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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21 Giveaway Signs a Guy Likes You
1. He initiates
A guy is never going to repeatedly strike up conversations with a girl he’s not interested in. If he’s trying to disguise his real motives, he might find excuses to text or talk to you. Maybe he’ll claim to have a pressing question or say he wants to share a fascinating article with you. Regardless of the manner in which he goes about it, reaching out first is a giveaway that he’s itching to talk to you… because he’s into you.
MORE: 5 Telltale Signs He Likes You
2. He’s always around
Like a moth to a flame, if you find he always just seems to be nearby, that’s a substantial sign that he likes you.
He may opt for places where it would be easy to deny he’s there for you, such as a mutual friend’s party. But if he’s into you, he’ll always manage to gravitate to your corner of the room.
Less subtle signs include him suddenly frequenting places you regularly hit – like your gym or favorite sushi place. This is even more transparent than him managing to always be around you at social gatherings.
MORE: Signs He’s Not That Into You
3. He always texts you back
If a guy isn’t interested in you, he’s not going to bother putting time and effort into regular texting. Sure, some guys will answer for a while out of politeness, but if he’s always responding to your texts in a timely manner, that’s a heavy hint.
He also makes an attempt to keep the conversation going, rather than letting it fizzle out.
MORE: Major Signs He Doesn’t Like You
4. He remembers the details
It takes genuine brainpower to remember details about a person’s life. Sometimes we even forget important dates about people we truly care about. So if a guy files away everything you tell him and can recall it, that’s significant.
This will manifest itself in ways like him wishing you luck before an important interview, or asking how your aunt’s birthday party was. If you mention that your dog is feeling under the weather, don’t be surprised if he inquires how Sport is doing the next time he sees you.
These are not the kinds of things guys who are mere acquaintances will remember. When we like someone, we remember the details, even the most mundane and seemingly trivial.
MORE: Exactly How To Know If A Guy Likes You
5. He’s nervous around you
Our bodies often betray us when we are trying our best to appear cool and confident. Just like you often find your cheeks flushing and your mouth going dry when nervous, you’ll notice the same signs in him.
Instead of making eye contact with you, he’ll probably suddenly be fascinated by the string on his hoodie, and seem to totally forget how to use his hands. Now if he’s a nervous guy in general, this doesn’t mean much, but he might get extra nervous around you.
MORE: Ask A Guy: Signs A Guy Likes You
6. He grooms himself
Do you sometimes find yourself running your hand through your hair, pinching your cheeks, or adjusting your bra straps when an attractive guy approaches? This is normal preening behavior that we can’t help doing when we like someone.
When you get close to a guy who likes you, notice any changes he makes in his appearance. He might smooth back his hair, tuck in his shirt, or adjust his tie. These little alterations are sometimes subconscious, so it will be even easier for you to notice without him realizing it.
MORE: Body Language Cues That He Likes You
7. He follows your social media accounts … and pays close attention
In today’s world, being an active spectator of someone’s social media is a way to convey your interest. Even if he wants to play it cool, he probably won’t be able to help “liking” your statuses, watching your stories, or even commenting on your pictures. He’ll like the idea of being on your mind, and he’ll definitely want to stay updated on your life.
8.He stares a lot
We all just love to stare at the things – or people – that we like. If you notice a guy routinely looking at you, it’s a telltale sign that he’s interested.
If he’s still trying to be covert, he might jerk his head in another direction when you catch him looking. This action will likely be followed by a look of embarrassment or even a blush.
MORE: How to Tell if a Guy Likes You – 25 Ways to Know For Sure
9. He wants to know your entire story
There are polite inquiries, and then there are investigative questions. Small talk can include some vague, generic questions, and this doesn’t reveal much about his intentions. But if he’s pressing you with a variety of questions about every part of your life, that means something. He’s got an avid curiosity and he wants to know it all. When we like someone, we want to know their entire story front to back.
MORE: Signs He’s Flirting With You
10. He angles himself toward you
A guy will naturally point his feet and angle his body in the direction of the girl he likes. Women do this, as well. It’s a subconscious gesture that can tell you a lot about what a person is thinking. Watch his body language and see if he leans in when you speak, giving you his full attention. If he likes you, he won’t be distracted by other people milling around.
11. He won’t leave you hanging
A guy who cares about you will prioritize you. Date or not, if you have plans, he’ll be there. He will never stand you up. If he really does have to miss it for some reason, he’ll be fiercely apologetic and have a very good reason for it. When a guy really likes you, all he wants to do is spend time with you and the last thing in the world he’ll want to do is disappoint you.
MORE: Signs He Likes You But is Scared
12. He tries to impress you
It’s only natural for a guy to want to impress the girl he likes. He wants you to admire him. By finding ways to slip in highlights and accomplishments about his life, he’s betraying that your opinion really means something to him. Yes, some people will take any opportunity to humblebrag, but if he consistently talks himself up in front of you, take note.
13. He wants to know your relationship status
This will be one of the first things he brings up, and it makes sense. If a guy likes you, he’s going to want to know if you’re available and ripe for the picking.
He might just go ahead and ask you if you’re dating anyone. If he’s afraid you’ll read into his question, he’ll likely dance around the subject instead. He might ask who a guy in one of your social media pictures is, or if you are doing anything exciting on the weekend. If you have any mutual friends, he’ll probably glean your status from them instead of outright asking you.
14.He can’t help but touch you
Any guy who has feelings for you is going to be itching to make physical contact. This doesn’t mean in a creepy way. It’s more like he just can’t help wanting to brush shoulders with you, or will let your hands touch when you walk side by side. If you happen to initiate any light touches yourself, he will quickly reciprocate and do the same himself. He won’t reflexively pull away from your touches, he’ll embrace them.
15. He inquires about you
If the two of you have any mutual friends, those people will probably notice your name comes up on a regular basis. Even if he tries to bring you up casually, his interest in finding out more details about you will likely be pretty conspicuous.
MORE: 5 Signs a Guy is Scared to Ask You Out
16. He doesn’t talk to you about other girls
When a man likes you, the last thing he’s going to want to talk about is other girls. If you bring up another girl, even playfully, he’ll be quick to dismiss it and change the subject. It doesn’t matter if he’s trying to hide his feelings for you – he still won’t want to risk you believing he’s unavailable.
17. He’s helpful
Being friendly is one thing, but when you notice a guy jumping to help you at every opportunity, that means something. Even when he’s trying to act chill, he’ll be the first to offer assistance when you need it. In some cases, he might even come up with ways to make your life easier without you mentioning anything. Appreciate these sweet gestures as a way of him discretely showing he cares about you.
MORE: Signs He’s Into You But Too Scared to Make a Move
18. He jokes about being your boyfriend
Teasingly referring to himself as your boyfriend is a slick way for a guy to get a peek at what your reaction would be. It feels like a safe option because he can hide behind the implication of a joke if it doesn’t go well. Monitor your response to this thoughtfully, because he’ll definitely be searching you for clues.
19. He notices changes to your appearance
Commenting on changes in your appearance is a huge giveaway that he’s been paying plenty of attention. Only a guy who has been really been paying attention to you will be able to notice small changes. If he points it out when you try a new makeup technique or wear a new sweater, he’s revealing how much he cares.
20. He teases you
This technique dates back to the elementary days on the schoolyard when a guy would tank your pigtails as a sign of affection. Not much has changed except hopefully his teasing techniques have become slightly more sophisticated.
Teasing is a fun way to show affection without overtly showing affection. It’s endearing and fun, without being too obvious, so it’s the perfect choice for a man who likes you but doesn’t want to admit it. If a guy pesters you in a good-natured way, it’s a way to take your relationship to another level. It’s a much less intimidating way to do that than straight-up confessing to having feelings.
21. It’s obvious
At the end of the day, when a guy likes you, you’ll know it. Even if it’s a little grey in the beginning, after a while you’ll know for sure. You’ll be able to sense it in the way he looks at you, talks to you, and touches you. It’s an instinctive feeling that you won’t need a list of signs to recognize in your gut.
MORE: How To Figure Out If He Likes You
Final Thoughts
So what do you do if you can tell he likes you, but he still hasn’t made a move? For starters, acknowledge that he might never do it. Whether it be out of insecurity or just that he’s not in the right place for a relationship, he may never act on his feelings. If that’s the case, don’t do all the work for him. You deserve to be with someone who will meet you half-way.
Once you are comfortable with the idea that it might not be in the cards, feel free to try sending him a message. If he’s terrified of being rejected, behaving flirtatiously might be enough to spur him into action.
Show your interest without coming on too aggressively. Again, you want him to meet you in the middle here. Smile, laugh at his jokes, and offer him undivided attention when he speaks. Show your appreciation for him. Maintain meaningful eye contact for a few seconds longer than what would be normal for friends.
If he likes you and can overcome his fears, he’ll take things to the next level. But if he isn’t able to do that, let it go. Maybe one day he will pluck up the nerve, maybe not. Either way, you did all you could do and can move on without regret.
I hope this article helped you figure out if a guy likes you, even if he won’t admit it. Before you decide on your next move, you need to know that there is one defining moment in every relationship that determines if it will last, or if you will be left heartbroken, At some point, he will ask himself: Is this the woman I want to commit myself to? The answer will determine whether the relationship deepens, or ends. Do you know how a man decides a woman is “girlfriend material”? Do you know what inspires a man to want to commit? If not, you need to read this article next: The #1 Things Men Desire in a Woman
The next problem that can destroy your relationship comes when he starts to pull away and lose interest. Do you know what to do when this happens? If not, you run the risk of making the most common relationship-ruining mistakes. Read this now and learn exactly how to handle it: If He’s Pulling Away, Do This...
Take The Quiz: Does He Like You?
In summary…
21 Biggest Signs a Guy Likes You But Is Trying Not to Show It:
- He initiates
- He’s always around
- He always texts you back
- He remembers the details
- He’s nervous around you
- He grooms himself
- He follows your social media accounts, and pays attention
- He stares a lot
- He wants to know your entire story
- He angles himself toward you
- He won’t leave you hanging
- He tries to impress you
- He wants to know your relationship status
- He can’t help but touch you
- He inquires about you
- He doesn’t talk to you about other girls
- He’s helpful
- He jokes about being your boyfriend
- He notices changes to your appearance
- He teases you
- It’s obvious
