No Kiss on First Date Rule: What Does It Mean and The Reasons for It

The rules and non-rules of the dating scene are never-ending. Should the guy pay the bill 💸, or should you split? Should you split equally, or should it depend on your orders? How do you keep your date engaging while still maintaining open conversations 🗣️? Finally, should you kiss on the first date 💋 or not?

While these are all valid concerns, it’s important to remember that there are no hard-set rules when it comes to dating! Believe it or not, everything depends on the two parties involved - their backgrounds, preferences, and even how the date goes.

No kiss on the first date doesn’t mean your date doesn’t like you 😊; in the same way, your date offering to pay the bill 💳 also doesn’t automatically mean he’ll do it again on your next date!

In this article, let’s focus on one of your dating concerns and see if no kiss on the first date is a bad sign or not! 🌟

The No Kiss on First Date Rule

While times have surely changed and people in the dating world are more open to expressing their feelings even on the first date, from holding hands 🤝 to as far as making out on the first date, some people still prefer to abide by the so-called “No Kiss Rule” on first dates.

This “rule” simply means that the first date is all about getting to know each other 🥂 while keeping physical intimacy out of the question. When you’re on a first date, especially with someone you just met in person for the first time, you may want to get to know them first before being vulnerable in their presence. That’s where the No Kiss Rule comes in - you save the kissing 😘 for when you decide to go on a second or third date with them!

The No Kiss on First Date Rule is completely understandable, but it shouldn’t be limiting you from doing what you want as a responsible adult! If you feel like your date is going well and you like 💖 the other person even if you just met, and you’re ready to be more intimate early on, feel free to share a kiss on your first date! 😘

Again, it’s up to your preferences, and there is no right or wrong when it comes to your own dating style! ❤️

Photo by René Ranisch

But if you happen to kiss on that first date, you may want to know what to say after!

5 Reasons People Prefer Not to Kiss on the First Date

It’s absolutely acceptable to kiss on the first date 💋. In the same way, no kiss on the first date is also okay! 👍

There are various reasons you may not want to share a kiss on the first date. Below are some of the most common ones 📝:

1. You barely know the other person. If you’re looking for a serious and long-term relationship 💑, you may want to avoid kissing someone you just met on the first date. After all, one date is barely enough to know if you’d want to be in a romantic relationship with someone. This is a fair concern as you wouldn’t want to be physically vulnerable with someone you barely know 🤷‍♂️. You’d want to spend more time getting to know them better before finally sharing an intimate kiss 😘.
2. You want to take things slow. Sometimes, you can already feel that you like the other person 💞 but you don’t want to rush things and mess it all up. This may be one reason you would want to avoid kissing on the first date. You can wait for the second date when you feel more comfortable together before coming in for a peck 😘.
3. You don’t want to feel pressured. Feeling pressured to kiss on the first date is common nowadays, especially with people being more open to physical intimacy 🙈. It’s one reason you may want no kiss on the first date - to avoid feeling pressured and just focus on enjoying the date 🌟.
4. You fear being rejected. Another reason you may not want to kiss on the first date is for fear 😟 of being rejected. You’re not sure how the other person would react - they might also want to kiss 😘 or they might flat out reject ❌ you on your first date. Taking things slowly 🐢 may be a good tactic so as to get a feel of the other person’s preferences before you try for a kiss 💋.
5. You want to build anticipation. Some excitement 🎉 and anticipation are always good! While kissing 💋 on the first date can build your feelings up, it can also take the anticipation for the next dates down a notch. By ending your date with a warm hug 🤗 and a goodbye 👋, you get to build some anticipation for what’s in store on your next date 💑!

Read also: First Kiss Quotes & Sayings

Photo by Tim Foster

No Kiss on First Date: Bad Sign?

Is no kiss on first date a bad sign? No! 🚫💋 No kiss on the first date can mean a lot of things, most of which don’t necessarily mean your relationship won’t progress further.

Not kissing on the first date is entirely up to the two parties involved. If your date doesn’t want to share a kiss on the first date, it may be that they want to take things slow 🐢 and avoid rushing into physical intimacy without knowing the other person better yet.

This doesn’t mean they don’t like you, though! 😊 It’s just a matter of taking their time and letting the relationship take its natural course 🌱.

Still, for some, not kissing on the first date may mean that they aren’t as physically attracted 😕 to the other person.

However, don’t let this dampen your spirits! If you don’t kiss on the first date, you can always ask for a second date! If your date agrees, you still have a chance to get to know each other better and maybe eventually find that you like each other ❤️. If not, there’s always more fish in the sea! 🐟🌊

Would you like to know how to kiss someone for the first time? Check out our blog!

Photo by Sangria Señorial

How To Say No To a Kiss on the First Date?

If you’re the one who’s not comfortable 😅 kissing on the first date, you may be thinking about how to set your boundaries without making it appear that you’re already rejecting your date. If you feel that your date is going well and the other person seems to be dropping hints 📉 of wanting to kiss you, don’t be afraid to casually mention that you’re usually not the intimate type, especially with people you just met.

If your date starts leaning in for a kiss 💋, don’t be pressured 🔄 to just give in if you don’t feel comfortable! You can always respectfully pull away, saying how you like how your date is going 👍 but would prefer to keep things casual for the first date. You can also reassure your date that you’d want to see them again, and give a short hug 🤗 to show affection without being too physically intimate.

Photo by Febiyan

Create the Most Thoughtful Messages for Your Dates with our Free AI!

Let’s face it, finding the right words 🗣️ to send after a first date can be tricky. Whether you're eager for a second date or need to politely decline, conveying your feelings accurately is essential. For that, we have our magical ✨ and free AI message generator - Olivia - that writes like an authentic human.

No more staring at your phone’s screen for hours ⏳, trying to craft the perfect message! With Olivia, you only need to fill out a simple form with key details about your date, like the vibe, your intentions, and any special notes 📝.

In the blink of an eye 👁️, the free AI tool generates the perfect message that nails your feelings, whether you’re hoping for another round of drinks 🍹 or gently letting them down.

Want to see Olivia in action? Check out these samples below 👇:

Hey Jessica! 😊 I just wanted to say how much I truly enjoyed our dinner together. Our conversation was so engaging, and I loved getting to know you better! I really like to keep the good vibes going and was wondering if you’d be for a movie night soon. 🍿🎬 Let me know favorite films, and we can pick something fun! I can’t wait to see you again! 💖

Hey Ryan, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for a lovely evening. I really enjoyed our and appreciated your kindness and thoughtfulness. 🌟 However, after reflecting on our time together, I feel that we may not have that romantic connection I'm looking for. I genuinely wish you all the best in your journey ahead and hope you find someone amazing who truly resonates with you. Take care, Sam 🌼

Hey Alex! 😊 I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for a lovely time yesterday. I really enjoyed our conversations and getting to know you better. You have such a great vibe! 🌟 That said, I think I need a little time to process everything and figure out what I want moving forward. I hope you understand. Let's definitely keep in touch and see where things go. Take care! 💫

Ready to make your post-date communications easier? Try our free AI message generator now! 🤖💌

Final Thoughts

Dating rules come and go, so don’t waste your time wracking your brains for the one-size-fits-all answer to your dating questions! 🧠💔

Is no kiss on the first date acceptable? Or is it a bad sign? 🤔 It entirely depends on the two parties involved! Similar to all acts of physical intimacy, mutual respect and comfort are important when displaying your affection.

Some people are comfortable with, or even advocate, kissing on the first date 💋. After all, it can help you gauge your physical compatibility early on 🔍. However, a significant number of people still prefer taking things slow 🐢. The first date is hopefully just one of many more dates, so there’s no need to rush if you don’t feel like kissing yet!

Remember, your date doesn’t end when you part ways! If you finished your date without a kiss but with a promise to see each other again 📅, don’t hesitate to send a short but sweet message 📱 to your date to thank them for their time and let them know that you look forward to seeing them again!

Make use of Gifft.me’s virtual gifts 🎁 to make things more exciting - have your date virtually unbox a gift containing your sweet message (you can even add a photo from your date 📸🥰!) and send it for free! Who knows? This might be the key to a kiss on your next date! 💖