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How to Get a Second Date and Scientific Signs They Want To See You Again

How to Get a Second Date: Scientific Signs They Want To See You Again


Will you get a second date? Chances are, the decision’s already been made before the entrée hits the table.

A 2023 survey found most people make up their minds within the first 19 minutes of sitting down. But research suggests those early moments still matter. Small cues like how you smile, the way you phrase a compliment, and even how you laugh can quietly shift the odds in your favor. Behavioral studies have uncovered specific patterns that boost your chances of turning a first impression into a lasting connection. These signals are visible, learnable, and backed by data.

Here’s What You Should Do on Your First Date:

  • Use Creative Compliments

If you want to make a lasting impression on a first date, skip the obvious lines. A 2017 study found that men who used metaphorical compliments, especially creative and unusual ones, were rated as more attractive than those who used literal praise. Saying “Your eyes are morning dew” outperformed “Your lips are sexy” not just in the moment but even later, when women couldn’t recall the compliment but still found the man more appealing. The effect was strongest when the compliment focused on appearance rather than possessions, Metaphorical language also made men seem more intelligent without coming off as dominant. The results held across different romantic styles and cultural backgrounds, pointing to a quiet but powerful truth: originality in language leaves a deeper mark than routine flattery.

  • Establish Mutual Eye Contact

If you want your date to remember you, look them in the eyes. A 2024 speed-dating study found that people were significantly more likely to choose partners with whom they shared mutual eye contact, even after accounting for physical attractiveness. For men especially, receiving direct eye contact during conversation had a strong effect on their choice. Another study found that eye contact not only increased comfort but also encouraged deeper self-disclosure, reducing the need for small talk and helping people feel more emotionally connected. When couples couldn’t make eye contact, they asked more questions to fill the uncertainty gap, but when eye contact was possible, the conversation moved more naturally into personal territory. Warning: Don’t overdo it – or you’ll seem creepy.

  • Pick Up the Fork and Feed Your Date

It may sound theatrical, but feeding your date a bite of dessert could double your chances of seeing them again. A 2019 study analyzing nearly 800 first dates found that when one person fed the other—placing food directly into their partner’s mouth—93% of couples said they wanted a second date. Among those who didn’t share food this way, less than half did. The gesture was more common among women and typically happened during dessert, especially when chocolate was involved. Researchers noted that feeding often coincides with flirting and kissing, suggesting it functions as a strong nonverbal cue of attraction and comfort. Warning: Don’t try this at the appetizers. Use it to seal the deal.

  • Use Emojis in Your Messages

A 2019 study found that emojis carry more romantic weight than most people realize. People who used emojis frequently with potential partners were more likely to get second dates, have physical intimacy, and start relationships. Emojis didn’t help land the date, but they made the interaction feel more emotionally expressive and personal, especially over text, where tone and intent can get lost. Participants said emojis helped them show personality and convey emotion in a way that plain text couldn’t. The result? Messages felt more real, more human, and more likely to build a connection strong enough to move things forward.

Pamela Meyer

How to Know if Your Date is Interested in You:

  • Watch Their Body Language

Attraction often shows up in the body before it’s ever put into words. A 2021 study found that people’s physical movements revealed subtle clues about their interest, especially for women. Women who moved less felt more attracted to their partner. And when two people’s movements gradually aligned, it was a stronger sign of connection than mimicry alone. If your date seems to settle into stillness and your movements start to quietly match, chances are you’re doing something right.

  • Keep the First Date Casual

Research from 2020 found that casual environments make it easier to read someone’s true personality. In more romantic first dates, people often mask their real traits, either to impress or protect themselves, making genuine attraction signals harder to detect. In general, a more casual date format gives both people a better shot at forming accurate impressions, helping you decide if the connection is worth pursuing or just a good story for later.

  • Notice Their Smile

A 2024 study found that matching smiles can significantly boost romantic interest during a date. When both people’s smiles were made more expressive during a speed date, they reported stronger attraction and were more likely to want to see each other again. The effect wasn’t just about one person smiling more; it worked best when both smiles were equally expressive. Even when participants weren’t consciously aware of smiling more or seeing more smiles, aligned facial expressions made conversations feel warmer and more enjoyable. The takeaway is simple: if your date’s smile brightens, let yours meet it.

  • Remeber How Much They Laugh

Laughter can tell you more about your date than you might think. A 2022 study found that shared laughter, especially early in a conversation, is a strong sign of mutual attraction. Nearly 27% of all laughs happened in the first minute, helping couples establish a quick sense of connection. When both people laughed at the same time, even without matching the exact type of laugh, they felt more drawn to each other. Some types of laughter were more revealing than others: snort-like laughs, though rare, were linked to attraction, while song-like “hahaha” laughs were the most contagious and inviting. Men often led the laughter, and women were more likely to join in. Daters who laughed longer were also rated as more attractive after the date than before, suggesting that laughter not only breaks the ice, it builds momentum.

How to Read Someone’s Behavior

If you want to get better at spotting behavioral signals, there’s training for that. Courses on behavior analysis and body language, like Deception Detection: Interviewing and Getting to the Truth, can teach you how to read movements, decode verbal patterns, and pick up on the subtle shifts people make and what they mean. The basis of these methods that help land a second date can also help you tell if your date is lying. To learn more, check out the article, Is Your Date Telling the Truth? 5 Things to Look For in the Candlelight. You can also take this quiz to test your ability to read body language and the meanings behind different gestures and posture.