When to Call After the First Date

If I get good vibes from the person and it appears that they are also interested, then I may immediately drop him a text saying, ‘Hey, today was fun.’
If I get a prompt-ish reply, I consider it a job well done. I am actually not someone who will call the other person. My dates are usually timed for lunch or early evening, so I usually make some sort of contact by night.

Rita, 26, doctor

I think the best thing to do is wait for a day before calling her back. That gives her time and lets her know that you are still thinking about her.
But I feel uncomfortable if the girl calls me first – I feel that would be too forward of the girl.

Njoroge, 31, corporate consultant

I actually have never had to call a person back, because I always get called. Usually, the calls come in by the end of the day, but I’ve even had a date call me within half an hour of our dinner concluding!

Mariah, 25, graphic designer

I try to act cool about the entire affair. I usually wait for the girl to message or call me, but if she hasn’t for three days, then I drop a text on the third day with a simple ‘Hey’.
As far as dates are concerned, my initial contact is all over a text, except in unforeseen circumstances, like when I’m running late for a meet. It’s only when I get comfortable with a girl that I pick the phone to call her.

Tariq, 29, lawyer

I was very late to the dating scene, and the first time I went out with someone, I was very nervous about the whole thing. I asked my friends, and they all unanimously said that I had to wait for three days before I call back.
So I did, and the girl was very angry and sarcastically asked me that since I went in for the first stereotype of waiting for three days before I called, whether I was also expecting that things would get heated between us on the third date.
That’s when I realised that there is no such thing as the ‘correct’ amount of time before one calls back. One should just do it when it feels right!

Andrew, 28, marketing manager

I take it slow and usually wait a couple days to reach out again, allowing myself to get a bit of space. I would drop a text or so, just to say ‘Hey’ and let him know I’m still thinking about him.
But a lot also depends on what kind of replies I get from him. If I get monosyllables or ‘K’ as a reply, I’ll lose interest. I’d also not call him if he floods me with texts. There has to be a happy, comfortable medium.

Jay, 32, teacher

I would never make the first call. I think that’s the guy’s job. I just wish some guys would call me the same day! It cuts out a lot of unnecessary stress about ‘will he, won’t he’.

Diva, 21, student