Video:Body Language on First Date

Transcript:Body Language on First Date

Hi, I'm Kaytie Sproul here for About.com, and today we're going to talk about body language on a first date.

When it comes to first dates, some experts argue that body language conveys more about how the date is going than any other observable behavior. Here are some body language do's and don'ts to keep in mind for your next date.

Maintain Eye Contact for Good Body Language on a First Date

First and foremost, be sure to maintain eye contact. You don't want to spend the entire evening looking over your date's shoulder or appear to be distracted by any number of things in your immediate environment. If you really like this person and hope to enjoy their company again, stay focused and look at them directly.

Keeps Arms Open for Good Body Language on a First Date

Next, keep your arms in an open position as opposed to crossing them in front of you. Crossed arms create a barrier between you and your date, indicating an attitude of disinterest and even annoyance. By leaving your arms uncrossed and aligning your body to mirror theirs, you are sending a message of openness and mutual interest.

If things are going really well, you can attempt to make brief physical contact with your date. You might whisper in their ear or playfully touch their arm when the moment presents itself. The key is subtlety. You DON'T want to grab or paw at them regardless of whatever signals you think they may be sending.

End With a Hug for Good Body Language on a First Date

Eventually, all good things must come to an end. If this date has gone exceptionally well, you'll want to close on a solid note. Forget shaking hands. This typically indicates that you are uninterested in physical contact with this person, and therefore unlikely to pursue future encounters. Your best bet is to seal the date with a hug.

Ideally, your bodies should touch, just be careful not to smother or crush your date in the embrace. Avoid patting your date's back, which can also be taken as a sign of exasperation or a desire to get away from them as quickly as possible.

Your body language speaks volumes, particularly on first dates. The best advice is to not over-think it and just be yourself -- your body will take care of the rest.

Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the web at About.com.