Yes, I am 26 but I don't know any women to date. The only women my age I talk to are women on JTF.
it helps to be friendly in real life with people have done it.. and most people have. Most people I am friendly with - not many - but those that I am friendly with! Have been through that already. In the modern orthodox world, there is some touching.
From what I understand...
You're not supposed to ask(otherwise it sounds like she's doing you a big favour).. And after a few dates, she is probably expecting some kind of touch anyway..
I know a guy that is a genius - at everything. And he does like to test the waters, he rarely messes up anything. And is very strategic/logical in everything he says and does. He did something minor(a small move), the girl didn't say no.. , so he took that as an OK. He actually then went a bit further. He judged whether the girl was comfortable. And he expressed complete confidence. If he was nervous it would have made the girl nervous.
I guess to some it sounds a bit manipulative.. a bit of a game. But really it's not wrong.. You have to test the waters, but without stepping over the line. If you don't test the waters, you won't move. So he knew that after a few dates, a touch is not crossing the line.. So he had no fear of doing that. You don't ask. The girl doesn't want somebody more timid than her. That's one of the reasons why girls want a partner!
I had a friend that spent a few weeks around a group of many girls - immature ones, to study them.. He came back from his adventure, with a report that they want a trophy, they want somebody to be proud of.. they want to feel protected. It's part of their femininity.
Obviously, in the more mature girls will want other things too, like money so you can live together ok. And in the really religious world, they will want somebody who is somewhat scholarly.. and observant. And these other things can factor in as more important than the whole trophy thing. But you don't want to violate those rules of the simple girl... i.e. you don't want to act like a nervous wimp.
You really need to talk to people in real life, that have done these things. People you know well.. People that are logical, and you trust, somebody who gives good advice. And express all your concerns.. At worst, an uncle, maybe! But preferably a friend of the same age, who is where you plan on being. In real life.. 'cos this is all about a real-life situation that you have a problem with.
I've seen a guy go up to a girl in the street and straighten her blouse!!! I am not suggesting anybody do that. But he managed it, and she was laughing.. Just because he was confident, and had a gentle voice and looked like a lighter version of "The Rock". But the point is, that imagine if he had been nervous, or most guys had done that, she would have screamed. A normal person could not have done it.. But the extreme example shows.. If he had been nervous, it wouldn't have worked.. That's an extreme example demonstrating the principle, regarding nervousness and confidence.