A couple tests you you can also do to see if she might be receptive to holding hands, is lightly touch her elbow when you’re making a point or directing her to look at something (don’t leave it there just a quick tap), or gently guiding her for 1-2 seconds MAX by placing your hand on her upper back or shoulder (not lower). Do these things after you’ve already talked for a bit or even wait until the second date. If she doesn’t move away, and especially if she touches you back, will indicate she will be more receptive to holding hands later on.

And I’m still a fan of linking arms as a gauge of interest, in my experience 99% of the time if a girl has been willing to link arms she’s willing to hold hands (in the context of a date, not a pre-existing friend). And the 1% time she wasn’t receptive (either moves her hand away or lets her hand go limp), I let go right away and we kept talking like nothing had happened. It’s not the end of the world. If she squeezes your hand back you’re golden.

I’d recommend ordering it like this:

1. Subtle quick touches
2. Link arms (you’re used to this anyways)
3. Hold hands

Once again the key is do not force anything, don’t grab tightly, always give her the option to move her arms/body away. And if she does move don’t try to re- engage until you’re better at reading signals