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18 Things Women Want to Hear on a First Date (But Won’t Ask For)

Updated on September 24, 2025 by TMM Staff · Dating & Confidence

A smiling woman sitting at a café table with drinks.
©Curated Lifestyle/Unsplash.com

First dates stir up nerves and excitement, with two people hoping to figure out if they click. Women pay attention to more than appearances, listening closely to tone, choice of words, and how genuine a man sounds. What they want most is to feel appreciated and understood, and the phrases that give them that reassurance rarely come from a script.

The best things to say never sound canned or overdone. They sound like natural expressions of interest, words that show a man pays attention and notices details. When these words come easily, they make the night memorable and create the sense that something meaningful could grow.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • 1. “I’m Glad We’re Doing This.”
  • 2. “You Look Amazing.”
  • 3. “I Was Really Looking Forward To Tonight.”
  • 4. “Tell Me More About That.”
  • 5. “That’s Really Impressive.”
  • 6. “I Love How You Said That.”
  • 7. “That Sounds Like Fun.”
  • 8. “You Have A Great Laugh.”
  • 9. “I Can Tell You Care About That.”
  • 10. “You Have Good Taste.”
  • 11. “That Reminds Me Of Something Funny.”
  • 12. “I Like How You Think.”
  • 13. “That’s A Great Question.”
  • 14. “I’m Having A Great Time.”
  • 15. “You’re Really Easy To Talk To.”
  • 16. “That’s Cool You Did That.”
  • 17. “I’d Love To Hear More About That.”
  • 18. “I’m Glad We Met.”

1. “I’m Glad We’re Doing This.”

A smiling couple walking together with a bicycle and coffee.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

This phrase tells her the date matters to you. Instead of leaving her to wonder if you came out of duty, you tell her you’re happy to share this moment. That kind of honesty eases tension because it shows you’re present and excited.

You also help her feel confident about saying yes in the first place. When you tell her you’re glad to be there, you create warmth right away and set a positive tone for the rest of the evening.

2. “You Look Amazing.”

A man and woman talking and smiling in an office setting.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

A woman invests time in her appearance for a first date, from her outfit to her hair to even the smallest details. Tell her she looks amazing to show you noticed that effort and appreciate the care she put into her look.

When you speak with sincerity, the compliment stays with her. It tells her she made a good choice to put herself together and that you see her as more than another face in the room.

3. “I Was Really Looking Forward To Tonight.”

A woman smiling while holding a strawberry during a conversation.
©Curated Lifestyle/Unsplash.com

This phrase proves you thought about her before the date, cleared your time intentionally, and planned the whole evening just for her.

Women want to feel that you valued the moment before it even happened. Saying you looked forward to it makes her feel important because it shows she had a place in your day long before you met.

4. “Tell Me More About That.”

A man and woman chatting while holding takeaway coffee cups.
©Curated Lifestyle/Unsplash.com

When she shares something meaningful, ask her to continue. It shows you’re invested in her words and want to understand her better.

The request encourages her to open up and reveal more of herself. It turns the conversation into a genuine exchange where she feels heard and respected.

5. “That’s Really Impressive.”

A man smiling warmly at a woman during a conversation in a restaurant.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Women want men to notice their accomplishments. When you respond with genuine admiration, you validate the hard work behind them. Whether she talks about her job, a project, or a skill, telling her it’s impressive matters.

You show you can celebrate her success and treat it with respect. That kind of acknowledgment strengthens her confidence and encourages her to keep sharing.

6. “I Love How You Said That.”

A smiling couple enjoying a meal together at a restaurant.
©Curated Lifestyle/Unsplash.com

This isn’t about what she said, but about how she expressed it. Point out her humor, her phrasing, or the spark in her delivery to highlight her personality.

Women enjoy hearing that you noticed something unique. Tell her you love how she said something to prove you’re paying attention to the details that make her stand out.

7. “That Sounds Like Fun.”

A happy couple taking a selfie while toasting with wine glasses.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

When she describes something she enjoys, respond with enthusiasm. It shows you respect her interests and want to share her excitement.

That kind of reaction helps her feel accepted. She sees that you welcome her passions instead of brushing them aside.

8. “You Have A Great Laugh.”

A smiling couple clinking champagne glasses at a restaurant.
©Curated Lifestyle/Unsplash.com

Compliment her laugh to show you notice the joy she brings to the moment. A remark about laughter always feels more personal than one about looks.

This makes her feel appreciated for her natural energy. When you say her laugh stands out, you give her a memory that lingers long after the date ends.

9. “I Can Tell You Care About That.”

A couple clinking glasses of red wine at a restaurant.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

When she talks with passion about something that matters, acknowledge it. Tell her you can see how much she cares.

That recognition proves you’re not only listening but understanding her values. It deepens the conversation and makes her feel respected.

10. “You Have Good Taste.”

A smiling couple enjoying burgers and fries at an outdoor restaurant.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Compliment her taste to show you admire her judgment. Whether she mentions music, movies, food, or style, the phrase signals that you notice her choices.

You prove you’re paying attention to more than surface details. You let her know her preferences reveal something appealing about who she is.

11. “That Reminds Me Of Something Funny.”

A woman smiling while dining and talking with a man at a restaurant.
©Curated Lifestyle/Unsplash.com

Bring humor into the moment by linking her words to a funny story. It creates a natural way to share something personal while keeping the mood light.

When you laugh together, you create ease. That shared moment makes the date feel fun and memorable.

12. “I Like How You Think.”

A woman smiling at a man while dining outdoors with salads and drinks.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Show her you admire her thought process, not only her appearance. Saying you like how she thinks highlights the value you place on her perspective.

It tells her her mind matters as much as her presence. That validation stays with her and leaves a lasting impression.

13. “That’s A Great Question.”

A couple clinking glasses of white wine while dining outdoors on a balcony.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

When she asks something meaningful, acknowledge it as a great question. You show you value her curiosity and her ability to guide the conversation.

This kind of remark encourages her to keep asking. She feels like her input adds something important to the exchange.

14. “I’m Having A Great Time.”

A woman holding a cup and smiling while talking to a man in a cozy café.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Say this to remove any doubt about how the date is going. It shows you’re enjoying yourself fully and not thinking about anything else.

That reassurance makes her feel comfortable. She knows the evening is a success and that you appreciate her company.

15. “You’re Really Easy To Talk To.”

A couple standing on a balcony with drinks and bread in hand.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Tell her she’s easy to talk to, so she knows she doesn’t need to overthink every word. It reassures her that the flow of conversation comes naturally.

That compliment tells her her presence alone makes the date feel engaging. She leaves knowing she contributed to a relaxed and enjoyable evening.

16. “That’s Cool You Did That.”

A smiling couple enjoying coffee together outdoors.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

When she shares an experience, recognize it. Say it’s cool to prove you’re interested in her stories and see value in what she chose to do.

This kind of response motivates her to keep opening up. It gives her confidence to share more of her life with you.

17. “I’d Love To Hear More About That.”

A group of friends laughing and clinking colorful drinks at a bar.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Invite her to share more when she talks about something meaningful. It shows you’re patient and willing to give her the space to expand.

That invitation makes her feel comfortable revealing more of herself. It proves you want to learn about her in depth.

18. “I’m Glad We Met.”

A relaxed couple sitting together outdoors wearing sunglasses.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

End the date with this phrase to leave a lasting impression. It’s sincere, warm, and simple, and it makes her feel that time mattered.

You confirm that the evening meant something. She walks away knowing the meeting counted for you and not as a random moment you’ll forget.

Dating & Confidence

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About TMM Staff

The Modest Man staff writers are experts in men's lifestyle who love teaching guys how to live their best lives.

If an article is published under TMM Staff, that means multiple writers worked on it. For example, sometimes several of us have experience with a certain brand, so we collaborate to publish a more thorough review.

Or, if an article was originally written by one person, but then it was updated by someone else, we'll re-publish it under TMM Staff.

Remember: all of our articles (including those below) are written by real people with decades of combined experience in men's fashion and lifestyle topics.

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