First Date Body Language: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Does he think you’re the one? Or is he just waiting for the check? Learn these clues to what his first date body language is telling you and you’ll never have to wonder again.

You Locked Eyes

We’ll start with the good stuff: eye contact for more than three seconds? You’re officially looking deep into each other’s eyes. Time to break the gaze and smile or go ahead and lean in for a kiss.

He’s Mirroring You

You take a sip, he takes a sip. You put your napkin in your lap, he does too. Mirroring the gestures, tone of voice and patterns of speech of the person you’re with is such a strong sign of attraction that you’re almost guaranteed a second date.

He’s Reaching For You

It’s a universally-good sign of interest. If his hand is forward and his fingers are pointing toward your side of the table, he’s having trouble holding in his desire to touch you.

He’s Blinking — A Lot

It’s a sign that he’s nervous — in a good way. If he’s flustered and batting his lashes, he thinks you’re great (and maybe just a little bit out of his league).

He Lifts His Eyebrow

It’s a sign that he really likes you, but he’s trying to play it cool. He might be able to hide that grin, but it’s harder to control the upper half of your face.

He’s Touching The Back Of His Head

You know the move: he sees you, smiles and touches the back of his head. It’s a sign that he’s so floored by the way that you look that now he’s nervous about his appearance.

Throw a compliment his way and you’ll give him a big boost in confidence.

He’s Licking His Lips

There’s only one reason a man licks his lips: because he’s hungry. And if he’s not looking at the entree, it’s you he’s hungry for.

But be careful. If this is his only sign of attraction, his interest in you could only be below the belt.

He’s Invading Your Personal Space

Invading your personal space is a sign that he likes you — unless you’re clearly not into his advances. If he continues to lean in when you’re leaning away, it’s a power move. He can tell he’s getting too close. He just doesn’t care. And he’ll show just as much consideration for your needs if you continue to date him.

He’s Hiding His Hands

If he’s smiling at you but his hands are under the table, it’s not a great sign. If he’s hiding his hands, it’s a sign that he’s not really interested — especially if they’re under the table more often than they’re  not.

He’s Not Facing You

We point our belly buttons toward whatever we’re interested in. If he’s talking to you but facing somewhere else, his body is giving you a subliminal message that he’s not really that interested — despite what his mouth says.

He’s Tapping His Foot

What’s that tap-tap-tapping under the table? It’s usually a sign of impatience that he can’t be bothered to conceal. He could be waiting for the date to be over — or for the next one to begin.

Crossed Arms

This one is on us. Crossed arms make you look like you’re not interested. But we tend to cross our arms when we get nervous or defensive.

If you don’t want your crossed arms to give your first date a hostile vibe, try taking a deep breath and think about something pleasant — like how much better this date will go if you uncross those arms.

Eye Rolling

It’s always a red flag. Even if it looks like he’s joking. An eye roll on a first date communicates a sense of disapproval and disrespect if he does it (or you catch yourself in the act), it’s a sign that you two aren’t a match.

He’s Tuning You Out

A man tinkering with his phone during a first date should not get a second one. Not only does he have terrible manners, he doesn’t even care enough to pretend to be interested in what you’re saying.