First Kiss on the First Date: Should You Do It or Not?

#1: Confirmation of Interest

When two people agree on a first date, attraction is certainly present. But doubts can hinder them from seeing that. A kiss is one way to confirm each other's interest.

#2: Confession of Feelings and Intentions

In a Verily article, author Maria Walley shares that her first kiss with her husband was bold and straight to the point. It wasn’t movie-worthy, but it clearly summed up his intentions.

A kiss can reveal feelings and get the ball rolling.

#3: Spur-of-the-Moment Decision

Sometimes, actions speak louder than words. The close distance and light touches between both parties hint that they want something more. Sparks are flying, and they get so caught up in the moment that they can’t help but lean into each other for a kiss.

#4: Means to an End

Some people don't have the best intentions towards their dates. A kiss is their means to rush the connection and get physical.

#1: Date Assessment

The conversation doesn’t feel like small talk. You’re both comfortable with each other, and you’ve expressed your eagerness to see each other again. If you see signs that your date is going well, you can choose to end it with a kiss. It may even feel natural.

#2: Chemistry

Kissing not only indicates intentions. It also checks the vibes between matches—especially in the physical department.

Do you kiss on the first date, or do you hold out?

#1: Set the scene.

According to online greeting card marketplace Thortful, 59% of people don’t like kissing their partners in public.

And with that, be mindful of your setting. You don’t want to kiss in a chaotic location with judging eyes. We recommend doing it in a private location or a spot with little to no people.

#2: Create a romantic atmosphere.

You can’t just jump in and kiss your date. You need to build anticipation. One way to do this is by creating a romantic atmosphere.

Look up fun first date ideas. Then, choose an activity that will help you open up and get closer to each other. As comfort and familiarity build, so do attraction and tension.

#3: Ask permission.

Consent is important, especially when sharing an intimate moment. It shows respect for your date’s boundaries and ensures that they’re all-in on what’ll happen. Intentionality also adds to your romantic appeal.

Asking for consent can be something like, “Can I kiss you?”

#4: Wait for the right timing.

Pay attention to your date’s signals. Do they seem relaxed around you? Are they being flirty? If they seem receptive to your advances, consider leaning in for a kiss.

If they seem hesitant, go back to rule #2 and take more time to build a romantic atmosphere. But don’t pressure yourself. The kiss can wait until the end of the date.

#5: Live in the moment.

Your first kiss should be enjoyable. Don’t overthink the setting or your technique. Be present and appreciate the moment as it happens.

#1: They don’t want to do it with strangers.

Not everybody’s comfortable with getting this intimate, especially with someone they’ve just met. They don’t want to regret the kiss, even if an endgame isn’t in the cards.

#2: They value it.

Some may find this corny, but it’s admirable. To some people, kisses aren’t meaningless. While they respect others who think otherwise, they just don’t see themselves being that open.

They want their first kiss to be with someone special. After all, it only happens once.

#3: They need time to sort out their feelings.

One date isn’t enough time to get to know somebody. First impressions shouldn’t be the only basis for feelings. People need time to figure out where their head and heart are.