Or else some one else will swoop in and kiss your girl.

Depends on the girl you date tbh, Im not the one that engage usually, so I just act cute and dumb, then they engage

but yes not first date, if both of you established physical exchange is gonna happen b4 the first date probably but first date no kiss and getting friendzoned is quite untrue

Before kiss her, i think should start with holding hands and hug, if she comfortable with these, then you can start kissing her, coz when that time, she wont feel defense. Thats for relationship, if you talking about have sex with her, then it is different story.