they had a good time. Whatever it is, we can totally relate: first dates are tough. So whether you’re new to the dating scene or just looking to verify that your gut instincts are correct, these are the undeniable signs a first date went well.
The date went longer than expected.
One of the major signs a first date went well is when the date lasts longer than either of you expected. No one is going to drag out a bad date, which means if you’re an hour in and your date is planning which bar the two of you should go to for a nightcap, they’re probably enjoying themselves. Relationship expert Marlena Cole said she knew she was on one of her best first dates when the time they had just wasn’t enough. “We didn’t want to leave each other,” she says. “After spending hours talking, we found somewhere else to go that night because we enjoyed each other so much.”
You both participated equally in the conversation.
We’ve all been on that date. The one where the other person spends the entire time talking about themselves and never lets you get a word in, much less asks you a question. However, after a good first date, you’ll feel like you each spoke an equal amount. And after a great date, you’ll feel like the other person seemed genuinely interested in what you were telling them and that you found a few mutual interests.
The two of you laughed at the exact same things.
Shared laughter is one of the ultimate signs of connection. One study published in Evolutionary Psychology even found that laughing at another person’s jokes was a sign of dating interest in that person (this was especially true if it was a woman laughing at a man’s jokes). And if you’re laughing together, then that’s even better. The research found that two people laughing at the same time signaled they were more likely to have a romantic interest in one another.
You each made eye contact with one another.
It’s not just polite to make eye contact with someone—rather than looking, er, other places—it’s also one of the most subtle signs a first date is going well. In one study published in the journal Psychological Science, researchers asked volunteers to look at photos of strangers and answer whether they were attracted to that person in a romantic versus sexual way. When the volunteers had a romantic interest, their eyes were drawn to the person’s face. When it was simply sexual, their eyes went straight to the person’s body.
Neither of you shied away from physical contact.
Celia Schweyer, a dating expert at datingscout.com, says that in addition to flowing conversation, it’s also important for two people on a first date to have great non-verbal communication. “That means you and your date were touching each other multiple times, not in an intimate way but in a subtle way,” she says. “Briefly holding his or her hand during a loud laugh or your knee slightly touching theirs because the two of you were moving closer.”
You didn’t have the urge to reach for your phone once.
You know checking your phone is rude, but that probably hasn’t stopped you from doing it on a first date in the past. In fact, one Deloitte study found that most Americans view their phone an average 52 times a day. “You know it’s a great first date when you realize you haven’t reached for your phone in the last hour and a half,” says Eric Resnick, owner of the online dating website profilehelper.com. If you felt the urge to check your Insta more than a few times (or noticed that your date actually did check theirs) it’s possible the two of you aren’t the perfect match.
You rarely felt nervous or anxious during the date.
Butterflies are one thing, but when you connect with someone naturally, you shouldn’t feel anxious around them. “Given the inevitable awkwardness of a first date, if you find that you’re somehow already comfortable with this person, it’s a sign that your first date went well,” says Adina Mahalli, a certified mental health professional at Maple Holistics. “Conversation flows, you’re laughing, and you can’t help but be your most authentic self around them. It’s a lot to ask, but that’s what a good first date should feel like.”
You added each other on social media.
If the person you went on a date with thought your date was less-than-stellar, they’re much more likely to delete your number or unmatch you on Tinder than follow you on Instagram. So if you find yourself with a new friend request after the date, it’s most likely a sign they’re on board to move forward with date number two.
You spoke about “future” plans together, like seeing a show or an art gallery.
Solidifying plans for date number two is one of the most obvious signs a first date went well. Lora Bertoldi, a Boston-based matchmaker for Three Day Rule, says it’s even better if those plans have something to do with what you discussed on your date. “Recently, I had a client who shared hiking as a hobby with her date,” she says. “The date suggested they check out this particular hiking trail together the following weekend. They had a great time, and sure enough, a third date is already scheduled.”
You swapped stories about your friend groups.
If your date is telling you stories about their friend group or you’re telling them stories about yours, it’s a clear sign they’re considering opening that close part of their life up to you. It’s even more telling if they suggest that you’d like their friends or that their friends would like you. “This can only mean that you two really clicked instantly and he or she wants to include you in their social circle right away,” says Schweyer.
The conversation went further than small talk.
Deep conversation is key to a great first date. While it’s important to hash out all the basic facts about a person—things like where they’re from and what they do—going into a deeper conversation is also necessary. Doing so shows that you’re comfortable enough to talk about something meaningful and that you have the potential to connect on a more spiritual and intellectual level.
They walked you to where you were going next.
Whether it’s to the train, your car, or the corner of your block, if your date is walking you there, it’s probably because they’re not ready to part ways. An even stronger sign of that is if they linger for a while after you’ve arrived at that next destination. It’s clear they would rather keep spending time with you than head off their own way.
You told your friends about the date.
After the date, did you pull out your phone to text your friends? As long as you’re saying good things, this can be one of the telltale signs a first date went well. Whether you’re searching for feedback to make sure you make the right next step or are simply sharing your excitement about this new person, talking to friends about a first date is a positive sign you think the other person has potential.
There was an intentional and timely follow-up.
Did you receive a text or call within 24 hours of the date? That’s usually a good sign. If your date moves past the obligatory “did you make it home alright?” text and into a further conversation, that’s a clear sign they enjoyed the date and want to start planning a second date together.
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