So you’ve been hanging out with this guy for a while and unsure if he’s into you? Sometimes it’s evident that he likes you, while other times, he’s acting cool. Well, you’re not alone.
Many guys hide their feelings and play it cool to appear more attractive. But what if you can’t help noticing specific signs that indicate his interest in you? Despite his best efforts, there are some telltale signs that he likes you, even though he’s hiding it under wraps.
In this article, we’ll cover 17 signs that he likes you but is playing it cool. So let’s dive into the world of decoding mixed signals!
1. His Body Language
Body language is one of the easiest ways to tell if someone is interested in you. Of course, that guy can try to hide his feelings and intentions but trust me; his body language will eventually betray him.
He’ll likely make more eye contact during conversations if he likes you. Moreover, you’ll always find him trying to get closer to you. Other body language signs include:
- Mirroring your actions
- Leaning toward you
- Uncontrollable smiles and laughter whenever you’re around
- Dilated pupils
- Subtle touches
- Lips slightly apart whenever he looks at you
There are more body language signs that can interpret whether he likes you or not. So next time you’re around this guy, try to notice how his body language changes when he sees you.
2. He’s Always Around
If a guy seems to be everywhere you go, it’s hardly a coincidence. It’s likely because he’s looking for excuses to spend more time with you without making it too obvious.
Some guys are too nervous to ask a girl out, so they opt for this less obvious approach. For example, he might be rearranging his schedule to bump into you.
That way, he can gauge your interests, engage in more conversations, and learn more about you.
If he’s not a co-worker or a classmate but you’re constantly running into him, there’s a huge chance he likes you but is playing it cool.
3. The Teasing Game
It’s hard to tell how a shy guy feels toward you. That’s because he’s usually too nervous or uncomfortable to flirt with you to avoid awkward reactions.
In such cases, guys often try to tease you, make more jokes, and poke fun at you. If he’s doing this, it might be his way to engage with you and test the waters to see how you react.
The consistent teasing might also be an attempt to express affection without coming in too obvious.
4. He Remembers the Little Details
Is your crush mentioning specific details about you or your relationship? For example, does he remember how you like your coffee or what’s your favorite movie? It may seem insignificant, but memorizing such details shows he’s paying attention to you.
When someone is playing it cool, he’ll try not to be too obvious about his feelings. However, if he recalls previous conversations, jokes, and incidents, that means he’s been thinking about you when you’re not around.
As such, he might have feelings for you but is trying to play it cool.
Remembering small details can also be a way to show you he’s trying to get to know you better, reflecting his affection for you.
5. “Accidental” Touches
If your crush is always brushing against you or accidentally touching your shoulder or arms, he might be interested in you. Physical touch is one of the most common love languages, and you know that actions speak louder than words, right?
Whether he lightly touches your shoulders or holds your hand, if a guy likes you, he’ll always look for an excuse to touch you.
He might also blush if he accidentally touches you to hide his attraction. So, be mindful of such subtle physical contact, as it’s not always accidental.
6. He’s Being Protective
When men are in love, they’re usually extremely protective of their women. If he likes you, his protective actions will often expose his feelings even if he tries to hide them.
For instance, he might walk you to your car or accompany you to new places to ensure no one bothers you.
This protective instinct can indicate that he values your safety and well-being, reflecting his romantic feelings. If you feel like your crush is always ready to step in when you need him, he’s most likely interested in you.
7. He Shows Jealousy
Jealousy is a complex emotion that has good and bad aspects. If your crush shows signs of jealousy, it’s a clear sign he likes you.
For instance, you’ll notice his attitude changes whenever you speak about other men. Moreover, he’ll always try to find flaws in other guys to prove that he’s the guy you should look for.
You might also notice that your crush seems to get green-eyed when he sees you with other guys. If you mention a male friend or talk about a date you went on, he’ll probably try to change the subject.
If you’re just friends, he’s likely aware he isn’t entitled to show jealousy. However, it’s usually hard for men to hide their jealousy.
8. He’s Always There to Help
Is your crush going out of his way for you? Is he always willing to help you out, even if it’s inconvenient for him? He might offer to drive you home, complete a chore for you, or pick up something you need.
This selflessness shows that he wants to go the extra mile to make your life easier and put a smile on your face. He’s trying to prove you can count on him.
What if he’s just being friendly? He might be. But if he’s not that helpful with his other friends, there’s a high chance he has a big crush on you but is trying not to be too obvious.
9. Consistent Compliments
If a guy likes you, he won’t resist complimenting your look, character, or talent. He might tell you that you look stunning in a particular outfit or that your last project was impeccable.
No matter how hard he tries to hide his feelings, he’ll eventually slip out a few compliments that indicate his interest in you.
It’s more evident if he secretly compliments you instead of doing it publicly. He doesn’t want to expose his feelings in front of others.
10. He Does His Best to Make You Laugh
It’s no secret that humor is an attractive trait, and many guys opt for jokes and doing silly things to impress their crushes.
So if your crush is always cracking jokes or making funny comments when you’re around, he’s probably trying to prove he’s a fun, lighthearted guy who can make you laugh.
What’s more, you might notice his personality slightly changes when you’re around. For example, he could be an introvert but acts extremely sociable with you.
He’ll also try to show off in front of you by challenging his friends when you’re around.
11. He’s Nervous When You’re Around
If he’s blushing, shaking, or sweating when you’re next to him, it could mean he has feelings for you but is trying to hide them. He might appear anxious, stumble over his words, or act awkward in your presence.
That’s because he’s invested in your opinion of him and doesn’t want to do or say anything that might put you off. He’ll try to act cool, and relaxed, but if you pay close attention to signs of nervousness, you’ll see that he’s really on edge.
12. Your Opinion Matters
When he carefully listens to what you’re saying and genuinely values your opinions and advice, it’s a clear sign he’s interested in you.
For example, he might ask for your opinion on a project he’s been working on or ask you to share your thoughts on complicated matters. That way, he can engage in thoughtful conversations with you.
This indicates that he feels comfortable talking with you and believes your opinion is important.
For instance, he asks for your help choosing his outfits or accessories. In other cases, he might seek your input regarding important decisions in his career or private life.
13. He Opens Up To You
If he opens up to you about his thoughts, fears, feelings, or experiences, he wants to get closer and trusts you enough to be vulnerable around you. He feels a connection between you both and wants to prove he’s not just a shallow guy.
For example, he might discuss his past relationships, work, or future goals. If that’s the case, he’s trying to let you in and build a strong bond with you because he likes you.
It’s still possible he’s doing so because he trusts you as a friend, but if he’s not doing the same with others, chances are he has a crush on you.
14. He Mirrors Your Body Language
People who consciously or unconsciously mimic your gestures, posture, or facial expressions likely have feelings for you.
If your crush mirrors your body language, it’s because he wants to build rapport by creating a sense of harmony between you and him.
For instance, he might take a sip from his drink when you do so. He could also copy your gestures, phrases, or slang.
Be mindful that it takes time for someone to be able to do this. If someone copies your actions on your first date, he’s faking it.
15. He’s Curious About Your Life
Even if he plays it cool and doesn’t clearly ask you out, you’ll know he likes you if he keeps asking many questions about your life. For example, he might want to know about your hobbies, family, relationships, work, and interests.
While questions about these matters may look normal, it’s usually a sign that he cares.
16. Hot and Cold Behavior
We have all been through that phase when someone we like is talkative, attentive, and energetic, and then suddenly, he’s completely aloof. That hot and cold behavior can be a telltale sign that someone is into you but is trying to play it cool.
Hot and cold behavior can be emotionally draining and confusing for both sides. If your crush’s behavior is inconsistent, I recommend communicating with him about how his actions affect you.
Ask him to clarify his intentions to avoid feeling unhappy or anxious in the relationship.
17. He Fixes His Hair and Outfit
If he’s always fixing his hair and outfit when you’re around, it could indicate that he’s interested in you and wants to look his best. That’s because people often want to look their best to make a good impression on whoever they like.
Moreover, he might be fixing his clothes and hair to keep himself busy when you’re near him. That’s usually a sign of nervousness. He’s trying to focus on something else rather than awkwardly staring at you.
Think about it the other way around, don’t you sometimes feel like you don’t look good enough when someone you like is around? As a result, you feel the urge to fix your makeup, hair, or clothes to look impressive.
Men are the same. No matter how much they try to hide it, it’s true that guys want to look more attractive when around their crushes.
Final Words
Identifying the hidden signs that he likes you but is playing it cool can be both challenging and exciting. Sometimes it’s hard to understand what a guy really wants, especially if he’s shy or you don’t know him that well.
However, if you pay attention to the signs we mentioned, you can get a better insight into your crush’s feelings and intentions. That way, you can establish a healthier and more genuine connection.