Is he my Romeo or just my BFF? Could we date each other or are we just good friends? Does he have butterflies around me or is it just gas? There are small differences between sharing a friendly chat and sharing the potential for romance. Some things are more obvious than others, so today we’re talking about how to know if he likes you more than a friend. Here are 3 signs to watch out for if you think he may like you. If you can check all three, we have a winner!
1. He makes an effort to be involved in your hobbies or interests.
Our interests are what sets us apart from everyone else. For example, I love to go jogging, hike, and read, but my coworker John is a movie buff, a huge foodie, and into fishing. You talk to me about fishing and our conversation will probably only last two minutes, but I can talk about the best hiking spots I’ve been to for an hour. Connecting with someone else’s hobbies is vital when you want to get to know them on a deeper, romantic level. Not only do hobbies tell you about how that person spends their free time, but they could even provide insight as to deeper beliefs and life goals. Think of interests like the fabric that weaves us together. If I think that fishing is morally wrong, I only eat vegetables and beans, and I hate watching movies, John and I have maybe a 2% chance of ever connecting romantically, at best. On the flip side, a guy who likes me is going to have to tolerate and show some involvement in jogging, hiking, or reading. He doesn’t have to tick off all my interests, but he’ll have to support that they’re important to me and choose at least one to participate in. After all, if you don’t like any of the same things, how will you bond and hang out once the initial butterfly dates have passed? You simply won’t.
Check out: How do you know if a guy likes you
2. He emphasizes the things you have in common.
Physical attraction is only the beginning, but connecting with someone for their personality is where true romance is formed. Let’s stick with my example of loving to jog, hike, and read. If one of my friends likes me and also likes to read, he’s going to use that as the glue that gets us closer together. By emphasizing what you two have in common, this guy is doing a few things. First, he’s proving common ground which means you have shared values. You’ll never date someone who goes against your values – and, if you do, it’s bound to end badly – so this is a good start. Second, he’ll be setting himself apart from all of the other guys who don’t have that much in common with you; And, trust me, there’s a lot. Finally, he’s going to have a reason to ask you to hang out more intimately. Oh, you love to read? Me too, why don’t we go to this book fair together? Ah, you like fishing? I haven’t been in ages and I’m dying to try it again. Could you take me to one of your favorite spots one of these days? As you can see, having things in common instantly builds a pathway to grow your friendship into something stronger.
3. He’s protective of you, especially around other guys.
Having a good pal around who watches your back is pretty cool. Your friends should defend and protect you, but only to a certain degree. If someone starts insulting you, any normal friend should jump to your defense. If someone asks for your phone number, though, only big brothers and friends who like you may jump in. A guy friend with feelings for you is going to take protecting you to another level. He has your best interest at heart, plus he has some of the defensive boyfriend vibes that make their presence known. Here’s a good example. If my friends and I are out at a bar and a random guy starts yelling out that I’m hot, my guy friends are probably just going to laugh. If one of my friends liked me, though, they would take it as an act of disrespect since this rando at the bar doesn’t know me. They may say something, give him a dirty look, or place themselves between the rando and me. See the difference? Of course, your friend should take hints from you. If you’re fine with the situation but he gets overly upset, he may have a bit of a controlling temperament which could be a problem. This is a good time to learn more about how he’d be as a boyfriend.
Check out: How to know if a guy likes you
Conclusion:
If your friend just shares your interests, they could simply be a curious person who likes to learn. If they emphasize things you have in common but show no other sign we mentioned, they’re just the basic definition of a friend – AKA someone you can relate to. Also, if your friend has got your back, they could be like that with all their female friends. The true insight comes when you can combine these three attributes into one person and confirm that your friend does, indeed, like you. If you’ve experienced a situation like any of the ones I mentioned today, I’d love to hear more about it in the comments!