I think we’ve now reached a point where we have to realize that many guys aren’t willing to come out and say that they’re in love with you. So we’ve got to stop holding our breath waiting for some guy to confess his love because he’s afraid of what the consequences might be.
First off, you should know that it is not necessarily a bad sign if a guy is hiding his feelings for you. If he is just shy and doesn’t know how to show his feelings, it’s nothing wrong at all.
The other day I met a guy, and he didn’t seem like the type of person interested in me. He was a little aloof and standoffish.
After a few drinks later that night, he revealed that he’s been crushing on me for the last few weeks but feels too nervous to ask me out.
This revelation put my mind at ease because I had never gone out with someone who was into me–not without some feeling being reciprocated first. So when this guy asked if I wanted to hang out again, I happily accepted.
If you’re reading this, you probably have a general idea that a guy likes you. But he may not be feeling comfortable making the first move.
There are all sorts of reasons why someone may feel hesitant to make a move on you.
Why Would A Man Hide His Feelings?
For many men, it is a natural response that they learn as children. They are told to share their feelings to avoid being hurt, left out, or ridiculed.
A man shouldn’t be seen crying over a broken heart or express any emotional vulnerability (a developmental contextual perspective) . But, unfortunately, this behavior is what society teaches us, and it’s not just limited to the dating world. It extends into work and to every aspect of life as well.
However, for some men, this response becomes unproductive over time in adulthood. The fear of rejection is what makes them distance themselves from relationships.
This fear creates an unhealthy cycle where they hold onto a false sense of confidence that masks the lack of self-esteem. For example, a man may be very interested in hiding his feelings for you.
#1 – Men Are Afraid Of Rejection
Men often worry about how other people view them and are too afraid of someone else’s rejection than their own. Their fear usually comes from past experiences where people were cruel or mean with no reason at all.
As a result, you see many men having difficulty expressing themselves emotionally, even with loved ones.
Men often struggle with expressing their true feelings for fear of being judged or rejected.
Sometimes when a man feels uncomfortable about his emotions, he may hide them from appearing more masculine and dominant than he is.
Other times a man will share his feelings to be accepted by others and avoid judgemental reactions from other men.
#2 – Men Are Afraid Of Being Vulnerable
Men are indeed conditioned to hide their feelings. But, unfortunately, this mindset makes it difficult for them to communicate and express themselves in a meaningful way.
Guys have been socialized from a young age by mothers and fathers, teachers, coaches, bosses, and other social figures to keep their emotions in check. They’re taught that it’s not “manly” or “strong” when they cry or show any sign of weakness.
Men are also taught that showing signs of vulnerability will make them look weak and make women chase after them more than they already do.
They often find it easier to hide these thoughts and feelings from other people, including themselves, by avoiding situations that may elicit any type of emotion whatsoever and bottling everything up inside until it’s time to explore.
#3 – Men Believe Certain Emotions Make Them Less Manly
Emotions are a vital part of human nature, and a man’s feelings are one of his most important characteristics.
It can be challenging to display emotions, but men must do so to maintain their masculinity. Men who don’t express their feelings feel like they’re not “masculine” and may feel ashamed.
Men believe certain emotions make them less manly. So why would a man hide his feelings?
The answer is complicated and may vary depending on the individual.
Still, in general, men hide their feelings because they are afraid of what others will think or say about them if they express themselves. Men who don’t tell their emotions feel like they’re not being “masculine” and may feel ashamed.
#4 – Men Don’t Know How To Show Their True Feelings
Men are biologically wired to be stoic, and what’s more, they don’t want to show their emotions. As a result, men typically hold themselves together and try not to let anything affect them emotionally.
Considering the average man’s natural tendency to hide his feelings, it’s no surprise they have difficulty articulating how they feel in words. This complexity is why men often struggle with expressing love or saying they miss someone when it’s time for them to go away.
In relationships with men, there are many things that women should focus on regarding their loved ones.
For instance, noticing when your man is sad or angry or happy takes a keen eye and listening skills on your part. Women often need to be very attentive and aware of their partner’s emotions for their relationship with him to be sustainable and healthy.
#5 – Men Think Expressing Emotion Is A Sign Of Weakness
Men think expressing emotion is a sign of weakness. Therefore, men are taught to keep their feelings hidden and not show any vulnerability in front of others.
Some men feel that it’s not manly to cry, let alone laugh. Others may think that the emotion they’re feeling is embarrassing or inappropriate.
For example, if you’re feeling a little sad and want to share how you’re feeling with your partner, you don’t want them to know why.
It’s not hard to see why men might hide their feelings from loved ones and even the people closest to them. Guys have been taught from an early age that it’s not ok for them to be vulnerable, and when they start showing signs of vulnerability, it can make some people uncomfortable.
What If We Could Change This?
He may be very interested in you but is hiding his feelings.
You know, and he knows that he likes you, but he’s too afraid to tell you.
He may not even be aware of how much you appreciate him because he never takes the time to express himself. There could be some underlying issues that are making him so afraid to let his guard down.
- We can’t change society overnight, but we can show our loved ones that they’re not alone with their emotions and help them better navigate the world of emotions.
- We can encourage each other to express themselves more fully and share their struggles openly without judgment.
- We can be vulnerable together rather than hiding behind false bravado all the time. We should be more open to each other and not feel the need to protect ourselves at all times.
What Are The Signs That A Guy Is Hiding His True Feelings From You?
A guy will try to control your relationship. For example, he may take over decision-making and do all the talking while you sit back and listen.
He will not be open to conversation. Instead of sharing his feelings, he will clam up or keep the conversation lighthearted even when your relationship has gotten serious.
He may act indifferently towards you when your relationship is at its most vulnerable point.
A guy is hiding his true feelings from you when has no interest in seeing where things go. As a result, he is more likely to pull away than to stick around.
It’s essential to be able to read the signs a guy is hiding his feelings for you. If he isn’t telling you what’s going on, you need to figure out what your next move should be.
- One of them is when he becomes uncomfortable and changes the topic of conversation when talking about his family, friends, or career.
- Another sign to look for is if he becomes nervous or uncomfortable talking about the relationship’s future.
- He will also avoid touching you in public and may disagree with your opinions on specific topics. This manner could even lead to him having a fight with you over something seemingly trivial.
When it comes to these signs he’s hiding his feelings for you, they can also be viewed as red flags because they are clear indications that there may be an issue with communication between you and your partner.
When someone is hiding his feelings for you, it can feel like an eternity. You might think that the person has no interest in you, but this could be the truth.
How Do You Know If Someone Is Hiding Their Feelings For You?
Is he hiding his feelings or not interested? There are tell-tale signs that a man may be hiding their feelings for you.
For example, when they make all the effort to avoid you on social media or refuse to meet for a drink even after weeks of texting and planning it. A person hiding their feelings for you is likely not in the right headspace to have a healthy relationship with you.
The first signs to look for are when they don’t answer your questions or change the conversation topic quickly. If that’s the case, it’s time to find out why they are hiding their emotions.
Next, you have to know where you stand with them and whether or not they feel comfortable with you or are trying to spare your feelings at all costs. This information helps you understand how your relationship progresses and gives you insight into a man’s personality.
Hiding feelings is not a sign that someone doesn’t like you. They may have other motives for not expressing their true feelings. It’s essential to remain open-minded and talk to them instead of assuming the worst.
When it comes to dating, people always look for signs that show how much someone likes them. But sometimes, people don’t know how they feel about someone even though they’re friends with them.
Sometimes, people also hide their feelings because they don’t want to risk getting hurt by the person they like or because men are afraid of being rejected by the person they like in return.
Some people have a hard time saying “I love you,” so frequently, these same people keep their feelings hidden until it’s too late and things have already ended. Unfortunately, this way of thinking can make things difficult for the person you love.
5 Signs A Guy Is Hiding His Feelings For You
You are just starting to date someone, and you’re noticing he has many hidden feelings for you.
That’s great because it means that he’s attracted to you, but it also could be a sign that he’s hiding something. It could mean that he’s trying to avoid hurting your feelings by not expressing his true thoughts about your dating status.
#1 – He’s Not As Excited When You Meet Up With Him As He Would Be With Someone Else
He doesn’t make the same level of eye contact and greets you with a less enthusiastic hello that he would usually have given to someone else. He might be more passive in conversation, too. On the other hand, it’s possible he’s just tired of feeling drained after a long day at work.
It can also be that he has become accustomed to spending time with friends and colleagues, so meeting up with an old friend who is no longer in your life could feel awkward for him.
For whatever reason, this may happen sometimes, but it doesn’t mean anything negative about your friendship or his feelings towards me.
BUT, I’ve been in this exact situation many times before, where I meet up with the guy I like, but he’s not as excited as he would be if it were someone else. Usually, we’ll make small talk until he tells me how much worse his day went or that one time when he got into an argument with his mom and was so angry.
Sometimes, the best way to handle these situations is to leave without saying anything at all.
If your date seems indifferent towards your presence, it means that they are not as interested in getting to know more about you as they would be with someone else.
Your guy might be very busy and preoccupied with other things, or he might have an issue with your personality that makes them want a break from dating altogether.
#2 – He Doesn’t Take Your Phone Calls Or Texts Seriously
In the world of technology, it’s easy to take for granted how important our phones are. But, unfortunately, what started as a tool to help us stay connected has grown into a tool that we cannot live without having on hand all day.
But something that can be difficult to swallow is when you’re the recipient of unanswered calls and texts. It’s frustrating because people don’t deserve to be ignored.
It’s as if he doesn’t care about you and your feelings. He doesn’t take your phone calls or texts seriously, which is the opposite of how he acted when you first met.
He’s always busy, and his phone is constantly on silent mode. So he never has time for you, but he will always have time to respond to an email or text message on time.
It is essential to keep in mind that not all people have the same responsiveness to calls and texts. They might be busy, may not be able to pick up your phone call, or don’t feel like talking.
When you’re trying to create a relationship with someone for the first time, it’s common for people to want a phone call or text back right away. However, when your new partner seems disinterested in responding by text or phone call, it can be frustrating.
The best thing that you can do is communicate face-to-face whenever possible and use other forms of communication such as email or social media if necessary.
#3 – He Works Too Much Or Has A Tight Schedule
Many people work too much and don’t seem to understand that there are other things in life. Some don’t have the time, others are too busy with work, but some also seem to be purposely hiding their emotions or not interested.
Some women will be with a man for over a year before he finally asks them out. Other men are not that picky. A man’s social life is hectic, but his work life is not. He works too much or has a tight schedule, or always busy to go out on dates.
If he’s working and doesn’t have time for dates, maybe he isn’t interested in dating you.
Perhaps he isn’t interested in you at all. You could be wasting your time by waiting around for him to ask you out when he never will because of his work schedule or other obligations like family, friends, (or kids) that make it hard for him to take part in your relationship.
So, what is the thing that makes him look like he’s always busy and never around?
To find out, you should ask. For example, your guy might be tired of being alone and wants someone to be there for him. But if he has a tight schedule, he may not be interested in getting into a relationship right now.
He may also not want to get into another relationship because he doesn’t see himself as being able to commit or put in the time needed for long-term dating.
You may also want to read 5 Questions That Can Lead You to a Meaningful Life.
#4 – He Talks About Past Relationships To Make You Feel Insecure In Yours
A selfish person will go out of their way to make you feel insecure in your own life. They will often talk about past relationships and how past partners have hurt them.
Narcissists are often charming and charismatic when first meeting someone, but this tends to wear off soon after the initial attraction has worn off. They also tend to resent those closest to them or their partner for “taking up” their time.
Many people have found themselves in long-term relationships with people who, over time, revealed aspects of their past that made them feel insecure in the current emotional connection.
One way to take back your power from these feelings is to learn about your partner’s past.
Asking questions like “what happened this time,” “why did you react that way,” and “how do you know when you’re getting too close” can help you figure out what might be going on below the surface.
Don’t be too pushy when these discussions come up, but it’s time to exit and move on with your life before you end up hurt if there are serious red flags.
We are guilty of thinking that people who have been in a relationship before us are inherently better than we are, but this is not the case. Instead, what matters is how you feel about yourself and how the other person reacts to you.
Relationships can be complicated, and they’re never black and white.
It’s important to remember that if someone has had a bad experience in their past love life, it doesn’t mean it will happen to you too.
#5 – He’s Friend-Zoned You Over And Over Again, Even Though He Knows You Like Him Too
Friend-zoning is a term used in dating and romantic contexts to describe when someone is romantically interested in someone else but chooses not to pursue a relationship. In other words, they treat their friend as if they were their significant other.
There are reasons why people do this, including fear of rejection from their friends and the potential backlash from friends who see themselves as rivals for the person’s affections.
Finally, you can end up being friend-zoned for years on end until that person moves on, or you finally give up and break it off yourself.
It’s frustrating when a guy you like doesn’t seem to know that you want him.
Feeling frustrated when you like someone but they don’t seem to know that you’re interested in them is a familiar feeling, especially for those who have spent a lot of time trying to avoid it.
It’s difficult enough navigating romantic relationships without unnecessary obstacles and confusion, but sometimes all it takes is some gentle persistence (or perhaps a little more).
Sometimes, it can be challenging to put your feelings into words, and it may feel even more difficult for the guy in question. But he is not ignoring you; he isn’t aware of your feelings.
When this happens, try to find common interests with the guy in question and talk about those things with him.
If that doesn’t work, suggest that he speak with a friend of yours who has experience dating someone who likes them, but they don’t return their feelings.
Body Language Signs Showing A Man Is Attracted To You
Signs a man likes you can be surprisingly subtle. He might not be the most expressive person, but hiding his true feelings can be remarkably fine.
If a guy likes you, he might ask you if you’re available and whether or not you’re seeing anyone. Sometimes this means that the guy is looking for something casual–nothing more than some simple romance.
Other times it means that he may be trying to see if there’s any chance of developing a deeper relationship with the person he’s asking this question.
Some common signs include:
- He always makes eye contact when speaking to you
- He always asks about your day and how your day is going
- He compliments you on something, even if it’s nothing major
Other simple signs:
- He laughs at your jokes
- He touches you on the arm or hand when you’re talking
- He looks at your eyes and smiles when he talks to you, rather than looking down at the ground
Let’s Talk More About Body Language!
Many people wonder what all the various body language signs that men give off when attracted to you. There are a lot of different physical displays that men show when they are interested in you.
He is leaning forward
Leaning forward is a universal sign of interest.
If it’s evident that the person you’re talking to leans over, it can be an easy sign that they are interested in what you’re saying. Walking up close and touching is another good way of indicating attraction.
The way a man leans forward is an excellent sign of attraction and interest in what you are saying.
A man leaning forward gives the signal to approach him and start a conversation. This gesture is one of the most accessible body language signs for a man to express that he is interested in you.
In general, men are less likely to lean back when they are not attracted to someone.
However, it can also be used as an approach signal because the person leaning back may not be interested in any further interaction with this person.
If you want to lean in, you want to be perceived as someone open to new things. This tilt is usually done when sharing information with someone else or asking for their input on something.
It is essential for ladies to maintain eye contact during conversations with men because looking away or turning your head down signals rejection or disinterest (in either case, do not turn your head around quickly).
Eye contact also signals confidence and attentiveness, which is essential for any business. It makes the other person feel comfortable talking to you.
He is touching your hand
Touching your hand is a sure sign that a man is attracted to you.
A courteous gentleman will always offer his hand for you to shake when he meets you, and if he doesn’t, it might mean he is not interested in getting to know you.
Touching your hand with another person is one of the most common ways for women and men to show physical affection towards one another. It typically shows respect and trust in the relationship and the desire for closeness between people involved.
A man may touch your hand as an indicator of interest.
Touching someone’s hand shows that they are warm and friendly without being too personal. By maintaining physical contact, the person actively seeks to build on the relationship with you.
Men often feel more confident and assertive when they can see their woman reciprocating their body language. In other words, if you lean back or cross your arms, it’s widespread for him to mirror this behavior without any hesitation.
If a man touches your hand and then quickly retracts it, he feels nervous or maybe in too much of a hurry.
On the other hand, if the man touches your hand for more than just an exchange of pleasantries, then it’s likely that he’s interested in getting to know you better.
A gentle squeeze on the arm can also be a sign of attraction but don’t count on this gesture exclusively; sometimes, the guy might just be trying to seem cool and not come across as too eager.
Epilogue: He’s Not Feeling It, Or He Doesn’t Want To Talk About It
People don’t like talking about their feelings, so it can be challenging to find out what’s going on in their heads. However, you can still get a sense of what’s going on in your friend’s life through natural conversation.
When you’re in a relationship, sometimes people can communicate about feelings and emotions.
It can be challenging to understand what’s going on inside someone else’s head when you’re not. It’s important to know when your partner feels something or not feeling something, including when they are just polite.
Men are four times less likely to share their feelings than women because they’re afraid of being judged, and they don’t want to burden the relationship with their emotions. But the risk is that men aren’t expressing what’s bothering them, so that it can lead to a lot of resentment and unnecessary drama in relationships.
When someone is having a hard time with their emotions, they might say things like “I’m not into this” or “I’m fine.” Of course, these are not the best responses to give when trying to get help, but you must understand what they are feeling.
If someone has been feeling withdrawn and seems like they’re trying to avoid talking about something, one option is to ask them whether anything specific has been happening.
Another option is asking if there’s anything you’ve noticed that might have caused that behavior change.