1. Pick a situation that is conducive to hand holding. Good times include while you're walking through a carnival or on the beach or sitting next to each other on the subway or at a movie theater. Bad times include while you both are trying to juggle oranges.
2 Make sure your hand is free of dirt, grime and debris. Likewise, make sure her hand is free to hold yours and she's not petting a dog or clutching her pocketbook with the hand you want to hold.
3 Place your hand on the girl's shoulder and give it a gentle squeeze.
4 Run your fingers down her arm, from her shoulder to her wrist.
5 Grasp her hand in a firm yet gentle manner. Leave your fingers together or intertwine them with hers, depending on what feels more natural and her hand's reaction. If she looks up at you, smile. If she pulls her hand away and screams, find a different girlfriend.