Don’t you just hate it when your crush says, “I never knew you felt that way!” We hate those words because in the back of our mind we’re always thinking, “Yes, you did!”
We were so sure. Or at least, we hoped. But sometimes it’s good practice to take a step back, use hindsight, and admit maybe what you thought was so clear at the time was completely lost on someone else. They didn’t know. And you can’t blame them for not knowing.
Sometimes people really don’t know and it’s surprising for us to learn that. But hey, it happens. That’s why I think it’s important to share and discuss the SIGNS that show 100 percent that the guy knows you like him, as opposed to just a look or a smile – which can be misleading.
If you notice any of these signs, then rest assured, he knows how you feel, even if you haven’t confessed it yet.
Does he know I like him? If his behavior toward you changed after you started showing interest, he probably does. Signs a guy knows you like him include opening up to you, acting nervous, flirting more, pulling back a little, catching your eye, or wanting to talk alone. Any one of these can be a fluke. Two or three together usually mean he’s picked up on it.
He knows you like him. But does he like you back?
Take the quick quiz and see what his signals really add up to.
1. He opens up to you about something personal.
Anytime a guy actually shares something personal is a major breakthrough. Guys usually have a sort of “rolodex” of stories, observations, and old memories that they share with everyone. They’re usually not a big deal, or maybe exaggerated “fables” to make him look good in front of others.
But you can tell the difference when he actually shares something deeply personal with you. You know right away he is vulnerable and wondering whether to tell you. But he’s so drawn to you he wants to confess, he wants to share, and wants you to be his confidante. That’s a great step forward in the relationship and indicates he might be into you as well.
2. He’s nervous around you.
Whether he reciprocates or not, knowing that you like him will change the way he deals with you. He might be a little nervous now that he knows you are looking at him differently. Some men get nervous when they like a woman, while others are just nervous at the idea of a woman chasing them. Some guys may even like you but are afraid of rejection and hide their feelings.
Rest assured though, if he seems uncomfortable lately when he’s around you then he KNOWS what you’re thinking and is trying to figure out how to handle it, how he feels about you, and what he should say.
3. He pulls back and stops being so friendly.
If he pulls back and becomes distant – after everything has been fine the last few months – then there’s a very good chance he knows how you feel. Usually when he backs away that’s a bad sign – either that he doesn’t reciprocate your feelings, or is just not interested in dating someone who is a friend.
There is also a chance that he’s just nervous or is backing away because of his own issues. But just to be safe, the best response when a man starts stepping back is to chill. Just give him space and don’t confront him on the issue.
Remember that men like to take the lead in romance. That’s why backing away just a little bit is a good idea. You give control back to him, and the freedom to come talk to you whenever he’s ready.
4. He tries to flirt…or he tries to initiate conversation more.
Naturally, if he takes the initiative and starts to chat more often, or talk to you on the phone or in person, he is responding to the news that there’s attraction on your end. He either already feels the same way, or he’s testing the chemistry between the two of you.
If this happens, just keep calm and give him back that same flirty energy. Don’t assume it means you’re a couple. And don’t assume it’s insincere. Be confidence, be yourself, and experiment with conversation. Don’t be afraid of sexual tension. Just enjoy it and let him chase you!
5. You catch him looking at you.
This is actually a pretty good indication that he knows. If you catch him staring at you from a distance, this means he is thinking about you, analyzing you, and trying to visualize you as serious dating material. He might not be sure how he feels yet. But the fact that he’s considering you shows that he understands the relationship has shifted. Be calm and once again, give him space, until he decides he wants to talk.
6. He wants a chance to talk to you in person and alone.
And that brings us to the last sign – when he insists that you talk “alone.” He doesn’t want a group setting. He wants to be alone, or at least a private phone call or online chat. He wants to talk about the situation. That’s a sure-fire sign that he knows.
How do you know if a guy likes you back? After all, the majority of men you meet will be friendly. And even the ones that are not interested in you, might still be talkative or flirt, just because it’s fun to do. Even worse, there’s a whole category of guys out there who will be nice to you, flirt, and be friendly, just so he can turn you into an easy sex buddy.
But none of that is what you really want. That is, a real relationship where the guy likes you, is fascinated by you, and really wants to connect with you on an emotional level. And hey, even when you find a guy that really likes you, it’s still another race to the finish line, whether he wants commitment and marriage.
The question now is since he knows you like him by but has not confronted you about it, what are you supposed to do?
The real question is, What can you do to escalate sexual tension, build attraction, and actually progress in the relationship? Because attraction doesn’t just spontaneously turn into a relationship. You have to have a plan, you both have to be working towards a common goal.
If he senses you like him, but don’t follow through on any of this attraction, he may conclude you’re just not his type.
Attraction and even liking somebody is easy. The challenging part is communicating how you feel in a way that attracts, rather than repels. We will discuss more on how to proactively make a romance happen in a future article. To figure out if he likes you without doing it in person, check out our new article on how to ask a guy if he likes me over text.
I Like Him and He Knows It. Now What?
First, breathe. Him knowing can actually help. A slow-moving guy often needs that push.
Next, watch what he does with it. If he leans in, talks to you more and makes plans, he likes you too. Match his energy and let him keep leading. If he gets a little awkward but stays friendly, he may still be figuring out how he feels. Give him a week or two of normal, relaxed contact.
If he pulls way back, don’t chase him for an answer. Stay kind and keep your distance. A man who’s interested will find his way back to you.
What you shouldn’t do is pretend you don’t like him or suddenly go cold to save face. That confuses him and makes it harder for him to act. You can be open about liking him and still have a full life that doesn’t revolve around his reply.
And if the waiting is eating you up, ask him in a light way. Something like “So, I’m guessing you’ve figured out I like you. No pressure, I just wanted to be honest.” Then let him answer.
Quick Answers
How do I know if he knows I like him? He acts differently around you. He’s more nervous, more flirty, more distant, or wants time alone with you.
Should I tell him I like him if he already knows? You can, if you keep it light. Saying it calmly takes the guessing out of it for both of you.
Why is he ignoring me now that he knows I like him? He may not feel the same and doesn’t know how to say it, or he’s nervous and needs time. Give him space and see if he comes back.
So he knows. Now what?
My free video shows you how to turn that spark into a man who chases you and wants to keep you.
