Make outs are absolutely essential for me before we go back to my place or her place. The reason is that I'm a pretty boring guy and if I don't get a make out fairly quickly the girl will lose interest me. For me a make out or an attempted make out is key.
Interestingly an attempted make out (during a cold approach) where the girl rejects the kiss can be just as effective in keeping a girl interested as an actual make out is. There have been times where I'll go in for a kiss and she will turn her head. Then we talk for a little while and I'll go in for another kiss and she will turn her head again. But after that she is super interested in me and doesn't go away even if we don't make out. Then eventually we will make out later on because she didn't go away like she would have if I didn't make the attempt.
Interestingly an attempted make out (during a cold approach) where the girl rejects the kiss can be just as effective in keeping a girl interested as an actual make out is. There have been times where I'll go in for a kiss and she will turn her head. Then we talk for a little while and I'll go in for another kiss and she will turn her head again. But after that she is super interested in me and doesn't go away even if we don't make out. Then eventually we will make out later on because she didn't go away like she would have if I didn't make the attempt.