23 Telltale Signs A First Date Went Well
Specialty: Marriage & Family TherapyExperience: 8 yearsSharon Gilchrest O'Neill is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and family business consultant, who has earlier been a graduate instructor/advisor, an organizational learning consultant, and hospice volunteer. With around eight years of experience working in the private as well as corporate setting, Sharon helps her clients think creatively and build upon their strengths.
Read full bio of Sharon Gilchrest O’Neill
ratika pai akshay nair srija chanda burman Srija holds an MA in English Literature from the University of Calcutta and a PG Diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her interest in editing ranges across niches, including academics, human psychology, and child development.
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In This Article
No matter how meticulously you plan it, the first date seldom goes the way you envision it. First dates can make you anxious and may not necessarily give you the expected outcome. Signs a first date went well are challenging to interpret even if they seem obvious. What you thought was a terrific, enjoyable date could not be the same for the other person.
It might be difficult to evaluate the first date, especially if your date has provided no feedback. But you can figure out if it was a good first date by evaluating some indications. Here are several indicators that your first date met your expectations.
23 Signs A First Date Went Well
These simple indicators can tell you if your date went well. Have a look at them and see if your date showed any of these signs.
1. Was Attentive to you
When someone’s eyes dart around the room, or they peek into their phone too often or are easily distracted, it suggests they do not enjoy your company. However, if your date actively listens to you, offers compliments, and shows admiration, it positively indicates that the date went well.
2. Asked you questions
When you speak about yourself and your life, and someone asks you engaging questions, it means they are interested in knowing more about you. If your date asked you questions related to what you shared with them, it suggests they were interested in you and engaged in the conversation.
3. Conversed freely
Interacting with someone you connect with is easy flowing and two-sided. If both of you never ran out of topics to speak on and were equally engrossed in the conversation, it shows that you had a good date and the attraction was strong on both sides.
4. Spoke for long
You probably thought that the date would last for two hours, but it went on for more than four hours. If your date went longer than expected, it clearly shows that your date enjoyed your company and it might be time to step up the romance.
5. Laughed with you
Did your date and you had a fun chat together, shared funny incidents from your past, and laughed a lot? If yes, you can be sure your date went well. Laughter is a sign that they let their guard down and had a fun time with you.
Do remember6. Made frequent eye contact
Did they make frequent eye contact with you? If yes, your date was good. When someone is interested in you, they will make direct eye contact with you. If their eyes look away in all directions and do not focus on you, it means they are bored and are not interested in what you are saying. Likewise, if their body language was positive, it shows interest, such as leaning in to hear you better, or if when leaving, there is some touching with a pleasant handshake or a hand on your shoulder before you walk away. These are all signs that chemistry might be brewing between you two.
7. Mirrored your actions
People often tend to mimic the actions of those who they find attractive. If your date rested their face on their hand in the same manner as you or sat back in their chair with a smile like you have done, it suggests they found you attractive.
8. Remembered little details
While talking, if your date shows excitement and recalls little details you shared with them and repeated them during the conversation, it means they were paying attention to you. And we pay attention to someone who holds our interest, don’t we?
9. Refrained from checking their phone
A person who feels disinterested in you will tend to check their phone even when conversing with you. But if your date did not reach out for their phone even once, it means they found a deep connection with you, which is an excellent sign.
Quick tip10. Made light physical contact
You make physical contact only with people you are comfortable with. If your date playfully punched your arm lightly or gave you a high-five, and you did not mind their touch, know that your date found you alluring.
11. Felt relaxed
People generally feel anxious on their first date. But if your date seemed relatively relaxed, it means they felt comfortable with you. Easy flow of conversation, lots of laughter and smiles, and gentle physical contact indicate a good comfort level.
12. Exhibited positive body language
If your date sat or stood with their feet pointed toward you, and if their shoulders were relaxed, and they made plenty of eye contact, it means your date found you appealing and liked spending time with you.
13. Talked about their friends
Did your date talk about their friends and indicate that you should meet them? If yes, it is a clear sign that your date likes you. Talking about their friends is a clear appreciation as they are ready to share their personal life with you because they see you with them in the future.
14. Shared funny incidences
If your date did not mind sharing their embarrassing or funny stories with you, it shows they trusted you enough and found you endearing. You probably made them feel comfortable, and so they were able to open up to you. This indicates you had a good date.
15. Had meaningful conversations
On your first date, if you managed to move on from regular small talk to discussing meaningful topics, it means your date was a success. It is also an added bonus if you enjoy discussing certain topics because you share the same views. Finally, it indicates that your date could connect with you and was willing to be vulnerable. When blogger Randi from New York went on a date (with her future husband), she shared that the vibe she felt was different and that she enjoyed the conversation with him. She says, “He gave me a hug, and we went to a restaurant to eat. The food was terrible, but the conversation more than made up for it. He was extremely attractive, but more importantly, he was smart, funny, witty, and down to earth; nothing like how he came across in his messages… We were pretty much inseparable after our first date, and it was only three weeks later that he told me he loved me. As silly as it might seem, I felt that way too (i).”
Point to consider16. Accompanied you even after your date
After you were done with the date, if your date walked you to your car or dropped you home, it shows how much they wish to spend more time with you.
17. Hinted at doing something together
If you share a common interest, and they suggested you two try it out together, it means your date was a hit. Additionally, if they want you to try out something they are really passionate about, it is a sure shot sign. They like you and are using the common interest to meet you again.
18. Shared a secret joke
During the date, if something awkward or funny happened, and you and your date latched on to it like a private joke between only you two, it means you got along really well. Sharing something exclusive between you two is a sign of a close bond.
19. Asked you for a second date
If they ask you on a second date, it is one of the best indicators of a successful date. If they ask for another date and even suggest a place beforehand, it means they are into you.
Quick tip20. Texted you after the date
If they like you, they will text you to connect with you soon and not play games. If your date texted you to keep in touch after your first date, it is another clear indicator of a successful first date.
21. Added you on social media
If they have followed you on social media after the date, it clearly shows their interest in you. It means they like you and would want to stay in touch and probably even go out with you again.
22. Treated you with respect
Respect is not just about social etiquette or politeness but about identifying your boundaries. If they respect your boundaries, it is a sign that your date is mindful of your feelings and is ready to make adjustments to make you feel comfortable. Feeling safe in a person’s company is crucial for a successful relationship. Respect is manifested in various actions, such as seeking consent before initiating physical contact or avoiding questions that may make you feel uncomfortable.
23. Discussed future plans
If your first date involves discussions about future goals, it may be heading in the right direction. When your date tells you about their career plans, where and when they wish to settle down, and what family life means, they may have seen a potential partner in you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How soon after a first date should I text?
Although there is no hard and fast rule about the duration of waiting to text after a first date, most relationship experts suggest that you may wait for a day before texting to show your interest in them. Don’t double text them as you may look too desperate, which could be a turn-off.
2. What is acceptable on a first date?
It is not uncommon for people to speak about their worthiness and be a little flirtatious. However, it could be unappealing to notice someone who is not interested in knowing about you but keeps speaking about themselves. Moreover, touching on a first date should be warm and natural. Any touch that feels uncomfortable is not acceptable.
3. Why did my first date go well?
A good first date may be uncommon but not impossible. Sometimes, you can start well if you and your date’s stars are aligned. If you have been texting with them for quite some time or had been friends before you went on an actual date, you will likely have many common things to discuss.
4. What should I avoid on a first date?
Avoid discussing controversial topics that might result in unhealthy debates and arguments. Do not exhibit self-centredness, and try to have a pleasant and active conversation. Lastly, remember to put down your phone and respect their opinions and boundaries.
5. How long should my first date last?
There are no hard and fast rules on the duration of a first date as it can differ on various factors ranging from the nature of the date to individual preferences. However, an appropriate time frame suggests an adequate time for meaningful conversation without feeling rushed or dragged on.
After a successful date, we are constantly pressuring ourselves with the question of how the date went. We hope the above list of “signs a first date went well” gave you an answer. The signs listed above are the most common reactions people have following a successful first date. Of course, your date may not have displayed all of the above signs. However, if you’ve seen most of them during the date, it’s an indication that a second one is on the way. So, if the answer points to a second date, don’t be shy about texting or calling them. Who knows if your call fills their day with excitement and happiness.
Infographic: How To Know If Your First Date Was A Success
If you’re meeting your date for the first time, it can be a nerve-wracking experience. You may feel anxious after the date to know if everything was fine. The following infographic lists some simple yet real signs to help you determine if your first date was a hit or flop. Take a look! Illustration: The Bridal Box Design Team
Key Pointers
- If the person seemed interested enough to pay attention to the conversation, the date might have gone well.
- If they had a good laugh with you, it could mean that they enjoyed your company.
- In the new era, if a person could keep their hand off their phone while with you, chances are they are interested in you.
Illustration: Telltale Signs A First Date Went Well
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Did your first date go well? Check out this video to find out the 10 telltale signs of great first dates and know for sure!
Personal Experience: Source
thebridalbox's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. My love story – How I met my husband and our dating journey;https://survivingmomblog.com/relationships/my-love-story-how-i-met-my-husband/
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Read full bio of Sharon Gilchrest O’Neill
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