Whether or not your date likes you can be determined by their body language. If they keep their hands open towards you, don’t cross their arms and seem generally interested, it’s likely that they feel attracted to you.
A closed posture, paired with a lack of eye contact and rapid breathing, indicates nervousness. Watch to see if their body language opens up as the date continues.
1. Eye Contact
Eye contact is one of the most important body language signals. It can convey a lot of different things, from attraction to a lack thereof. Whether it’s the romantic, only-in-Hollywood gaze or the look that makes you want to throw propriety to the wind and run off with him, prolonged eye contact is a clear sign of interest.
Locking eyes with someone across the room is something that many of us dream of. It’s exciting and maybe even a little bit intimidating, but what does it actually mean?
While prolonged eye contact generally indicates that he is attracted to you, it’s not always the case. He could be looking at you because he is interested in the conversation and admires your intelligence and wit. He could also be a people-pleaser who is just trying to make you happy. Alternatively, it could be an indication that he is uncomfortable in his surroundings and doesn’t want to break the eye contact.
2. Body Language
While eye contact is a very important indicator of how someone feels about you, it’s not the only body language clue that can help you figure out if your date likes you. If a guy’s feet are unconsciously pointed toward you, or they lean toward you, it’s a nonverbal way of showing that they’re interested in the conversation and you.
Closed postures, like crossed legs or clenched jaws, are usually a sign of nervousness, especially when paired with avoidance of eye contact and hastened breathing. However, if your date’s closed body language slowly opens up as the date continues and they get more comfortable, it’s a good sign that they’re interested in you.
Pay attention to head movements as well – slow nodding shows active listening, while a tilt backwards can be a sign of suspicion or uncertainty. Also, if you notice them blinking rapidly while you talk, it could indicate they’re stressed out, and their eyes are trying to open up again.
3. Touch
Touch can convey feelings, build trust, and enhance a connection. However, it is important to respect a date’s personal boundaries and understand that physical contact can be interpreted in many ways.
Gentle touching on a first date can signal interest and affection. It can include a warm hug hello, touching the small of her back while talking, or even gently holding hands for a few moments.
Avoid touching her neck or face unless she specifically allows you to. These areas are especially sensitive and intimate. A playful nudge can also be a fun and flirtatious way to touch.
If a guy is avoiding touching you, this could indicate he doesn’t feel a connection or is uncomfortable with the intimacy involved in physical contact on a first date. However, if a guy is continually avoiding your touches and shows no interest in reciprocating them, it may be time to move on. Regardless of his reaction, it is important to keep communication lines open and evaluate the situation to assess if the interaction feels respectful and consensual.
4. Voice
It’s not just about the eyes, it’s also about the voice. Research suggests that women and men with lower-pitched voices find themselves more attractive than those with higher-pitched voices. This could be because people rely on their voices to convey confidence and dominance, as well as a number of other personality traits. In addition, research has shown that sexually fluid women are attracted to perceptible masculine features in a man’s voice, including a deep timbre and low pitch.
In a study that took participants out of the lab and into a real-world dating scenario, speed dates, researchers found that both women and men modulated their voices to indicate personal mate choice preferences. For example, on dates with their preferred men, women lowered the F0 mean and F0 variability of their voices by more than 20 Hz (or four times the just-noticeable difference in vowel sounds) compared to dates with non-preferred men. Linear regression further showed that men lowered their F0 mean by more than 20 Hz on dates with women they ranked higher in overall desirability.