Image: Midjourney/ MomJunction Design Team
Most relationships start with friendship and then blossom into a relationship, and it is essential to understand the signs a friend likes you romantically. While these signs can be subtle or obvious, you must fully understand those signals to reciprocate accordingly.
A close friend, in most cases, turns out to be a partner for life, and sometimes the failure to understand these signs can lead to a relationship ending prematurely. In addition, the friend might start acting strangely or behave peculiarly, so it’s imperative to recognize the signs of your friend trying to get into a romantic relationship. This post helps you identify these signs and act appropriately.
21 Signs A Friend Likes You Romantically
How to tell if someone likes you romantically? Here are the signs that a friend might be harboring romantic feelings for you.
1. They are always there for you
If your friend likes you romantically, they will be making time for you. Whenever you are alone or need someone to talk to, they will be available. They check on you constantly when you are upset, they love being around you, and are always emotionally available.
Going out of their way to help you in making plans for a party for your family or completing assignments or other tasks for you are tell-tale signs you are more than a friend to them.
Natesky, a blogger, contemplates the challenges of distinguishing between romantic interest and friendship. She highlights the presence of subtle cues that might provide insights into someone’s feelings, “I remember when I had a crush on that boy in my class. He would always find excuses to talk to me, even if it was just to ask me about my homework. It made me feel special and appreciated. I, however, thought he was just being nice so I would not make a bigger fool of myself trying to attract his attention.
“I was so caught up in trying to figure out whether he liked me back that I completely missed all the signs that he actually liked me. It was years later that he admitted he liked me back at the time, but by then, we had both moved on (i).”
2. They flirt with you
Image: IStock
One clear sign that your friend likes you is when they suddenly start flirting with you and see you differently. They hate being called your friend and drop hints about how they want to be more than a friend to you.
Look out for flirtatious gestures, such as coming close to you, telling you how attractive you are, smiling or blushing at you, teasing you playfully, and dropping clues by subtly letting it slip that they have feelings for you.
3. They try to have intimate moments with you
Your friend would find ways to be alone with you, hold your hands, or make physical contact through hugs or by touching your hair without forcing themselves on you. They would find reasons to come close to you. If they do these often, it could signal that they like you romantically.
4. They share their life’s moments and special memories with you
If your friend has been sharing a lot more about their life’s important events, family, and personal thoughts, they may be into you.
It could be their way of showing your growing importance in their life and letting you know that you are worthy of knowing more about them and their secrets.
5. They show interest in your love life
Your date or crush would become your friend’s concern if they secretly like you. They would be interested in knowing about your love life and try to bring this subject up in conversations.
They may show dislike for the person you are dating and tell you that you deserve someone better. If they constantly nudge you about the person you like or shoot questions to know more about your crush, they probably have a crush on you.
6. They give you the special attention that is noticeable to others
Image: IStock
Your friends and family would notice a change in your friend’s behavior. Their constant attention to you and care for you become noticeable for everyone around. They would be around you constantly, know about your choices and preferences, and notice small details about you. If your friends notice such gestures of one of your friends, it could signify that they are falling for you.
7. They show interest in knowing more about you and your family
When a friend is attracted to you, they will try to learn all about you by asking personal questions. Things that are important to you—your family connections and meaningful relationships—will matter to them too. They may make plans with your parents or a family member you are close with to bond with them. Their effort to know the people you love and make connections with them is a sign that they like you.
8. They surprise you and make you feel special
Someone who likes you romantically would try to make you feel loved and cared for. If your friend has been acting romantic, getting your favorite food delivered at your office, bringing you gifts, or making dinner just for you, you may want to find out more about their feelings for you.
A romantic surprise is a sign that your friend secretly likes you and is going all the way out to make you feel happy and loved.
9. They listen to you
Your friend who likes you romantically would make every effort to be there for you when you need them.
They will always lend an ear to you and show interest in knowing more about the things bothering you. Although friends too offer a listening ear to the people they love, someone who likes you would talk to you more often and be there every time you want to talk your heart out.
10. They get possessive about you
A friend who likes you may want you all to themselves. They may not like you talking to other friends, especially to someone who they know likes you too. Their jealousy is evident, and they constantly vie for your attention. Being possessive about you and feeling jealous of others who come close to you are classic signs that they are into you.
11. They are protective towards you
Image: Shutterstock
All close friends are protective, but the one who likes you will not like anyone mistreating you and will always stand in the way of people who try to hurt you. They will be concerned about you and the choices you make in your life. They wish the best for you and do not want you to face any troubles by being protective.
12. They try to impress you
Cracking jokes
to hear your laughter, saying things that you like, and paying compliments are a few things a friend who likes you romantically would do to impress you. They would even dress up well and be concerned about their looks when they meet you. They will strive to be at their absolute best to impress and charm you.
13. They remember the little things
From remembering the dress you wore a few weekends ago to knowing about your cute obsessions and habits, a friend who likes you would remember it all. They remind you of the things you said a long time ago and remember every detail of your little choices. Being affectionate towards you in an unusual way may be a sign that your friend has a soft corner for you.
14. They get nervous around you
A person’s body language gives away much more than one could imagine, and a friend who secretly likes you is no exception. They will get nervous in your presence, and you will notice their heart racing when you are in their proximity.
They are usually jittery, sweaty, and awkward around you. Do they often become loud and funny in your presence and blush every time you see them? If yes, this friend may have feelings for you. Their skittish behavior is a sign that they like you.
Do remember15. They drop subtle hints
A sudden change in your friend’s behavior could be their way of saying that they like you. They drop clues about how they get disappointed when you only see them as a friend or how they wished they could spend their entire time with you. They would let it slip in the conversations that they like you and give you other subtle hints.
16. They stare at you
Image: IStock
If your friend has been making too many serious eye contacts to the extent that they make you nervous, it is their liking for you that makes them behave that way. They would constantly stare at you from a distance or make frequent eye contact even when surrounded by many people. Their urge to keep looking at you is a sign that they like you.
17. They support you
Most friends would support your aspirations and goals in life. However, for a friend who likes you romantically, your dreams motivate them to boost your confidence. They would not only congratulate you on your success but also go all out and throw a party to celebrate it. They would also help you fight challenges that come your way and motivate you to accomplish what you set out for by being supportive.
18. They avoid their phone around you
A friend who likes you romantically would not like any distractions, including their phone, when they are with you. They would mute their calls and notifications just to be with you and listen to you. Their undivided attention towards you and open body language around you is their way of showing that they like you.
19. They send you text messages throughout the day
Texting or calling you many times throughout the day can be a sure hint. A friend who likes you romantically will ensure that they remind you how much they miss you when they are not around you. They constantly keep sending texts throughout the day, especially in the morning and at night. They also like all your posts on social media and give you all the attention they can while away.
20. They try to make you jealous
Image: IStock
If a friend likes you much, they may try to draw your attention towards them by playing hard to get. To know whether you like them back, they would talk about an individual who likes them. They would see if you get jealous or react to the fact that they might be romantically unavailable.
21. They befriend your best friend
A friend who likes you would want your friends to like them too. They would want your friends to put in a good word for them, and hence, would try to bond with your best friends. Once they are close to them, they may coax your friends to help them get closer to you.
What To Do If You Suspect A Friend Likes You
If a close friend starts showing subtle signs of liking you more than a friend, here’s what you can do.
- Learn how you feel: Think about your feelings, and choose whether to reciprocate or stay friends
- Observe their body language: Pay close attention to any changes in how they behave around you
- Communicate openly: Have a clear conversation to comprehend the situation
- Respect boundaries: Ensure both of you feel comfortable and set clear boundaries
- Be kind and considerate: Avoid grudges or blaming, and handle the situation gently
- Limit your interactions: Spend less time with them and avoid connecting on social media
- Give it time: Let things settle naturally before making big decisions
- Do not complicate things: Be clear about your feelings, and don’t send mixed signals that could lead to misunderstandings
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I suddenly develop romantic feelings for a friend?
It’s common to experience romantic feelings toward friends. Love develops over time, and long-lasting, solid friendships can allow closeness to flourish. Many people prefer to build friendships with potential partners first because they believe great friendships are the cornerstone of a successful romantic relationship. This notion might contribute to a propensity to consider friends as potential romantic partners.
2. What to do if I start catching feelings for a friend?
If you’ve started harboring feelings beyond friendship for a friend, check in with yourself to ensure they are genuinely rooted in sincerity. Once you’ve established that your romantic feelings are honest and truthful, don’t allow yourself to feel guilty for them. Express your feelings to your friend and give them time to think about it. If you’re worried that revealing your feelings will ruin your friendship, be open. Tell your friend that you’re worried about losing them. No matter the situation, be clear about the relationship path you wish to take.
3. How can I differentiate platonic and romantic gestures from a friend?
Platonic gestures do not emphasize physical intimacy. Instead, they can tell you that the other person likes you, but they will not be sexual. In contrast, romantic gestures can emphasize physical intimacy. A person who wants to be romantically involved with you will try to maintain physical and emotional proximity. They will ask questions, smile more often, and always maintain extended eye contact to express their feelings.
4. Do guys tell their friends if they like someone?
A guy may or may not tell their friends if they like someone. Some guys want to keep their personal life private. So they don’t share much about their likes or dislikes with others. However, others can tell their friends if they like a girl by describing her qualities. They may even share every detail about her, as that’s how they relive the moments spent with the girl they like.
Most romantic relationships start with friendship. However, to understand that your friendship has grown deeper and has created a place for romance, you should pay close attention to even the tiniest details that your friend may be displaying to express their feelings. So, if you want to understand the signs that a friend likes you romantically, think of moments when they have been with you or tried to create special memories with you. If your friend flirts with you, gives you special attention, or is possessive about you, it may indicate that your friendship is growing romantic. If you’re drawn to your friend in the same manner, pay attention to these signs and allow your relationship to blossom.
Infographic: Accepting Rejection And Being Friends
Dealing with a friend’s rejection can be extremely difficult. However, you need to accept their feelings for you and move on. Our infographic shares practical tips to overcome the emotional turmoil unreciprocated love could bring. Additionally, it gives you an insight into effective ways to stay friends with them and maintain a healthy friendship. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- If your friend is sharing everything and flirting with you, they could have a romantic interest in you.
- The obvious special attention and getting closer could be more hints to catch.
- Keep observing more such signs before taking any major step forward in the relationship.
Illustration: Clear Signs A Friend Likes You Romantically
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Do you think your friend likes you more than a friend? Find out the 13 signs to know if your friend likes you romantically in this video!
Personal Experience: Source
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. 7 affirming signs that someone really likes you.https://medium.com/hello-love/7-affirming-signs-that-someone-really-likes-you-add8c215ac5
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.
Read full bio of Jessica Jefferson
Read full bio of Shikha Thakur
Read full bio of Akshay Nair
Read full bio of N Pravenchandra Singh
