The first date is a nerve-wracking and wrecking experience for everyone.
You want to make a good impression, but you also want to be yourself.
Ugh!
But if that guy is fidgeting and drumming his fingers, he’s probably more nervous than you are.
Nerves are part of what makes us human, and there are signs a guy is nervous on a first date.
When you pay attention to these signs when you are out on a date, you’ll be able to read his body language so you can have fun and make sure your date feels as comfortable as possible.
Read on to see some signs a guy is nervous on a first date.
8 Most Likely Signs A Guy Is Nervous On A First Date
1. He Shows Up Late
One of the signs a guy is nervous on a first date is that he’ll arrive late.
Generally, when people are nervous about an outing or an event, they’ll sometimes arrive late because they spent a better part of the time fighting the voice in their heads that asked them not to show up.
The same is true for a guy who feels anxious about a first date.
He’ll spend time convincing himself that the date is worth it.
And all these doubts will make him show up late.
Try not to get angry with him when he arrives late for the date.
Any negative vibe from you will confirm his initial fears and doubt about the date.
You have to ask him why he arrived late on the date, and show understanding if his excuses are genuine.
It can happen to anyone, so give him the benefit of the doubt.
2. He Can’t Stop Staring At You
Another good sign he is nervous on a first date is if he can’t stop staring at you.
Indeed, men know that staring is rude.
However, he may be eager to please you and equally nervous if he keeps staring when you leave your seat or if he keeps looking over at you.
Rather than being offended, tell him if you’re uncomfortable with the way he’s staring at you.
Compared to women, most men do not know socialization rules, and they might stare at you without reservations, no matter how weird it seems.
All you need is to remember that first dates tend to make even the best of us feel anxious without knowing it.
3. He Stammers While Speaking
When men try to impress a girl, they can find it difficult to form sentences because of their nervousness.
Therefore, your date may not know what to say or is probably shy if he gets lost or stammers while speaking.
His words will suddenly fail him, and finding the exact expressions he needs around you will become a bit difficult for him.
Please note that while they may try to hide their nervousness, bear in mind that showing the signs of being nervous doesn’t expressly translate to someone being intimidated by you.
On the contrary, when a guy is intimidated, it’ll cause him to become cocky and overconfident around you.
4. He’ll Keep Checking The Time
Being nervous on a first date is perfectly normal, and it’s easy to allow that to get the better of you and prevent you from discussing well with your date.
If you notice he’s keeping track of time by checking his watch regularly, let him know you noticed his anxiety and reassure him that there’s no need to rush anything.
Tell him that it’ll be best to take things one step at a time and enjoy getting to know each other better.
Also, ask him if he will like to go and you could reschedule for another time as you can understand he is really on the edge.
5. They Sweat A Lot, Which Is Unusual For Men
Naturally, a man’s body reacts to stress by producing more sweat that evaporates and calms his body.
When a man is nervous, however, it’s a different ball game.
He sweats more than usual and has difficulty cooling off.
It’ll make his body overheat, and he’ll become uncomfortable.
If you’re not so familiar with your date and haven’t spoken much with them before your first date, his body language might carry all the signs mentioned above.
Check for signs he’s constantly adjusting in his seat or sweating profusely without cooling off.
6. Their Responses Are Rehearsed
Even if you’ve not met your date, he might have shared some of his details with you.
For instance, he’ll tell you what he does for a living, his job, and maybe, the college he attended.
So, it’s safe to say you know him to an extent.
One of the signs a guy is nervous on a first date is if he keeps giving you a yes or no answer to your questions without details or keeps repeating the things you already know about him.
What can you do to help the situation?
Change the topic of discussion by playfully asking him about something else to avoid an awkward conversation.
Remember not to be so engaging that you end up monopolizing the entire conversation.
Give him a chance to talk and express himself.
7. They’re Distracted From The Conversation
When talking with your date, note if he’s listening to what you’re saying.
First dates are generally stressful for everyone involved.
This is easily noticeable from the responses he gives to you.
It is either he gives you incoherent answers or no answers at all.
So, if he’s not responding to what you’re saying and engaging with you, it might be he’s too nervous to think of any reasonable response to give to you.
Also, look for the other signs mentioned above that show he’s nervous.
They won’t be hard to spot if you observe them closely.
If you notice he’s a bunch of nerves, calm him down and make him comfortable so that both of you will enjoy the date.
8. They Shift From One Leg To The Other
One of the signs a guy is nervous on a first date is when he starts shifting from leg to leg during the date.
What happens if you’re nervous is that the body releases adrenaline into the bloodstream making the legs ache and shake.
Involuntarily, you’ll put your hands in your pockets and shift from side to side for relief.
If the guy you’re on a first date with is shifting from side to side or suddenly puts his hands in his pockets, it’s a sign he’s a bundle of nerves.
He is not uncomfortable with you.
On the contrary, he might just be trying to calm his nerves.
Conclusion
There is nothing wrong with being nervous.
In fact, it happens to the best of us.
If you’re going on a first date with a guy, and he’s exhibiting some weird character, it might not necessarily mean that he doesn’t like you.
Far from it.
If you’ve read up to this point, it means you’ve gone through the list of the signs a guy is nervous on a first date.
Now you know that if the guy you’re on a first date with is exhibiting any of the signs mentioned above, it could be he’s nervous.
Nothing more.
What you can do to help is try to be jovial, make him relax and feel comfortable, and allow him to express himself freely.
I hope you enjoyed your first date without the interference of any bunch of nerves!