In a world where it is thankfully acceptable for members of the opposite sex to co-exist in platonic friendships without people getting ‘the wrong idea’, it can sometimes prove fairly difficult to work out when the ‘friendship’ has sailed, and the ‘relationship’ is coming in to dock. How can you tell if he’s harbouring feelings for you? Simple.
A women’s intuition is a powerful tool, and probably is the one of the attributes that makes us the greater sex, (we’re kidding lads, calm down), and ladies when you’ve got a gut feeling that something is up with a friend, you’re probably right.
We’ve enlisted the help of our friend 50 Cent to explain the tellings signs that a man will display when he wants to be more than just friends.
1. “But, That’s What Friends Are For…”
He keeps referring to his as your “friend”, this is an attempt to disguise his true feelings and starts to go out of his way to do things for you because “that’s what friends are for.”
2. Eye Spy
A telling sign that a friend likes you is when he maintains eye contact.
So, you’ve caught him staring once or twice, and when you do catch his eye he doesn’t look away? That’s because he simply can’t take his eyes off you.
Friends engage in eye contact when chatting, but the gazing for long periods of time is a different situation. He likes what he sees, and sure can you blame him? He’s only human.
3. “I’ll Get That”
He simply cannot do enough for you. Granted, real friends are there to help us in our hour of need, but this is very different.
He starts by getting the bill, but not just when you’re out for a catch up coffee.
He starts paying you into the club, (ignoring the rest of the group that’s in the queue behind him). He’ll make sure you’re alright for a drink, (as far as he’s concerned the other friends are never thirsty). He takes your coat to the cloakrooms. Pays for the taxi home… This vessel is anchored, the friendship is no where to be seen.
4. 21 Questions
He wants to know everything about you, a little more than a friend should.
He quizzes you about the guy you met, or why you are not going out. Usually small signs of jealousy begin to seep through.
5. “If I was” or “We”
Those famous words. “If I was”, usually followed by the words, ‘your boyfriend’ or ‘with you’, often finishing with ‘I’d never do that’.
Then there is the “we” reference in conversations. “We should to do that.” Oh should we now?!
His way of letting you know he’s interested is sometimes so obvious. If he’s giving you advice on men and uses any of the mentioned terminology, you’ve a situation on your hands.
6. Part-Time Friend, Full-Time Comedian
Every man knows that all women love a man that can make them laugh, and so his joke machine is on overdrive, bless him.
He’ll do anything just to put a smile on your face. The “unintentional” flirty messages complete with emoticons, sure they don’t mean anything at all. That suggestive winky face is only harmless fun…
7. Late Night Phone Calls
Not only does he know your number off by heart, but along with the constant text messages, he has started to call you for no reason.
These ‘friendly’ conversations usually take place in the evening, and if his feelings for you are reciprocated, you spend the majority of the evening engaged in some form of communication with each other.
Ah, those long conversations about nothing… so sweet.
8. He Crosses The Line.
He has given up trying to hide it any longer, and with the slip of a tongue he blurts out the something he shouldn’t have. “You look really beautiful.”
We’re not saying friends can’t or don’t acknowledge when you’re looking your best, but after he has called you the night before to make sure you were going out that night. Collected you. Paid you in, and is now at the bar buying you a drink and telling you look amazing while staring lovingly into eyes… He’s got it bad.
We’d like to thank 50 Cent for providing us with the inspiration for this piece. Good man, 50!
He wears his heart on his sleeve that fella.
