“You have to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince!”

How many times has that phrase been cheerfully offered after a bad date (or three)? Dating can be so stressful that it sometimes feels like you’re taking a year off of your life every time you put yourself out there. There may be many times when you’re tempted to quit. Times when you want to just call the whole thing off, where you resign yourself to the fact that maybe you’ll just end up alone.

You may commiserate with your single friends by swapping dating horror stories. While these can be comical when told to an audience afterward, living through them is boring, at best. At worst – it’s frightening and sometimes downright torturous.

MORE: The Truth About Playing Games and the Chase

We come up with positive clichés to pass around in the hopes of making the exhausting struggle seem commonplace. Sometimes this works, and other times it just feels more depressing.

But the truth is, there is a way to make dating more enjoyable and to gain from the experience, rather than feeling like you’re losing your dignity and your mind. With the right tips and the right things to keep in mind, you can actually learn a lot about yourself, and maybe even find that special someone.

Here are some tips for navigating modern dating.

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“It is the differences between men and women, not the sameness, that creates the tension and the delight.” – Edward Abbey

Men and women are, undeniably, different. While these differences are something to be celebrated, it can make communication a challenge. It takes empathy and a desire for connection to break through these barriers.

MORE: 5 Things Every Woman Needs to Know About Men

You can’t routinely expect a man to want to hear the same things as you do. What makes you feel happy and loved is not always going to be what does the equivalent for him.

If you’re feeling a little lost about what your man wants to hear, here’s a list of suggestions to get started.

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So you want to know how to get a guy to like you, how to be more interesting and appealing to the opposite sex.

I don’t blame you for any confusion you might be feeling. Most of the information out there on this topic is horribly misguided. It tells you to hide interest, to play games, to make him chase you. This isn’t an effective long-term strategy. Sure, it might pique a guy’s interest, but it isn’t enough to sustain it, and isn’t that the goal? Where did we get the idea that men want aloof women who play hard to get? It’s one thing to have a little mystery around you, but it’s an entirely separate thing to act distant and cold to the man you’re interested in.

MORE: The Top Signs A Guy Doesn’t Like You

Here is a key thing to understand about men: men move toward what feels good. If it feels good to be around you, he’ll want to be around you a lot.

Try to remember this when you are interacting with the guy you like. Being kind and lively is going to serve you well. Being an ice queen, meanwhile, will leave you lonesome. This is the core understanding that underlies all the points in this article.

But let’s dive a little deeper and look at what it takes to get a guy to really like you:

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Much of the time, when a guy likes you he makes it clear and obvious. That’s why it can be so perplexing when you think a guy likes you, but you’re not 100% sure. You don’t want to waste time pining after someone who’s not interested, but it really seems like he’s interested, so you can’t let it go either.

There are a few reasons a guy would hesitate to make a move. It could be that he can’t tell if you like him and he doesn’t want to put himself out there until he has some evidence that he won’t be rejected. Some guys are just naturally more shy and need more time than others to get the ball rolling. Additionally, it could be that he’s not in the right headspace for a relationship.

MORE: These Are the Biggest Signs a Guy Doesn’t Like You

If you feel like you’re getting mixed signals and need help deciphering them, this article will clear up the confusion. Read on for clues that a guy likes you, no matter how hard he might try to hide it.

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Is there anything more relatable than listening to a girl wonder aloud if a guy likes her? That particular human experience is universal. Everyone knows the vulnerability of liking someone. Just the very idea of confessing your feelings is alarming enough to make a team of energetic butterflies swirl pirouettes in your stomach.

MORE: Know Exactly How He Feels (Or Doesn’t Feel) With the 11 Biggest Signs He Doesn’t Like You

Just like women, guys want to do their best to avoid the crush of rejection. Eventually, one of you has to be the first to admit their feelings. To make this prospect a little less terror-inducing, guys will look for signs that you like them beforehand. Sure, sometimes signals can be misread. But a little evidence is better than nothing when summoning the courage to make your intentions known.

Here are the signs that he’s in the process of gauging how you feel about him.

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It can feel hard enough trying to figure out if a guy likes you, but even harder when it comes to figuring out how to tell if a shy guy likes you.

Kids have amusing ways of deducing whether or not someone likes them. These methods might include asking other friends to ask the object of their affection “who they like.” Let’s not forget the classic pulling of daisy petals – “he loves me, he loves me not.” Raise your hand if you also tried to count the petals in advance and rig your chances!

It seems that even as women grow older and wiser, the age-old question of whether or not a guy likes you remains frequently indecipherable. You ask your friends for help as you attempt to decode text messages, and then promptly wonder if you’re reading too far into things. People offer conflicting advice, and the confusion about what kind of signal you’re getting can be enough to make you freeze up.

MORE: 5 Telltale Signs He Likes You

All of this typical back-and-forth becomes even more bewildering when the guy you are interested in is shy. When a guy lacks the confidence to show you how he feels, sometimes you have to do some sleuthing of your own. At the same time, this can feel scary because what if you are trying to see signs where there aren’t any?

Here are some hints to look for when you are wondering if a guy on the shy side is into you.

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Having to navigate the waters of romantic texting is a relatively new predicament. Our grandparents may have occasionally dabbled in poetic letters, but that can’t quite compare to the unique set of challenges that come along with texts.

In some ways, it seems less intimidating to text a guy than to communicate in person. You have more time to think of sharp, witty things to say. If he says something you totally don’t understand, you can consult with your friends before giving an answer. You don’t have to be hyper-aware of your body language, or of reading his.

MORE: The Biggest Signs He Doesn’t Like You

But a lot of the time, texting just makes it harder. Those pesky body language cues are massively helpful – not only for understanding his intentions, but also for making yours known. Humor is harder to portray over text. Worst of all, if you say something dumb, it’s forever in writing. You get to stare at it in panic as you wait an excruciatingly long time for him to text back.

Here are some guidelines to help you text your crush to get the conversation going:

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When a friend asks you for an opinion as to whether or not a guy likes her, it’s probably not too tough for you to formulate an opinion. It’s much easier to gauge this kind of thing when you’re looking at it as an objective third party.

MORE: The Top Signs He Doesn’t Like You

Of course, when it comes to deciding if your own crush likes you, the formerly simple notions blur into a muddling mess. You doubt your own powers of deduction, and for good reason. It is significantly harder to examine a situation fairly when your own emotions are part of the equation.

To make this daunting process a little simpler, here are some key signs that your crush likes you.

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“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu

Anyone who’s been in love can relate to that flicker (or tidal wave) of panic at the idea of being the first one in the relationship to say it. You know, those three powerful words. You’ve heard them said out loud so many times that they almost lose their meaning. So why are they abruptly terrifying when you try to make your own mouth utter them to a special someone for the first time?

MORE: The Biggest Signs He’s in Love With You

Loving is the most vulnerable thing we do. For something that happens to everyone, it’s surprisingly unique to each person experiencing it. You feel like you’re charting undiscovered territory as you navigate falling in love. Once you feel it, you get the urge to scream it from the rooftops. At the same time, if you haven’t said it to your person yet, even whispering the words seems a task far too daunting for a mere mortal.

To summon the courage to admit your feelings, observe your partner. There are tangible signs that a man is in love if you look for them.

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You and your ex have been broken up for a little bit, or maybe even a long bit. You’re moving right along, trying to put the pieces of your life back into place … and then he texts you. How do you respond?

This can be a really nerve-wracking situation, especially if you want him back. If you don’t want him back, well you just want something quick and short to send him the message loud and clear that it’s done.

Your ex can resurface for any number of reasons. He’s bored, he’s lonely, he’s horny, things aren’t going well with his new girlfriend, he’s still in love with you (read this article for the exact signs he is), or he just misses you…

(If you want to know how to get back together with him, be sure to read this article.)

Whatever the reason is, I’ve come up with the perfect response for every scenario. I’ve also given you options of what to say if you do or don’t want him back. Just follow these scripts to take all the stress out of wondering what to say when your ex texts you.

Here we go:

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Unless you’re a secret mind reader, you’ve spent a little time – okay, maybe a whole lot of time – wondering if a guy likes you. Every girl has.

Just like women, men fear rejection. There are many possible explanations for why a guy who likes you hasn’t admitted it yet.

MORE: This is Exactly How to Know if a Guy Likes You For Sure

Being patient when you like a guy can be tricky, but do yourself a solid and take the time to make some observations. Once you have a better idea of whether or not he likes you, then you can decide how you should best proceed.

Read on for the signs that a guy likes you, as well as some advice on what to do about it.

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“I’m so afraid of losing something I love, that I refuse to love anything.” – Jonathan Safran Foer

Love can make you feel like you are invincible. Every clichéd love song suddenly rings true with a new meaning. Food tastes better, sunsets are prettier. You’re so full of sweetness that you’re tempted to lavish it on strangers just because you want to spread that blissful feeling. It’s the same for men as it is for women, we also love being in love!

Where there is a potential for great reward, there tends to also be a great risk. Love is probably the best and the scariest thing we do. That potential for rejection and devastation can make it really challenging to truly let yourself fall for someone.

MORE: 11 Undeniable Signs He’s In Love With You

Saying the phrase “I love you” is just that – a phrase. They are beautiful words, but they don’t create a binding contract. Hearing those words is not always enough to make you rest easy in your relationship. And some guys just might not be so comfortable saying them, even if it’s how he feels. Other guys may be too comfortable saying those words, even when they aren’t quite in that state.

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You and your boyfriend broke up and to add to your pain, he’s dating someone new. Is it for real, or is he in a rebound relationship? (And you desperately hope it’s the latter!)

The world is full of varying and conflicting opinions. What’s one thing everyone can agree on? Easy. Breaking up with someone sucks.

Whether you are the one initiating the breakup or the one being left, it’s just undeniably painful. This universally agreed upon suffering is amplified when you see your former flame in a new relationship. There’s no good way to discover this information.

Scrolling through your social media and coming across a picture of them together is awful enough to make your mouth dry and your cheeks flush. Sometimes it’s a knowledgeable friend that fills you in. Hopefully, you don’t endure the much worse scenario of learning the shocking news by running into the new couple somewhere (and usually it will happen when you’re makeup free, greasy haired, and wearing your old stained sweats because of course, that’s how it would happen!).

MORE: This is How to Get Your Ex Back in 5 Steps (With Testimonials)

Regardless of how you uncover the scoop, you’re bound to be curious about it. Even if you don’t want to get back together, it’s only human to want to know. Are they serious? Or is it a typical rebound relationship? And if you do want to get your ex back, that’s also easier than you might think, even if he is seeing someone new.

Here are some signs that the relationship is not going to go the distance:

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The art of conversation seems to be mostly lost these days, but that doesn’t mean it has lost any importance! Knowing how to start and carry a conversation is something that will help you in all areas of your life.

When you are able to have conversations and start off strong, you capture a person’s interest. Whether it’s a potential lover, friend, potential employer, or random stranger off the street, your first impression will always matter,

MORE: Amazing Questions to Ask a Guy 

Having a great conversation these days is becoming increasingly rare. Blame Tinder, blame social media, blame whatever you want to blame—this is our reality. But it gives you an opportunity to stand out from the crowd when you can be truly “present” in a conversation. That’s the only way to win people over and really capture their interest and intrigue.

So let’s talk about the best ways to start a conversation.

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Breakups are awful, and what can make them even worse is when he’s moved on but you haven’t. It may feel like you’re in a rut, stuck in the same place. It may feel like you just need more time to heal. But maybe you’re rationalizing things and deluding yourself into thinking you’re over it when you aren’t even close. If you suspect you haven’t quite fallen out of love, you likely haven’t.

If you think you’re not over him, you may still need further confirmation of that so you can figure out what to do next.

MORE: How to Get Your Ex Back in 5 Steps Guaranteed

Being honest with yourself is the first step. Only after that can you figure out where you’re at and where you want to be so you can begin moving forward.

Here are the signs you’re still in love with your ex.

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“I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.”
Love is strange and mysterious: it can happen in the blink of an eye before we know what hit us, or it can envelop us slowly.
Because it’s not always the same for everyone, a lot of people don’t understand what love truly is. They mistake infatuation and obsession with true love because they can feel the same sometimes. The problem is that when you confuse infatuation with real love, it can mean getting overly invested when you shouldn’t, or spending too much time with the wrong person.

Why would you mix up infatuation with true love? It’s not always easy to tell the difference. Fears and insecurities can get in the way and cloud your judgment. If you’re busy worrying that he doesn’t love you back, or that he’ll never commit, or that he’s going to leave you, you’ll be in your head so much it will be impossible to be in your heart.

MORE: 11 Undeniable Signs He’s In Love With You

Even if you’re not feeling insecure, both infatuation and love cause chemical reactions in us that change the way we think and behave, and that can also cloud our judgment.

Some people say, “you just know,” but that simply isn’t always the case. Sometimes it helps to think it through and know the concrete signs that it’s more than infatuation. If you’re wondering if it could be love, look for these indicators.

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“Would You Rather” is a game that never gets old. Whether on a date to get to know someone, or in a long car ride to pass the time, it’s fun, often hilarious, thought-provoking, and always a good time.

It can be used in pretty much any situation and always create an “opening” for someone to overshare and reveal humiliating, hilarious, and shocking details about who they are.

This game, as crazy and silly as it might sound, can be a fun way to get people talking. You can use these questions in a group situation, when you’re alone with someone, or even via text!

MORE: Amazing Questions to Ask a Guy – The Only List You Need

Tip: always ask a follow up if someone reveals something particularly interesting. This sets you up to learn more about them. By asking something you are genuinely interested in you also set yourself up to win because you are more likely to have a genuine connection and conversation!

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So I’ve been seeing this guy for a few months now. At first, everything was amazing. We hit it off right away and during the first few weeks, he seemed super into me. He would text me things like, ‘I miss you’ and ‘Can’t wait to see you’ and on our second date he said he ‘never liked a girl so much after only two dates’. He was also super attentive and super sweet.

All this was great, but then he started to shift and lately has been acting really shady- he cancels on me last minute, he’s been acting distant, and I’m just getting weird vibes. At first, I thought he was just trying to end things, but then from time to time, he’ll text me something really sweet, like about how much he wants to see me, or that he’s been thinking about me, so obviously, he’s still interested or why would he do that?

Anyway, I’m really confused by his behavior, my friends say I should just forget him but I really feel like we could have something great and I’m not ready to throw in the towel just yet.

Am I deluding myself? Please help! Why are guys like this!?

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So you want to play Truth or Dare to spice things up and have a little fun. Raw honesty makes people feel stimulated and intrigued in our boring world full of half-truths and politically correct answers to emotionally charged questions.

It’s fun being able to see otherwise composed people embarrassed and open.

Playing truth or dare isn’t only for high schoolers… it can be a fun game no matter what age you are and no matter what situation you’re in!

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Truth or dare is a great way to bond with your friends, and create tons of memories and bellyache-inducing laughter. It’s not just for high-school students, this game can be a blast at any age.

While it’s meant to be a little wild and crazy, it’s not meant to land people in the hospital or in jail, so just keep that in mind when playing the game! But still, you don’t want the game to be a snooze fest. To help you mix it up, whether you’re playing with friends, with a guy you like, with a group of people at a party, and so on, we’ve created the ultimate list of dares that are fun, wild, and totally legal!

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Communication is key in a relationship. And nothing keeps a bond eternally strong like communicating how much you love your partner. Saying “I love you” is an obvious way to go, but that can get flat and stale over time, especially if it just becomes a part of your routine and “I love you” is just another way of saying hi and bye.

Saying “I love you” isn’t the only way to communicate that you love someone. And sometimes, stepping outside of convention and thinking of something new conveys even more love, appreciation, and positive regard.

Making a point to consistently affirm your love and affection for your partner is what will keep your relationship strong and happy. It’s all too easy to just settle into complacency in a relationship, but that’s what causes relationships to wither and die. You need to look at your relationship almost like a plant, it needs to be watered and tended to in order to grow and thrive. The way to nourish your relationship is to express your love and admiration. (Make sure to also read this article on questions to ask a guy to reach a whole new level of depth and connection in your relationship.)

And with that, let’s look at 35 beautifully romantic and unique ways to say ‘I love you.” You can go old school and write them as a note, be new age and text them, or say them out loud while looking your partner in the eye. No matter what, these are guaranteed to convey your deep and profound love.

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So you want to play “Never Have I Ever” and feel included in the somewhat silly but entertaining  game.

Never Have I Ever is a good icebreaker if you’ve just met someone and want to get to know them better, and a fun way to get even closer to someone you already know. You can find out all sorts of wild, embarrassing stories that might shock you (for example, your straight-laced best friend might have had a wild past snorting drugs on top of a cop car. OK, not literally, but you know what I mean…)

MORE: Amazing Questions to Ask a Guy You Like

The point of “Never Have I Ever” is to discover information you wouldn’t have otherwise known, whether it’s interesting facts or surprising stories.

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It’s hard to admit when a guy isn’t serious about you, especially when you really like him. Usually, you’ll feel it in your gut but you’ll avoid facing it. When you’re hopeful about things it’s just easier to make excuses for his behavior and focus on any shred of evidence that he likes you enough to take it to the next level.

The thing is, he can like you but not want to be in a serious relationship with you. This is why so many women get confused.  Just because he wants to spend time with you … he keeps asking you out … he stays in touch and sends you sweet texts every day … this doesn’t mean he’s serious about you. These things mean he’s into you, but they don’t necessarily mean he sees a long-term future with you.

The only way you can tell if he’s serious or not is to be objective when it comes to your love life. This is a tough skill to learn, but it’s very important and can save you from endless heartache.

MORE: 5 Signs He’s Never Going To Commit

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It’s a scary feeling when a guy you’re seeing seems to be pulling away. You aren’t sure if he’s actually withdrawing or if your own insecurities are acting up and making you paranoid. Even worse, if he is withdrawing you don’t know why, let alone what you should do about it.

Often, a woman prematurely panics when she thinks a guy is pulling away and assumes it means he’s lost interest in her … when his behavior is actually perfectly normal or caused by something totally unrelated to his feelings for her.

The problem is that panicking can create a problem where there wasn’t one in the first place. He may not have been pulling away at first because of anything to do with you, but he’ll probably start pulling away for real as a result of your behavior.

MORE: The Top 3 Reasons Why Men Pull Away 

We’re going to look at the things men do that cause women to panic and think men are withdrawing and losing interest. These behaviors are usually signs that he’s pulling away, but pulling away doesn’t always mean losing interest—there can also be other explanations.

We’ll talk about some of those explanations, and then we’ll tell you what you can do about it.

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You are ready to commit … but is your man on the same page?

It’s a very common question that plagues many women so let’s get into it and talk about the signs a man is ready to commit because no one wants to waste their time, right?

There is this idea that men are commitment-phobes. The second a guy hesitates about his feelings for a girl, he’s branded a “phobe.” But that’s not true. Most guys aren’t commitment-phobes, they’re bad relationship-phobes. Is that a thing? I think we should make it one!

Guys aren’t afraid of relationships, we’re afraid of bad relationships. Most guys don’t go out seeking commitment. We’re not usually on a quest to find a relationship. We date around and then when we meet a girl who just makes everything better… we want to be around her more and more. And before we even realize it, we’re in it. We’re committed and can’t imagine life without her. It’s as simple as that.

But what are the signs he’s ready? How do you know if you’re dating a guy who is ready to commit, or if you’re wasting time on a dead end?

Here is how to know:

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When a guy likes you, it’s obvious. It will be clear to you and everyone else around you. But if a guy likes you at work … it’s going to be just a little less obvious.

And the reason for this is pretty obvious: getting involved with someone you work with isn’t always the best idea. Well, it is if the relationship works out … but if it doesn’t, things can get ugly and incredibly uncomfortable.

At the same time, your workplace might be a great place to meet men, a definite step up from bars and clubs and so much easier than sifting through an endless sea of faces on dating apps.

MORE: How to Know If He Likes You for SURE 

And when you meet a guy at work who you click with, you may be tempted to throw caution to the wind and start a relationship. But does he feel the same? Now, this is where it gets tricky.

Your work may even have a policy that prohibits coworkers from dating, which is an extra hurdle. Or maybe the guy just has a personal

If you’ve decided that the pros outweigh the cons and you’re interested in someone at work, how can you tell if he likes you?

The bottom line is, a guy may hesitate to start anything because if it ends, it can impact not just his romantic life but his professional life as well.

The signs a coworker likes you are similar to signs a guy likes you in general, with the caveat that he may hesitate to act on his feelings, or he may be less clear about his feelings because you’re coworkers and he doesn’t know where you stand and doesn’t want to make things awkward or uncomfortable.

So is he just being a good coworker, or does he really like you? If you’re not sure, look for these subtle signs that he’s into you. [continue reading…]

We’ve talked a lot on A New Mode about how to tell if a guy likes you and how to tell if he doesn’t. We’ve also fielded tons of questions from you about how to tell if he’s losing interest or has lost interest completely.

But what can you do if he seems to be losing interest? Can you regain it if it seems to be slipping? And can you get it back if it’s totally lost?

If you’ve been paying attention and can identify the signs your man is losing interest, it’s possible to salvage things and re-route from the negative direction you’re headed in. Maybe you need to make changes in the way you relate to him, or maybe you need to make changes in your approach to your own life. Most likely you need to do a little bit of both.

It may seem counterintuitive, but what you want to do is usually exactly what you shouldn’t do.

These six steps are actually things you should integrate into your life all the time. If you do them consistently, you’ll have happier, healthier, overall better relationships.

If a man you’ve been seeing seems to be losing interest, review this list to make sure you’re on the right track and adjust as needed.

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“Does he like me?” I think we’ve all asked ourselves this question at one point or another!

It’s not always so straightforward. There will be times when you’re positive he likes you… and other times where it seems like maybe he doesn’t like you, maybe he’s just being friendly, or maybe he’s just shy or insecure. Maybe maybe maybe, the maybes can drive you nuts!

Though it can seem confusing, there are several ways to tell if a guy likes you for sure. When you know what to look for, answering “does he like me?” will be a snap. [continue reading…]

It’s not always easy to tell if a guy is flirting or just being friendly. When someone flirts with you, it’s an amazing feeling. It makes you feel attractive and desirable. It can send a warm jolt of electricity through your body. Whether it’s verbal flirting, like playful banter, or physical flirting such as playful touches, flirting is fun!

But what if you don’t know if he’s flirting with you? It’s not always easy to tell if he’s attracted to you or if he’s just being nice.

First and foremost, don’t obsess over it. This never does any good and if anything, may cause him to lose any attraction he felt toward you. Instead, just relax and have fun.

To help guide you a bit, here are the biggest signs that he is definitely flirting with you.

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