Minh Tran
If a guy keeps glancing your way, it could mean he’s into you. If he stammers during conversations, he might just be feeling the butterflies.
This is the basic of romantic attraction, right?
But, sometimes, it’s not that straightforward. Men, just like women, can be an enigma when it comes to their feelings.
Especially when they’re in denial about them.
So how do you crack this code?
Well, as someone who’s been studying mindfulness and human behavior for years, I’ve noticed there are 8 specific signs that give it away.
Let’s dive in.
1) The eye contact is intense
Eyes don’t lie.
They are the windows to the soul, as the cliché goes, and it’s true. Especially when it comes to attraction.
When a man is attracted to you but is trying to hide it, his eyes will tell you everything.
He may look away quickly when you catch him staring, or he might hold your gaze longer than necessary during a conversation, even when he’s saying something that doesn’t warrant such intensity.
It’s as if his eyes are drawn to you like a magnet, even while he’s fighting it and attempting to deny his feelings.
Subconsciously, he’s drawn to you and his eyes simply can’t resist the pull. It’s a clear sign of attraction that’s hard to mask, no matter how hard he tries.
Keep an eye out for this one — pun intended!
2) He’s always there… even when he doesn’t need to be
Now, this one’s a bit tricky and it took me a while to figure it out.
Back in college, there was this guy in my circle of friends who would always be around me. At first, I thought it was coincidental.
After all, we had the same friends and the same classes. But then I started noticing he’d always find a reason to be near me, even in situations where it didn’t make much sense.
He’d walk me to my next class even though his was in the opposite direction. He’d offer to help me with assignments even though he was swamped with his own work.
He wasn’t doing these things for anyone else, just me. Yet, he’d always brush it off as him ‘just being nice’ when anyone pointed it out.
That’s when I realized: He was attracted to me but was denying his feelings, even to himself.
This sign may seem subtle, but once you start noticing it, you’ll realize how telling it truly is.
3) He’s more touchy-feely than usual
Physical touch is a powerful way of communicating our feelings, even when we’re not aware of it.
When a man is attracted to you but is in denial about his feelings, he might find excuses to touch you more often.
It could be a gentle push, a pat on the back, or casually brushing against you when passing by.
Interestingly, research in the field of nonverbal communication has shown that people often touch those they are attracted to subconsciously.
It’s a natural instinct that goes back to our primal roots, signaling interest and desire.
If he’s finding more reasons to initiate physical contact, chances are he’s attracted to you but isn’t ready or willing to admit it yet.
4) He remembers the little things
When a man is attracted to you, he tends to remember even the most insignificant details about you.
It’s because his mind subconsciously prioritizes you, and as a result, he pays more attention to what you say or do.
If he remembers that random story you mentioned about your childhood pet, or how you like your coffee, even though you only mentioned it in passing, it’s a clear sign that he’s attracted to you.
The thing is, he might not even realize why he’s remembering all these details. He’s in denial of his feelings, but his subconscious mind is doing all the talking.
Keep an eye out for this one – it’s a subtle but strong indication of attraction.
5) He’s overly protective
This one’s a classic.
I’ve seen it happen countless times, and I’ve experienced it myself. When a man is attracted to a woman, he can’t help but feel protective over her.
It’s an instinctive response that shows he cares about you, even if he’s not ready to admit it.
This doesn’t mean he’ll act like a superhero and save you from every minor inconvenience.
It’s more subtle than that. For instance, he might text you to make sure you got home safe, or he might offer his jacket when it’s cold, even if he ends up freezing.
In my experience, this protective instinct often surfaces long before a man is willing to admit his feelings.
If he’s acting like your personal guardian, chances are he’s more attracted to you than he wants to admit.
6) He teases you a lot
This might seem like he’s just being annoying, but it could actually be a sign of hidden attraction. Remember the playground rule from childhood?
The boy who pulls your hair or teases you is the one who likes you.
Well, turns out, not much changes when we grow up.
If he’s always making good-natured jokes at your expense, or playfully teasing you, it’s his way of connecting with you.
He uses humor to mask his feelings and to keep things light-hearted while subconsciously trying to grab your attention.
Don’t write off the teasing as immaturity – it might just be his way of saying he’s attracted to you.
7) He acts differently around you
When a man is attracted to you but is trying to hide it, his behavior can fluctuate drastically when you’re around.
He might be the life of the party usually but becomes quiet and reserved when you’re present. Or, he might usually be laid-back, but around you, he tends to fumble or act nervous.
These changes in behavior are often subconscious and stem from his underlying feelings for you. He’s trying to cope with the attraction he feels and is unsure of how to act around you.
If you notice him behaving differently in your presence compared to how he is with others, it’s a big hint that he may be attracted to you but is in denial about his feelings.
8) He gets jealous, even when there’s no reason to be
This is the biggest telltale sign of all. Even if a man is in denial about his feelings, his jealousy often gives him away.
If he seems bothered or uneasy when you talk about other men, or if he appears jealous when you spend time with others, it’s a clear indication that he’s attracted to you.
His feelings are strong enough to ignite jealousy, even if he isn’t admitting those feelings to himself.
This sign is hard to misinterpret and is usually the final confirmation that he’s into you, even if he’s not saying it out loud.
Closing thoughts
If you’ve reached this far, it’s clear that the realm of human emotions and attraction is a fascinating and complex one.
It’s important to remember that men, just like women, have their own way of dealing with emotions.
Denial is often a defense mechanism used to avoid confronting feelings that might seem overwhelming or scary.
But as we’ve discussed, there are signs that can help you decode this emotional puzzle.
These signs are not just about reading others, but also about understanding ourselves better.
In the end, it’s not just about figuring out if he’s attracted to you. It’s about empathy, understanding, and realizing that everyone has their own unique way of expressing their feelings.
Attraction is a complicated dance. It’s raw, it’s beautiful, and it’s deeply human.
And while it can be confusing at times, it’s these complexities that make it worth exploring.
Keep these signs in mind, but also trust your instincts. After all, when it comes to matters of the heart, intuition often proves to be our best guide.
