Pearl Nash
Capricorn men are known for being a bit of a paradox. That means they can be very difficult to read.
Whilst they can be loyal, generous, and dependable, they’re also known to come across as frosty and detached at times.
So how do you know if his behavior is a part of his complex Capricorn nature, or whether it’s time you gave up on Capricorn man?
This article will help you figure him out.
A Capricorn man is confusing me
If you’re confused by a Capricorn man, then I’m not surprised.
Capricorn men can have a tendency to hold back. They protect their emotions at all costs. And this means it can take them an age to open up.
With a habit of hiding his feelings, a Capricorn man can be a puzzling romantic partner.
You may spend many an hour wondering what is really going on below the surface, and what he really feels and thinks about you.
Some of the most off-putting traits of the Capricorn man can make him seem:
- Cold
- Intimidating
- Aloof
- Unenthusiastic
- Untrusting
He might seem like a closed book, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything going on inside. It can just take some patience to get to the bottom of things.
But on the other hand, you don’t want to be wasting your precious time and energy on a Capricorn man who simply isn’t going to give you what you want.
So here are 12 signs it’s time to stop trying to understand a Capricorn man and move on.
12 signs it’s time to give up on a Capricorn man
1) He doesn’t show any acts of service
One of the keys to getting along with a Capricorn man can be learning to speak their love language.
We all have different ways of showing love and affection. When it comes to Capricorn men they are practical and conservative.
They can be emotionally closed off until they feel very comfortable with you. And they tend to hold back until they feel totally safe and at ease.
That is why certain so-called love languages are off the table for Capricorn men.
His least likely love language are going to be:
- Words of affirmation – because he can be shy and guarded.
- Physical touch – for the same reasons above.
- Quality time – because Capricorn men tend to be very goal-oriented, career driven, and busy.
That means if a Capricorn man is interested and genuinely cares about you he is most like to show you through:
- Acts of service
- Giving gifts
Capricorn men as Earth signs tend to be practical and tangible. He is unlikely to be a hopeless romantic.
Instead, he would show you he cares by doing things for you — offering you help, guidance, and support.
This could be anything from fixing your car to giving you career advice (his favorite subject).
If the Capricorn man in question isn’t showing you affection via any love language, even an act of service, then it could be time to call it quits.
2) He knows you are into him but hasn’t made a move
The Capricorn man may appear to be cold and distant, but he has feelings. And he wants to express those feelings. But he needs to feel safe before he does.
Capricorn men especially don’t handle rejection well.
So even if you think he must know that you’re into him, don’t be so sure. He often wants to be certain before he risks putting himself out there.
But once it is crystal clear you like him, he should be more confident at making a move.
As a cardinal sign, Capricorn men are actually very self-motivated. So he shouldn’t have a problem in being direct and making his intentions towards you clear.
Whilst it might not come in the form of a candlelit dinner for two (Capricorn guys are often too practical for romance), he would invite you out if he wants to see you.
Maybe you have told him explicitly how you feel about him. You might have been consistent with your affection and attention for a long time.
If you have put yourself out there but he remains silent, then you might need to accept that he just might not feel the same.
3) He doesn’t invest time and energy into you
Away from his less than appealing side, Capricorn men are desirable for lots of very good reasons.
They make great long-term partners. And one of the reasons is how much they invest into you.
When a Capricorn man is in love he cares just as deeply about his other half’s development and growth as his own.
He will happily spend plenty of time and energy on them.
As a natural leader, a Capricorn man wants to guide, advise and support. He is prepared to put in effort and bring value to a relationship.
So if a Capricorn man isn’t investing any time and energy in you it is a huge red flag.
If he saw you as a potential life partner, his ambitious and dedicated nature would make him inclined to put in the work.
Even if you are still just getting to know each other and nothing romantic has bloomed yet — if a Capricorn man doesn’t give you his attention, he does not see you as a priority.
4) He doesn’t defend or protect you
Capricorns can be fiercely loyal and dependable when they care for someone. It’s part of their makeup.
A Capricorn who is interested in you will defend you, stick up for you and be on your side.
That doesn’t mean they will always blindly go along with whatever you say. But when it comes down to it, he would feel triggered to protect you and have your back.
In fact, according to a new psychological theory called ‘The hero instinct’, men are genetically programmed to protect and care for the women they love.
For Capricorn men, this is probably doubly the case. Not only is this urge in his DNA, but it’s also ingrained in his astrology.
When a woman triggers this instinct in him, he can’t help but love harder and commit.
So if a Capricorn guy shows zero signs that he feels this way about you, it is highly likely you aren’t triggering this instinct for him.
If you’re curious to know more about the hero instinct, then the best thing to do is to check out James Bauer’s free video here.
He teaches women what they can do to trigger a man’s hero instinct. And he shares some easy tips to get you started — like sending him a 12-word text that will trigger his hero instinct right away.
Click here to watch the free video.
5) He’s even colder than normal
I think it’s important we clear something up in case there is doubt.
Yes, Capricorn guys can seem a bit cooler in the love department than some other signs in the zodiac. So you will have to be prepared for that. But he should never be so cold he gives you frostbite.
Any guy who likes you, even an awkward and tricky Capricorn man is going to give you some signs he is into you.
He will show you attention. He will make an effort to see you. He will text you or reach out. He will pay you compliments. He will flirt.
Whatever it is, he will give you something to go on. Something that makes you think, ok he does like me, despite his Capricorn ways.
If he is giving you totally arctic vibes, that’s not normal from a Capricorn man who is into you.
So if he is even colder than normal, it is probably time to send this sea goat on his way.
6) He has zero reasons to doubt your affection
The cautious Capricorn is bound to remain protected and guarded when they have cause to.
After all, they can be stubborn and untrusting.
So if you’ve given him the run around in the past, he is less likely to open up. Capricorn men can be quick to take the slightest thing as a knockback.
Cancel a date or refuse an invitation from him and you will be waiting a long time to receive another invite from this sensitive sign.
If you have made him question whether he can trust you, you might need to show even more patience in waiting for him to open up again.
But what if you have been nothing but loyal, affectionate, and consistently shown your interest?
Then his standoffishness might mean you are wasting your time with him.
7) He always puts work ahead of you
Thanks to the drive, ambition, and hardworking nature of the Capricorn they can be workaholics.
They often put their career first, which means they don’t really prioritize much else. Work-life balance is often a way off with Capricorns.
But if you’re trying to build a relationship with a Capricorn man, you may find yourself constantly having to prove yourself worthy of his time.
You’ll always have to be patient and understanding while he works through whatever issues he has with his job when dating a Capricorn.
Don’t be surprised if you get a last-minute call telling you he has to cancel because “something came up at the office”.
If you always seem to come last in his list of “things to do” then you are bound to feel neglected.
Yes, Capricorns are going places, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t make time for you. And if his feelings are genuine, then he will.
If he is constantly at the office or always making excuses for why he cannot see you, then the brutal truth is that you are not high enough up on his agenda.
8) He hasn’t opened up at all
I’m guessing that if you are questioning whether it’s time to give up on a certain Capricorn man, you have already given it some time.
When wondering how long before a Capricorn man opens up to you, sadly it can be, how long is a piece of string?!
It depends on the guy really.
But it’s important to realize that Capricorns are capable of close and tender bonds.
Don’t expect him to share all his deepest secrets within 5 minutes of meeting him.
But it is perfectly reasonable for you to expect him to have opened up to you, at least a bit if it’s been some time that you have known each other now.
You can expect him to share with you his ideas, his thoughts, and feelings.
Opening up also comes in different forms. Capricorn men may not be big talkers, but they are usually great listeners. And will happily bestow their good instincts and advice.
So if there isn’t even the slightest crack in the door and he keeps you firmly barricaded out, then sadly he may never open up to you.
9) You question whether you are really compatible
We can quickly get swept up in an idealized fairytale when we meet someone we like. But aside from raw attraction, compatibility is everything.
Do you have different values, goals, and aims in life?
Capricorns can be very goal-oriented. So if you are not heading in the same direction or want the same things, you will probably struggle in the future to align your lives.
A Capricorn man is unlikely to give up his grand plans in life for you, so it is important you are on the same page and want the same things out of life.
Deep down Capricorn men want stability and security.
In terms of good zodiac partners for a Capricorn, some of the most compatible signs are other grounded earth signs like Virgo and Taurus, as well as fellow Capricorns. It can be easier as they speak the same sort of language emotionally.
Water signs such as Cancer, Pisces, and Scorpios are also often a good fit when it comes to creating a deeper emotional connection.
Signs that will probably need to work a bit harder and are less naturally compatible with Capricorn men are air signs like Aquarius, Libra, and Gemini or fire signs like Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.
10) He is very distant and tries to put space between you
Again, there is a big difference between being a little guarded and totally closed off.
If he seems a bit distant then he might be trying to protect himself from getting hurt by you. Or perhaps he just doesn’t feel comfortable sharing his innermost thoughts with you yet.
As we’ve said, this is normal behavior for Capricorn men. They can have a tendency to keep themselves to themselves and prefer to do things alone.
But a Capricorn man who tries to put too much space between you seems more uninvested or uninterested.
If he backs off completely, then there is only so much you can do. It will take two people to make romance blossom.
You cannot do all the work, and neither should you have to.
11) You have pursued him but he hasn’t shown any romantic interest
Maybe things have never gotten off the ground with this Capricorn man, despite your best efforts?
A lot of people find that they are the ones who do all of the chasings in the early stages with a Capricorn guy.
They do need a lot of subtle interest thrown their way.
The tricky part is doing it in a way that doesn’t put too much pressure on him and causes him to freak out.
That means getting a bit sneaky about it all. Things like “bumping into him” when you know he’s going to be somewhere.
Another good trick with a Capricorn man can be to get his advice. They love to feel needed and useful.
This also relates back to that psychological concept I mentioned earlier: the hero instinct.
When a man feels respected and wanted, he’s more likely to commit. Asking for his help is a really good way of triggering this in him.
It’s actually pretty simple when you know how. A reminder that you can learn exactly what to do by watching this video by James Bauer.
If you have already tried every single trick in the book to get your Capricorn guy to pay attention and notice you, then sadly it might be quitting time.
If he has only ever given off friend vibes, he never flirts and doesn’t encourage your attention, I’m sorry to say, he just isn’t interested.
12) Your patience hasn’t paid off
I will admit that I am not the most patient of people. What can I say, I am an Aries after all. We are known for wanting instant gratification.
But perhaps you have been patient. And now your patience is wearing thin.
The problem is that Capricorn men can be known for their indecisiveness.
They tend to overthink things, which can mean they only confuse themselves more and more.
I do think a little bit of patience can be a virtue. They do say that good thing come to those who wait.
But if it has been a while now and you are still getting nothing from him, you may have had enough.
It’s always going to be a fine line when deciding how much of your energy you give to someone.
Only you can really decide. But it is a good idea to try to tap into your gut reaction. What does it tell you?
If you had to make a snap decision and not overthink things, what do your instincts say? Are you wasting your time?
I appreciate it can be difficult to know.
We tend to complicate things when it comes to love. We go around in circles contradicting ourselves so we can’t see the truth anymore.
To conclude: when to give up on a Capricorn man
We all have our good and bad sides, and the same goes for a Capricorn man.
He can be very charming and sweet one minute and then seemingly turn cold-hearted or distant the next.
A little bit of patience and a Capricorn man can open up to you in his own time. But you don’t want to waste your time or energy trying to change something that isn’t changing.
So if it feels like you are trying to get blood out of a stone, it might be time to admit defeat and move on.
If you’ve tried everything you could possibly think of to get him to notice you, and he’s still showing no signs of interest, then you probably need to let go.
After all, there are plenty of other fish in the sea than this sea-goat!
