Image: Midjourney/ MomJunction Design Team
Many girls are not comfortable asking guys out, so they want them to make the first move. However, this can only be possible if the guy is sure of your feelings. If you are wondering how to let a guy know you are interested, read this post and try out the tips. Sometimes, men are naive and may not catch your hints. Also, you might not want to look desperate. So, you need to be clear in expressing your feelings. Understanding the fine balance between subtle hints and direct communication can significantly enhance your approach. However, if you are unsure how to communicate with him and take your relationship to the next step, keep reading for some easy ways to indicate that you like him and appreciate his company.
Key Pointers
- Portray your interest in him by being approachable, and maintaining eye contact.
- Be interested in his life. Ask him questions, praise him and remember little details about him.
- If nothing works, gather the courage and discuss your feelings with him.
15+ Ways To Let A Guy Know You Are Interested
Do not lose hope if the guy you like does not show any signs of asking you out. He probably doesn’t know you like him or could be scared of rejection. Try any of these ways to let him know you are interested in him and pave the way for him to ask you out.
1. Talk to him
If you are a girl who only moves around with your girlfriends, he might not know that you like him at the very first glance. You can stick to your girl gang, but try to strike a conversation with him. Ask him for his help. Smile at him when he is around. Let him know that you are approachable, and give him opportunities to approach you.
2. Be friendly
If he tries to initiate a conversation with you, give him a positive response. You may feel tempted to seem mysterious, but you can drop that idea. Sometimes, guys may not understand your games and may quit chasing after a girl who is hard to get. Instead, be nice to him and show interest in talking to him.
Point to consider3. Text him
If he doesn’t text you, you may initiate a chat first – and that’s fine. However, send text messages in a subtle manner to avoid coming across as desperate. That could happen when you bombard his inbox with constant messages to seek his attention. On the other hand, if he messages you first, reply as soon as possible. Do not try to play or delay replying as he might lose interest. So, cut the chase game and keep the route to you clear.
4. Use the right body language
Body language is a powerful tool for communicating your feelings non-verbally and showing your liking for him. It can convey as much as your words and is key in communicating your thoughts, feelings, and emotions (1). When you talk to the guy, maintain eye contact, listen carefully, and softly lean towards him. Nodding your head and smiling also gives him a positive vibe and shows you are interested in listening to what he says. It gives him the confidence to talk to you.
5. Touch him lightly
Touch is another powerful non-verbal medium of communication. If you have been interacting with him for a while and share a good rapport, you can take things a little further by touching him lightly. A light and quick touch on his arms, shoulder, or knee should be enough.
6. Look your best
Do not meet him just after waking up from your sleep—he may think you are lazy and not interested in him. When you look presentable, he would notice the effort and appreciate that you got ready, especially for him. He will get the green signal that you are interested.
Mother, grandmother, and writer Kate writes about how her friend Cassie could attract more men than her when dating. She writes in her blog, “The thing with Cassie was that she would dress up for the men… I, on the other hand, was fairly shy. I dressed much more conservatively… The way I carried myself screamed YOU’LL HAVE TO PUT IN SOME EFFORT (i).”
7. Flirt with him
Flirting is a clear sign of liking someone. If subtle hints do not seem to be working, confidently flirt with him to express your interest more clearly. It shows how confident you are. So, pull your socks up and look up articles on how to flirt with guys. Just ensure you are not too cheesy. You could start by laughing and giggling at his jokes—studies suggest it is a good flirtation tactic for both genders (2).
8. Compliment him
Offering compliments to a guy conveys how much you notice him. But do not try to butter him up with fake compliments. Be sincere and tell him what you like about him. It can be his hairstyle, dress sense, or anything you feel makes him stand out. Your compliments will boost his confidence, and he would want to talk to you.
Do remember9. Take an interest in his personal life
Asking him about his personal goals and ambitions shows you are interested in knowing more about him. Be a patient listener when he shares his personal life with you. Do not judge him for his choices and preferences. Ask him open-ended questions that allow him to share more about himself. This will help him know you are interested in learning about him, engage him in deeper conversations, and build stronger emotional connection.
Hanna Witton, a YouTuber from the UK, reveals how she learned about his boyfriend’s favorite video game to present him with a meaningful gift. She says, “So Dan is a big fan of the game League of Legends. And his favorite champion to play is Poppy. And so I went on Etsy, and I was like, can I find a League of Legends Poppy keyring (ii)?”
10. Remember his details
If he says that the 4th of July is his pet’s birthday, note it down and wish his pet. He will be surprised and would know how important he is to you.
11. Laugh at his jokes
Laughing at his jokes signals that you enjoy his company. If he likes you too, he will try to make you laugh more often. But do not fake a laugh. It will make you look desperate for his attention. If his jokes are lame, roll your eyes, but do not shy away from bursting into cackling laughter when he is funny.
12. Give him a nickname
Try calling him by a nickname. The nickname can be related to something funny he has told you about himself or something that you feel fits him the best. Do not share this name with anyone else. Ensure the name is not demeaning or mocking in any way. If he doesn’t like the name, do not use it as he may distance himself from you.
13. Tell him you think about him
Suppose the guy is into MMA, and while driving, you happen to see a billboard of an MMA event, click a picture and send it to him saying that it reminded you of him. Share a song or tell him an actor looks like him. All these gestures show you are thinking about him.
Point to consider14. Take his recommendations seriously
His liking for something is a reflection of his personality. If he recommends watching his favorite movie or reading his favorite book, do it. When you take his recommendations seriously, he will know you value his opinion, and that would make him feel important to you.
15. Tell him upfront
Even after you have learned the tricks and tips mentioned above, if the tough nut does not crack, speak up. Muster up the courage to tell him directly. It might seem scary at first, but you will feel light and relieved once you confess your feelings. Learn how to ask a guy out–you could use a pick-up line or tell him directly. He may like you for being bold and confident.
Engineer, director, and actor Jaden Craymer talks about how she got the courage to tell her crush about her love. She writes in her blog, “The fear of rejection is what kept me from telling my crush how I felt for so long…But then, I realized that life is too short to be afraid. I needed to take a chance and just tell them how I felt. So, one day, I mustered up all the courage I had and I just said it.” Thankfully, the move went well for her. She adds, “To my surprise, my crush felt the same way! We started dating and it’s been the happiest time of my life. I can’t imagine not having them in my life now (iii).”
16. Watch your teasing
Teasing can be a playful and lighthearted way to express interest in someone. Using light physical touch to tease, like a gentle poke, a playful tap, or a friendly shove, can convey interest. You can even shower compliments with a teasing twist instead of the straightforward ones to keep up the element of playfulness.
17. Groom him
Make sure to help him if his shirt is not tucked correctly or his collar is untidy. Enhancing his attractiveness enhances his physical appeal and is a subtle way to convey your interest.
Mistakes To Avoid While Telling A Guy You Are Interested
If you really like a guy, go ahead and let him know. However, here are a few common mistakes you should avoid to make sure you do not push him away.
- Coming on too strong too soon: If you show too much interest too quickly, he can feel overwhelmed. While it is good to express interest, do not act as if you are obsessed with every aspect of his life. Give him space to develop feelings for you in his own time.
- Being too subtle: While coming on too strongly is not recommended, being too subtle can hinder your chances of letting him know your intentions. Some men may not pick up your signals or might not understand them at all. Work a balance between showing too much interest and seeming too aloof or subtle.
- Confessing in a public setting: If you tell him you are interested in a public setting, he might feel uncomfortable. It may also put him on the spot as he feels he has to respond in a certain way to get public approval. Choose a private, stress-free environment for this discussion.
- Expecting a specific response: While you like him, it may be unclear whether he has the same feelings for you. You might feel he reciprocates your feelings but he might be just friendly. Hence, do not expect him to respond in the same way. Give him time to process your declaration and respond however he likes.
- Playing too hard to get: If you think he is also interested in you, you can play a bit hard to get. However, do not take it too far. If he feels you are too aloof or distant, he might think you are not interested at all and might give up.
- Overthinking everything: Do not read too much into his actions and responses. For example, if he replies to a text after a slight delay or you have an awkward conversation, it does not mean he is not interested.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should I confess my feelings to a guy?
There is no fixed timeframe to confess your feelings to a guy. Your decision should depend on the situation and the depth of your relationship. However, before confessing your feelings, be sure about your feelings and what you want in the relationship. Think about how your confession of love might affect you as a person and your relationship with the person. Also, be prepared for any outcome of your action.
2. How do I know if I like the guy or just the attention?
If you like the guy and have genuine feelings for him, your connection with them will become stronger over time, and you will feel a sense of safety and security when you think about him. Your relationship would be based on honesty and trust. However, if you are just attracted to the attention and care he gives, you would feel anxious when you do not get his attention. If your feelings for him are superficial, it is unlikely that you would be interested in getting to know him and demonstrating support for him.
3. How should I act in front of a guy who rejected me?
Getting rejected by someone you love can be a bitter pill to swallow. However, understand that rejection is normal, and it is okay for someone to be not attracted to you. Rejection does not mean you are not worthy of love or a relationship and should never make you feel less about yourself. So, never appear vulnerable or dejected in front of the guy who rejected you. Instead, be confident and optimistic about finding the right person.
If you like a guy but don’t feel comfortable discussing such feelings with them directly, you may use hints and gestures to express your feelings. These tips on how to tell a guy that you like him will help you let him know your intentions. Some of the best ways to be close to him and let him know how you feel are by talking to him, using the right body language, complimenting him, or flirting with him. Remember, any step you take should be genuine and honest. Sincere feelings are admired and appreciated by all. We hope you win his heart, and if you do, here are a few tips on how to keep him interested forever.
Infographic: Ways To Show A Guy Your Interest In Him
Spending time with the man of your dreams or your crush? Your heart will be full of anticipation and joy. But, if you are unsure whether your liking is mutual or you’re too shy to tell him how you feel, see the infographic for simple ways to hint to him that you are interested.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Yearning to express your interest to someone but unsure how? Unveil the subtle art of body language with this informative video, presenting 17 revealing signs to show him that you’re interested.
Illustration: Simple Ways To Let A Guy Know You Are Interested
Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team
Personal Experience: Sources
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. My Friend Cassie Attracted Men Like I Never Could;.https://medium.com/long-after-the-thrill/my-friend-cassie-attracted-men-like-i-never-could-80c3b383bbca ii. Why I proposed to my boyfriend | Hannah Witton;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvjW1LOUW5E iii. Confessing My Love: How I Finally Mustered the Courage to Tell My Crush;
https://medium.com/jadencraymer/confessing-my-love-how-i-finally-mustered-the-courage-to-tell-my-crush-aa2fe3e91edc
References
- Body Language and Nonverbal Communication.
https://www.helpguide.org/relationships/communication/nonverbal-communication - Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair, et al.; (2022); Perceived Effectiveness of Flirtation Tactics: The Effects of sex, Mating Context and Individual Differences in US and Norwegian Samples.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10355297/
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