Of course, consent is the first and most important rule involved in any romantic interaction. Dating and relationships coach Ben Evans told Bustle, "Before you can escalate from 'friend touching' to 'romantic touching,' you need to ensure your date actually enjoys being touched by you." He added, "If you go for a hug and your date pulls away, you have tried to get too intimate too quickly."
Working on your body language too quickly or intensely may also inhibit an authentic and safe connection. "The moment you focus on body language it means you're being self-centered — you're more concerned with your own inner voice or manipulating the situation to truly connect with your date," Evans explained. So, actively listening to your partner and being open about your experiences is usually the best place to start before you think about getting physical.
It's also best to try out flirting techniques with someone you're comfortable around. TikToker Sophie-Rose Lloyd shared that you should use the triangle method with "someone that you really like and share a mutual interest with." She explained, "It might not necessarily work on strangers or people that you've never spoken to before." The triangle method also doesn't involve physical touch, so it's a solid first step in a romantic direction while maintaining both parties' comfort.
