What is a good way to break the touch barrier on a first date (lunch date)?

[MusicMayhem]

Going on a first date with a girl tomorrow for lunch. Just wondering given we'd be sitting opposite each other how would you initiate contact? Just casually lean over and hold hands or something. Seems a bit obvious. I've really enjoyed chatting to this girl so want to let her know I like her.

What things have you guys (and girls) done in this situation before.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated, thanks ☺

[Sara413]

Give her a light hug when you meet up and then have your palm on her back as she sits down (and if at a table with chairs, pull her chair out for her while doing so). Otherwise, don't worry about touching during the lunch.. it'll just be awkward.

[MusicMayhem]

Yeah thanks for the advice, just went with the light hello and goodbye hug. It definitely felt like it would have been awkward touching during the lunch, despite us both leaning in closer at times. But it went really well, lots of laughter and it went for nearly 3 hours! I was expecting 1 hour - hour and and half at most. Perhaps on the next date we can do something more physical to get closer (wow that came out wrong haha!). I reckon she was flirting a bit at times too, kept brushing her hair back behind her ears.

[RedRain]

I'd iniciate contact after lunch. I don't like it when guys try to hold my hand on a table. Maybe when you leave you can touch her shoulder or something.

[Anonymous]

Make her feel comfortable during the date. Walk her to somewhere else you can sit like a bench hold her hands as you walk. Then when you sit, you can put your hands on her shoulder.

[TheGeorge]

Holding hands on a first date without prior contact is too fast. It already makes you a couple in her mind when she hasn't agreed yet. You gotta be more careful than that. Though it always depends on the woman of course.

[MusicMayhem]

@TheGeorge If we've been chatting for a week or so, exchanging fairly long messages, to the point where its fairly obvious she likes me would this still be risky? I kind of think so given it's the first face to face meeting? What do you suggest?

[Opinion Owner]

Women don't like men who fear to take risk

[TheGeorge]

Ah well in that case I think you could go for it. She might hesitate so make sure you are determined. I still think it's good to try and touch her at the table first though and only use this as a last resort if you couldn't make it happen.

[Opinion Owner]

She sitting in front would not allow you touch her much. Holding hands at table looks sissy to me.

[TheGeorge]

Try to gently touch and caress her fingers with your fingers while she has her hand on the table and try to make this into holding her hand.

[MusicMayhem]

Ah ok that sounds good. After that I guess she'd be ok with holding hands.

[MrNameless]

I think holding hands during a first date is too soon.

You could lightly touch her shoulder (if you guys are standing), or tap her arm while sitting down and teasing her in a conversation.