What does a successful lesbian date look like?

[Laura_7]

Thanks.
So I'm getting a sense that what I should look for is some sort of immediate connection, yes? Someone who seems willing to get physical right away, even if it's only cuddling or holding hands.
How does that happen? How do you telegraph to a woman when you're in a non-private setting that you're willing to get physical on the first date?

I hate to sound clueless and naive, but what sort of questions? What might stay in the realm of respectful, but still get my message across? This doesn't come naturally to me. Am I doomed to stay single?

Let's imagine getting into contact. On the street, a nice remark for example... nice earring... nice tshirt... where did you get it from...
on the internet a hint to their profile... i saw you also do... how far are you along ? ... or a remark to a photo...
Then keeping being interested, asking intersted questions, while giving glimpses from yourself. So its not an interrogation but an exchange.
ah you bought it at that store... I myself go more to... do you live in that part of town ? etc...
Being interested in people...
Now if it stays on that level a friendship is possible.
(and even here one or two cheeky remarks from time to time might show an unexpected side of you.)
To take it to the next level its possible to make some hints to the physical subject. How subtle the hints depend... on the persons and the situation.
I watched... movie. It was really romantic and made me all tingly ->physical subject brought up.
Its possible to talk about liking to read erotic novels... even about phantasies, how beautiful women are...
or how you saw a scene of kissing in the back yard in moonlight and how you would like to repeat that some day...
bringing it up, making the juices flow and seeing where it goes...

and imo its ok to start, often when two women are involved both wait for someone to make the first step, and the other one is glad it is made.

Now the firtst part of your question...
its some kind of bodily attraction, kind of an intense feeling... and mind you for a partnership also some connection on a friendship level is of advantage...
so this is not a necessity...
baseline is one or both people feel it, and try to act on it... 
it can go pretty fast if both people feel it because conversation is just a means to an end... people get closer, etc...

this by the way also is the case if you start out talking.
At one point the conversation gets physical, you touch each other.
Like you reach out for an earring of hers... you make a joke and touch her arm... you reach out to look at a bracelet...
this physical contact leads to more intimacy. You start to get used to it, its initiated more and more .

hugs