How to Tell if Someone Likes You: 9 signs
Wondering how to tell if someone likes you? You’re not alone. Figuring out whether someone is interested in you has inspired countless movies, novels, and daily WhatsApp chats between friends. It’s in our nature to seek companionship and to want to be favored and accepted. However, it’s not always easy to read cues and signals, especially online and via text.
Navigating Modern Dating
With social media and dating apps offering us the opportunity to stay in touch with friends and make new connections from the comfort of our own homes, it’s no surprise that app use among single people has skyrocketed over the last few years.
Online dating offers the advantage of algorithms that show us people who fit our vision of the ‘perfect match’. However, these apps can also be a minefield of misinterpretation and a source of anxiety for many.
Is this person genuinely interested? Is it just a crush? Is there sexual tension? Do they want to be friends or date me? Modern dating can be incredibly confusing, often carried out via direct messages and voice notes.
This weakens our intuition and creates issues around trust, interpretation, and intention.
To help you determine whether or not someone is interested in a romantic relationship with you, we share the most common signs that a person is into you.
9 Signs That Someone Likes You
They Pay Close Attention
“If a person likes you, they pay close attention and remember what you’ve said.”
When we form a memory, it’s because our brain pays special attention to important information and stores it. A good memory for what you’ve said shows they value the information you share.
Notice that you mentioned your favorite book in passing during a conversation. Later, they surprise you by bringing up a quote from that book or asking for a recommendation for a similar read.
This shows they not only listened but also remembered and valued your interests.
Another example could be discussing your favorite type of cuisine. If they later suggest a restaurant that specializes in that cuisine for your next date, it demonstrates that they’ve taken your preferences to heart and want to create an enjoyable experience for you.
Remembering small details about your life, such as your pet’s name or a big project you’re working on, and asking follow-up questions about these topics in future conversations, are clear indicators that someone is genuinely interested in you.
It shows they are engaged and invested in getting to know you better.
They Ask You About Yourself
People show genuine interest in your life by asking about your day, hobbies, and interests. This curiosity indicates they care about you and want to know more about who you are.
You might casually mention that you’re taking a cooking class. Later, they might ask, “How was your cooking class this week? Did you try making anything new?” This shows they remembered what you shared and are genuinely interested in your experiences.
Another scenario is if you tell them about a project you’re working on at work. They might follow up by asking, “How did your presentation go?” or “Are you feeling good about the progress you’re making?” These questions reflect their attentiveness and eagerness to learn more about your life.
If they frequently ask about your favorite activities, such as hiking, reading, or playing a sport, and engage in conversations about these topics, it’s a strong sign they like you.
Their interest goes beyond small talk, showing they value your passions and enjoy hearing about what makes you happy.
They Mirror You
Our brains are naturally programmed to seek out familiarity, leading us to mimic the other person. Something that you should pay attention to is that they unconsciously start to mirror your behavior and mannerisms. This can include copying your posture, matching your voice volume, and adopting similar facial expressions.
When you gesture with your hands during a conversation, you might notice the other person starts doing the same. Or when you lean in slightly, they may follow suit. These subtle actions are signs that they’re subconsciously trying to build a connection with you.
In online interactions, mirroring can be seen in the way they use similar turns of phrase, spelling, or emojis. If you often use a specific emoji, you might notice them starting to use it more frequently as well. Or perhaps you have a unique way of ending your messages, and they begin to adopt the same style.
This mirroring behavior is a sign of rapport and connection, showing that they are attuned to you and feel comfortable aligning themselves with your actions and communication style. It’s a subtle yet powerful indicator of their interest and desire to connect on a deeper level.
Positive Body Language
Body language is a key indicator of interest, whether through video chats or in-person meetings. If someone likes you, they’ll likely hold eye contact, smile often, and find subtle ways to increase physical closeness.
During a video chat, you might notice they maintain steady eye contact and frequently smile when talking to you. This shows they are fully engaged and enjoy your company.
In an in-person setting, they might lean in closer while you’re talking or lightly touch your arm during a conversation. These actions indicate they want to be physically closer to you, reflecting their attraction and interest.
If you find that their touch or closeness makes you uncomfortable, it’s important to communicate your boundaries clearly. A respectful and interested person will understand and adjust their behavior to ensure you feel comfortable.
Positive body language, such as open posture, nodding in agreement, and mirroring your movements, further demonstrates their interest.
These subtle cues are strong indicators that they are genuinely attracted to you and want to build a connection.
Choice Of Communication
If you prefers texting, they will engage with you in the same manner, even if they usually like phone calls. They might text you regularly, respecting your comfort zone and not insisting on calls.
Similarly, if you enjoy phone calls over texts, they’ll make an effort to call you instead of just sending messages.
If chatting on a dating app makes you comfortable, they’ll continue the conversation there without pushing for your phone number or social media handles. This shows they respect your boundaries and are patient with your pace.
On the flip side, if someone pressures you to switch platforms or resist meeting up in person despite expressing your readiness, these could be red flags.
If they constantly push for your Instagram handle when you’re not comfortable sharing it yet, it may indicate they’re not respecting your boundaries.
Respecting your preferred communication method shows they’re considerate of your feelings and willing to meet you where you’re comfortable.
Constant Messaging
No matter how busy they get, if they always find the time to talk to you or respond to your messages, it’s a good sign they like you.
Supposedly, you share something exciting about your day, and they quickly reply with enthusiasm and ask more questions, it shows they’re genuinely interested.
Or if you mention a new hobby, and they follow up with several messages asking about it, it reflects their eagerness to learn more about you.
On the flip side, while frequent messages are a good sign, be mindful if they seem overwhelming or excessive. If they flood your inbox with multiple messages in a short span, it could be a sign of trying too hard, which might not always be a genuine indicator of interest.
Overall, consistent and thoughtful communication is a clear sign that someone likes you and is excited to connect, but balance is key to ensure their interest remains genuine and respectful.
Use Emojis
Use of emojis adds personality and emotion to their messages. Since words alone only capture a small part of communication, emojis can help convey feelings and make interactions more engaging.
When texting, if they send you messages with smiley faces, heart emojis, or even playful GIFs, it shows they’re putting effort into making your conversations more lively and fun.
It’s a way of showing their enthusiasm and making their messages feel more personal.
However, a lack of emojis doesn’t automatically mean they’re not interested. Some people simply prefer a more straightforward way of communicating.
On the flip side, if their messages rely heavily on emojis and lack depth, it might suggest they’re not as invested in having meaningful conversations.
Overall, while emojis can enhance communication, it’s important to consider the overall context of your interactions to gauge genuine interest.
Quick Response
“If they want to, they will.”
You’ll notice they respond to your messages quickly and keep the conversation flowing.
For example, if you text them about your day and they reply promptly with thoughtful responses or follow-up questions, it shows they’re keen on maintaining the conversation.
Even if they’re busy, they’ll let you know and make sure you’re not left wondering. If they take a bit longer to reply, they’ll often send a quick message explaining their delay, showing they value your communication and want to stay in touch.
In short, someone who genuinely likes you will consistently make an effort to be present and engaged in your interactions.
Compliments
Genuine interest usually comes with kindness and thoughtful compliments. Instead of focusing solely on your looks, someone who’s really interested will praise your personality, habits, and unique traits. For instance, they might compliment your sense of humor, how passionate you are about your hobbies, or how thoughtful you are in conversations.
If they make an effort to acknowledge what makes you special beyond just your appearance, it shows they appreciate you for who you are and are genuinely interested in building a deeper connection.
How to Deal with Rejection
Facing rejection can be tough, but it’s an inevitable part of dating. Instead of letting it hold you back, try to see rejection as a normal experience that doesn’t reflect your worth. Embracing this perspective can actually open doors to new opportunities and connections.
If you’re hesitant to share your feelings with a crush, think about why. Are you afraid of their reaction? If they’re not kind or respectful about your feelings, it might be a sign they’re not the right match for you.
For clarity in any relationship, it’s important to have open conversations about feelings and expectations. While rejection can be painful, taking risks and being honest can lead to valuable insights and better connections in the future.
If you enjoyed reading our article, you may also like our other articles on Red Flags, Green Flags and Honest Signals