Determining if a guy is interested in dating you can be tricky. Unlike in the movies, real life romantic interests are not always obvious. However, there are some signs you can look for to gauge if a man wants to pursue a relationship with you.
He makes an effort to spend time with you
One of the most basic signs a man is interested in dating you is if he makes an effort to spend time with you. This could mean he initiates one-on-one hangouts, invites you to group activities, or makes regular phone calls and texts to keep in contact. If a man wants to date you, he will make it a priority to incorporate you into his life and schedule. In contrast, a man who is less interested will be inconsistent about communication and plans.
He remembers the details
When a man is interested in pursuing more with you, he will pay close attention to what you say and make a genuine effort to remember the little details. For example, he may recall your birthday, a test you mentioned having, or foods you like and dislike. This shows he is actively listening when you speak and sees you as someone important enough to remember specifics about.
He compliments you
Compliments are another sign of interest and potential attraction. A man who frequently compliments your appearance, talents, personality or other traits likely has a romantic interest. The compliments may range from subtle (“That’s a nice jacket”) to more overt (“You look beautiful today”). Pay attention to how often he compliments you and the nature of the compliments to help decipher his intentions.
His body language changes around you
Body language cues can also indicate if a man is interested in dating you. When you are together, look for things like him turning his body to face you, leaning in closer to you, making prolonged eye contact, or orienting his feet in your direction. A man who is interested will instinctively move his body in ways that show his attention and engagement are focused on you.
He finds excuses to touch you
Some men will find subtle ways to initiate physical contact if they are interested in dating you. This could include things like playfully nudging you, brushing imaginary lint off your shirt, putting a hand on your shoulder when laughing, or hovering his hands over yours. While every touchy person is different, a man who suddenly seems to always find reasons to touch you may be testing the waters for romance.
His friends know about you
If a man mentions you to his friends or brings you around his friend group, it is a good indication he is thinking seriously about you. Meeting his friends is a major milestone and he likely wants to see how you get along with them while also showing you off. Additionally, his friends may reveal his feelings by asking questions about you or making comments that indicate he talks about you when you aren’t around.
He gets jealous
Even the most mild-mannered man may feel a pang of jealousy if he is really interested in dating you. Look for subtle signs he is jealous, like no longer smiling when your male friend enters the room or making passive-aggressive comments about how much time you and your study buddy spend together. His jealousy may also manifest through Nagging when you don’t text him back immediately or interrogating you about who else you are dating. A man who considers you a romantic prospect will not like the idea of you with someone else.
He uses flirtatious banter
Playful flirting is frequently used by men interested in dating to test the waters with you. Things like teasing nicknames, silly inside jokes, subtle innuendos, and reciprocated teasing are all forms of flirtatious banter to look for. If you notice his way of joking with you seems different than with his other female friends, it likely signifies he feels something more. However, be aware that some men are natural flirts with everyone, so other signs are needed too.
He gets personal
A man who is interested in you will often open up and share more personal details and secrets than a typical friend would. By being vulnerable and revealing intimate facts about his life, opinions, dreams and struggles, he is signaling he trusts you and sees a potential for a deeper connection. If he only keeps things surface-level, it likely means he just thinks of you as a casual acquaintance and nothing more.
He finds ways to be helpful
One way a man may attempt to demonstrate his worthiness as a mate is by being helpful. He may offer to run errands with you, fix things around your apartment, tutor you in a difficult class, or lend a hand with big projects at work. Look for his eagerness to assist you with random tasks or anything that gives him an excuse to be useful. This could very well be his attempt at making a good impression as boyfriend material.
He gets nervous around you
It is possible a man gets notably nervous or anxious when you are around if he has a crush on you. Things like fidgeting, sweating, stuttering, avoiding eye contact, blushing or acting awkward can all be physiological signs of attraction triggered by being close to someone we like. His nervous tics may be hard to conceal if you make his heart race.
He tries to impress you
Have you noticed him suddenly taking up exotic hobbies, namedropping famous people he knows, talking about his salary or home extensively, or sharing his extraordinary talents out of nowhere? If it feels like he is trying hard to impress you, this likely means he thinks highly enough of you that he wants you to think highly of him too. Think of this as an attempt to advertise himself as impressive enough to date.
His friends tease him about you
If a man’s friends know he is interested in you, they may try to playfully tease him about it when you are around. Look for friends elbowing him playfully when you talk to him or making inside jokes about his crush on you. Most single men confide in their closest buddies about who they are interested in, so his friends are likely to know if you are someone he wants to date.
He ignores other women when you are around
A clear sign a man only has eyes for you is if he visibly ignores other attractive women when you are present. Whereas he may usually gawk at or flirt with pretty ladies walking by, he will make an effort to avert his eyes and not ogle other women in your presence. His interest and attention will stay locked on you rather than straying if he hopes to date you exclusively.
His dating profile is inactive
If you met online or through a dating app, noticing his personal profile become inactive can be sign he desires a real relationship with you. Exclusively dating you means he is no longer shopping around for matches, so he may hide or pause his accounts. Keep in mind deactivating accounts can also simply mean he is focusing his energy elsewhere, so other reassuring signs are still important.
He talks about the future
A major sign a man sees you as a romantic partner is if he brings up future plans including you. This could include anything from mentioning an event months from now and saying you should go together, to sincerely talking about what your far-off future may look like as a couple. Discussing the future signals he hopes you stick around and imagines you together down the road.
He introduces you to his family
Meeting a man’s family is often a clear indication he envisions something long-term with you. Bringing you into the family not only represents his approval of you as worthy, but also that he sees you playing an important role in his life. Pay attention to how he acts around family too – your treatment can reveal if he considers you someone temporary or a real priority.
He gets you a gift “just because”
Thoughtful little gifts are a common way for men to demonstrate their feelings without having to say the words. Notice if he brings you things like flowers, chocolate or inside joke presents for no particular occasion except to make you smile. When a man gives you a gift for no reason other than wanting you to feel special, it typically means he has feelings beyond friendship.
He is always available for you
A man who drops everything the moment you need him or rearranges his schedule to always be available for you is likely very emotionally invested. Being consistently dependable, canceling on others for you last minute, or making spontaneous trips to see you are all signs you take priority over anything and anyone else in his life.
He respects your boundaries
Just as important as signs he likes you are signs he respects you. A man who respects you will not only be mindful of your boundaries, but also insist on going at a pace you are comfortable with. As much as he may want to get intimate, a respectful man will not pressure you or make assumptions. Taking it slow and keeping communication open is a great sign of a healthy relationship.
He is transparent about his feelings for you
The most surefire sign a man wants to date you is if he directly tells you he likes you romantically. This transparency takes the guessing game out of figuring out his intentions. A man who openly voices his feelings and asks you clarifying questions about where you stand is demonstrating emotional maturity and genuine intentions. Even if you need time to process your own feelings, his honesty lays a solid foundation.
Conclusion
Determining if a man wants to date you seriously relies on noticing patterns and subtleties over time. While no single sign can definitively prove his intentions, looking for consistent speech and behavior that show his interest, care and respect for you is your best bet. Ultimately, the right man at the right time will not be afraid to make his romantic intentions known so you both know where you stand.