What First Dates Are Actually Like, in GIFs

When expectation fails to meet reality, animated.

August 16, 2013

Not Available Lead — Image via Complex Original

First dates are inevitably strange. Between the awkward gaps in conversaion, and fumbled kisses goodnight, the damage your self-esteem suffers after spending three hours with a stranger sometimes make the whole dinner-and-drink routine seem like a pointless dance.

But sometimes, when the stars align and your hair actually comes out awesome, first dates end in victory. Any by victory, we mean lots of crazy sex. Relive the highs and lows of courtship: What First Dates Are Actually Like, in GIFs.

RELATED: First We Feast - The Complete Guide to Choosing a Date Restaurant

When you work up the courage to ask her out, and against all expectations, she actually says yes.

When you spend three hours getting ready, and show up thinking you look slick as hell...

...but you sort of miss the mark

...but you sort of miss the mark.

When you pick her up, and she looks better than Beyoncé. Almost.

When you're trying to come up with interesting things to talk about, and fail miserably.

...and she excuses herself to the bathroom.

When she asks, "So what are you really about?" and you have an existential moment.

...before snapping yourself out of it and humble bragging for 15 minutes straight in an attempt to impress her.

When you ask her about herself, and you start to get the feeling she's a little weird...

...but she's really hot, so you don't care.

When you're deciding what to order, and pray she doesn't order the most expensive thing on the menu.

When you're sort of grossed out by how she chews with her mouth open...

...but ultimately decide it's endearing.

...but ultimately decide it's sort of endearing.

When she hints at how she's looking for a relationship...

...and you hint at how you're not.

When mid-conversation, you accidentally say something WAY TOO HONEST...

That awkward moment when the check comes...

When she suggests shots at the bar before you leave...

...and drops a hint or two that she might actually like you.

When you're all like, "I JUST NAILED THIS DATE"...

...and suggest a second date.

When you invite her up to your apartment...

and she reminds you that you live on the ground floor.

...and she reminds you that you live on the ground floor.

When she's sitting on your couch, and you're subtly trying to seal the deal.

That moment where she confirms your wildest hopes...

and you think it will be all like...

And you think it will be all like...

But it's MUCH MORE AWKWARD.

...but it's MUCH MORE AWKWARD.

Thankfully, it gets better. Much better. And when it's over you're all like...

Thankfully, it gets much better. And when it's over you're all like...

And she's all cute like, "I'm looking forward to seeing you again."

And she's all cute like, "I'm looking forward to seeing you again" while batting her eyelashes.

And you know what? So are you.

Editor's Pick

Magazine cover with bold text "Complex's Best Albums of the Year...So Far" and images of fire and a person in a white dress.

Music The Best Albums Of 2026 (So Far)

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, we offer up some tips for how to properly wear and style soccer jerseys.

Style How to Style Soccer Jerseys

Magazine cover featuring rappers Drake, Jay-Z, and Tierra Whack, titled "Complex's Best Rap Verses of the Year So Far."

Music The 15 Best Rap Verses Of 2026 (So Far)

Four individuals are featured in a "Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking" graphic, with bold text in the background. The figures are Fat Joe and Jadakiss, DJ Akademiks, and Loren LoRosa.

Music Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking: The 2026 Edition

Air Jordan 11 'Space Jam,' Air Jordan 3 'Laser,' Air Jordan 4 'Bred'

Sneakers Every Air Jordan Releasing in 2026

What First Dates Are Actually Like, in GIFs

When expectation fails to meet reality, animated.

When you work up the courage to ask her out, and against all expectations, she actually says yes.

When you work up the courage to ask her out, and against all expectations, she actually says yes.

When you spend three hours getting ready, and show up thinking you look slick as hell...

When you spend three hours getting ready, and show up thinking you look slick as hell...

...but you sort of miss the mark

...but you sort of miss the mark.

When you pick her up, and she looks better than Beyoncé. Almost.

When you pick her up, and she looks better than Beyoncé. Almost.

When you're trying to come up with interesting things to talk about, and fail miserably.

When you're trying to come up with interesting things to talk about, and fail miserably.

...and she excuses herself to the bathroom.

...and she excuses herself to the bathroom.

When she asks, "So what are you really about?" and you have an existential moment.

When she asks, "So what are you really about?" and you have an existential moment.

...before snapping yourself out of it and humble bragging for 15 minutes straight in an attempt to impress her.

...before snapping yourself out of it and humble bragging for 15 minutes straight in an attempt to impress her.

When you ask her about herself, and you start to get the feeling she's a little weird...

When you ask her about herself, and you start to get the feeling she's a little weird...

...but she's really hot, so you don't care.

...but she's really hot, so you don't care.

When you're deciding what to order, and pray she doesn't order the most expensive thing on the menu.

When you're deciding what to order, and pray she doesn't order the most expensive thing on the menu.

When you're sort of grossed out by how she chews with her mouth open...

When you're sort of grossed out by how she chews with her mouth open...

...but ultimately decide it's endearing.

...but ultimately decide it's sort of endearing.

When she hints at how she's looking for a relationship...

When she hints at how she's looking for a relationship...

...and you hint at how you're not.

...and you hint at how you're not.

When mid-conversation, you accidentally say something WAY TOO HONEST...

When mid-conversation, you accidentally say something WAY TOO HONEST...

That awkward moment when the check comes...

That awkward moment when the check comes...

When she suggests shots at the bar before you leave...

When she suggests shots at the bar before you leave...

...and drops a hint or two that she might actually like you.

...and drops a hint or two that she might actually like you.

When you're all like, "I JUST NAILED THIS DATE"...

When you're all like, "I JUST NAILED THIS DATE"...

...and suggest a second date.

...and suggest a second date.

When you invite her up to your apartment...

When you invite her up to your apartment...

and she reminds you that you live on the ground floor.

...and she reminds you that you live on the ground floor.

When she's sitting on your couch, and you're subtly trying to seal the deal.

When she's sitting on your couch, and you're subtly trying to seal the deal.

That moment where she confirms your wildest hopes...

That moment where she confirms your wildest hopes...

and you think it will be all like...

And you think it will be all like...

But it's MUCH MORE AWKWARD.

...but it's MUCH MORE AWKWARD.

Thankfully, it gets better. Much better. And when it's over you're all like...

Thankfully, it gets much better. And when it's over you're all like...

And she's all cute like, "I'm looking forward to seeing you again."

And she's all cute like, "I'm looking forward to seeing you again" while batting her eyelashes.

And you know what? So are you.

And you know what? So are you.

Trending

Editor's Pick