“Does He Like Me?” Understanding Body Language And Signs Of Attraction

Updated November 23, 2024by Regain Editorial Team

It can be hard to tell whether a guy you’re attracted to shares your feelings. Some men can be hard to read, while others might be wary of putting themselves out there. Maybe the guy you’re attracted to isn’t sure how to signal his attraction. Or, possibly, you aren’t aware of the signs he is sending. If you’d like help determining whether he’s into you, there are several common—and some not-so-common—indicators that hint at a guy’s interest. In this article, we’re taking you through a list of 10 signs that a guy likes you. 

1. He makes eye contact

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Did you know that eye contact and attraction are linked? Eye contact can tell you a lot about a person’s interest. If a guy is into you, he might try to meet your gaze frequently or for extended periods of time. Eye contact has been connected to the brain’s production of oxytocin, a chemical known as the “love hormone”. In one study, researchers found that men who were given oxytocin made eye contact longer and more frequently when presented with human faces. This suggests that a man who feels close to you may try to lock eyes with you when he gets the chance. 

2. He gets jealous

If a guy likes you, he will probably want to attract your attention often. As a result, he may get jealous if he sees you interacting with others, particularly people you’re affectionate toward. Does the guy you like try to insert himself into the conversation when you’re talking to someone else? Does he ask you about your feelings toward certain people? These behaviors can be strong signs of jealousy, which in turn may give away his interest in you. 

3. He asks about your life

Does the guy you’re interested in ask a lot of questions about you? Often, when a guy likes someone, he will work to get to know them better and take an interest in their life. He might also be trying to determine how compatible the two of you are. Of course, friends can want to learn more about your life, too. But if he frequently asks you about your day, the last movie you saw, or what your opinion is on a certain topic, he may want to be more than friends.

4. He tries to impress you

If you find that a man slips his accomplishments into conversations or wants you to see him perform well in various situations, this can indicate that he’s attracted to you. A guys who’s interested in you likely wants to make a good impression and ensure you develop a positive opinion of him. To do that, he may talk himself up or show you how talented he is. 

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For example, a guy who’s into you might make a point to mention his successes at work frequently. Or he might try to show you any talents he has, like playing the guitar or cooking. The notion that a man will try to impress you when he likes you is backed by science; research has found, for example, that men tend to engage in riskier activities when they’re in the presence of someone they find attractive. 

5. He checks your reactions

If a guy is into you, he's may want to see how you respond to what he's doing and saying. For example, if you're in a group conversation and he makes a joke, he may look in your direction to see if you're laughing. This suggests he wants to gauge your reaction over anybody else’s.

6. He wants to know if you’re single

A guy who’s interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with you will likely want to know whether you already have a significant other. Some guys are obvious when trying to find this out, while others try to do so in a more roundabout way.

You might find out that he’s asked one of your mutual friends about your dating status. Or he might ask you questions that would give that information away. For example, he might ask you your plans for the weekend or try to mention his status to get you to tell him yours. Of course, he may simply ask you whether you’re single, which is a strong indicator. 

7. He remembers the little things

Research shows that our memory tends to improve based on interest. So, not only will a guy who’s interested in you typically ask you a lot of questions, he may also remember seemingly insignificant details about your life. He might ask you about an event you mentioned weeks ago, or he may surprise you with your favorite type of candy bar after hearing you talk about it once. 

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8. He tries to make you laugh

A lot of guys use humor to win over a romantic interest. If he is teasing you in a flirty way, but not acting that way with other people around, this can be a strong sign that he's interested in you. Given the fact that many, many guys try hard to make a witty impression. 

9. His friends are acting differently

If you're having a hard time reading his actions, you may be able to learn whether he's interested from those who are closest to him. If he is attracted to you, there's a good chance that he's mentioned it to his friends, so watching how they behave can give you an idea of what he's thinking as well.

For example, if his friends find a way to get the two of you talking and give you space to yourselves, it's a good sign that he's mentioned to them that he's interested in you. You may also notice his friends asking you questions to gauge your attraction to him. 

10. He initiates physical touch

A playful touch on the shoulder or hand is a common indicator of attraction. Breaking the touch barrier can be a nice way of signaling one’s interest in a more romantic type of relationship. Research shows that touch plays an important role in attempts at bonding and emotional connection. Initiating physical touch can both indicate his feelings and bring you a bit closer. 

It’s important to note that this contact should always be appropriate. Touching that feels inappropriate—or any other types of unwanted sexual advances—are not okay. Rather than being signs of respectful feelings of attraction, these can be signs of disrespect in a man. 

If, however, the two of you have been flirting, and he is lightly touching you on the arm as you talk or gently touching your hand as you're walking, these can be signs that he's interested in you in a healthy, respectful way. 

How online therapy can help

For those who are in a relationship, online therapy is a research-backed method of helping partners communicate their feelings and connect more deeply. For example, in a study on the efficacy of online therapy for relationship functioning, participants reported experiencing significantly improved relationship quality, satisfaction, and confidence. The study also notes that treatment helped improve individual mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety.  

If you’re already in a relationship and want to learn more about dating and attraction, consider working with a licensed therapist through an online therapy platform like Regain. With online therapy, you and your partner can learn more about how you both feel by chatting with a licensed therapist remotely, through video call, voice call, or in-app messaging. You’ll also have the option of contacting your therapist outside of sessions; if you want to clarify a point made during therapy or have questions about communicating your attraction to your partner, you can send them a message, and they’ll respond when they’re able. A mental health professional can help you better understand how your partner feels while also addressing your individual challenges. Read below for reviews of Regain therapists from those who have sought help in the past. 

Therapist reviews

“I don’t know what I would have done without Harry. I was in a super low place and I was not sure what my problems were or how to solve them, but he was able to help me get to the bottom of my problems and work through them. Today I am happy and feeling like myself again. He was so easy to talk to and worked with me whenever I needed him. Even on vacation he took time to call me and talk through whatever I was going through. I would highly recommend him.”

"My experience with Priscilla has been immensely helpful in better understanding myself and providing me with the tools to see my life and relationships with more clarity and compassion."

Takeaway

Because guys are sometimes shy, scared of rejection, or unsure how to communicate their feelings, determining whether a man is into you can be tricky at times. But with the above signs, you can better gauge a guy’s interest in you. If you’re already in a relationship and would like to learn more about your partner’s feelings about you, consider getting matched with a qualified mental health professional online. Working with a therapist can be an effective way of ensuring you and your partner maintain that attraction that initially brought you together. 

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