18 Signs A Guy Doesn’t Have A Lot Of Relationship Experience

There’s nothing wrong with dating a guy who’s never been serious with anyone, but it does make you think. If he’s in his late 20s or even older, you have to wonder if there are some things he’s doing to keep women at bay. Maybe he’s so anti-relationships that he prefers flying solo, or he’s got zero experience with emotional intimacy. Whatever the case, here are 18 clear signs a guy has never had a girlfriend before. Do with that realization what you will!

1. He Doesn’t Know Anything About Romance.

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He misses opportunities on dates to be romantic. For example, he doesn’t hold a door open for you or he walks right past a guy selling beautiful roses. When you lean in closer, he glances at the menu or look away. He either isn’t feeling you or he’s completely inept when it comes to the ways of the heart.

2. He’s Overly Nervous On Dates.

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It’s normal to feel nervous on a first date, but this feeling should dissipate with time. If he seems to be growing more nervous as you keep seeing each other, it could be because getting more serious is new to him and freaks him out. He might not be on the same page as you (or worry that’s the case) so his anxiety is getting the better of him.

3. He Never Talks About His Dating History.

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When you try to suss out how many women he’s dated or when his last relationship was, he might give you vague answers, such as “Oh, it was nothing too serious” or “Not much to tell.” While there are other potential reasons for this, it could indicate a lack of experience. (BTW, if you want to date people who are a bit more open, you might want to check out our sister site, Sweetn. Their researched-backed tips, tricks, and advice are game-changers for your love life.)

4. He Overthinks Everything.

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He overanalyzes every text message and interaction. Who doesn’t, right? However, he’ll reveal his lack of dating experience by telling you about it. At first, this could be cute, but it might become annoying after a while. You don’t need to be on the inside of his brain all the time. That’s definitely not attractive.

5.  He Chooses Group Dates.

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If one-on-one dates make him feel nervous and insecure, he might always suggest you hang out in a group setting. That way, he can be around his trustworthy friends who are holding his hand through the trauma of dating. Would be cool if he could stand on his own two feet.

6. He Has Unrealistic Expectations.

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Someone who has never been in a serious relationship might have ideals about relationships and love that are unrealistic. This is because they’ve never explored the practical side of serious dating and what it’s like. The more people they date seriously, the more they’ll realize that real life is a little more complex and nuanced.

7. Flirting With Him Feels Uncomfortable.

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When you try to flirt with the guy, he doesn’t really seem to catch the cues. This can be frustrating and awkward. Or, he might have weird flirting techniques that fall flat, which can indicate he hasn’t refined his flirting skills over time.

8. He Keeps The Relationship Online For Longer.

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A guy with minimal relationship experience might resort to online communication instead of real-life interaction, perhaps because he feels safer chatting to women from behind a screen. He might even delay meeting in person because it’s too scary for him. Sadly for him, you don’t have time to wait around.

9. He’s Way Too Eager To Please.

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A lack of experience can show up in a guy who goes out of his way to impress and please you. He could be doing a lot to try to overcompensate for not knowing how to win a woman’s heart. It’s actually pretty sad — he only needs to be himself to win you over!

10. He’s Scared Of Rejection.

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It’s common to fear rejection more if you haven’t dated a lot and gained confidence from making relationship mistakes. This could cause the guy to struggle to express himself and that he’s interested in you. He might even try to avoid making the first move because he’s terrified that he’ll get turned down.

11. He Doesn’t Know What He Wants.

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If he hasn’t been in a serious relationship, he might not know what exactly he’s looking for when it comes to a relationship. He might think he knows, but only on a superficial level. Talking about relationship goals can help to uncover this.

12. He Waits For You To Take The Lead.

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When he lets you take the lead and steer where the relationship goes, it could be because he doesn’t know what he’s doing! He’s coasting along, going along with what you want because he’s not sure of what to do. If you’re a more domineering personality, this might be exciting, but believe me, it’ll get old after a while.

13. He’s Desperate For Commitment.

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Although he might struggle to make things official, he could also do the opposite and try to race through dating milestones. He might want to become a committed, exclusive couple after two dates or call you his girlfriend right away. He wants to commit and doesn’t think to pace himself.

14. His Apartment Looks Like A Dorm Room.

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When he invites you to his place, it looks straight out of a tornado movie. If he’s still living like a student in a dorm even though he’s older and living alone, it’s a sign he’s in a bachelor state of mind. For example, he’s not thinking in terms of cleaning up before you visit as a way to impress you, as a guy with relationship experience would.

15. He’s Behaving Awkwardly.

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Being around you might throw him off, causing him to behave kind of weirdly. He might blush a lot, bump into things, or stumble over his words. He might also avoid eye contact because it makes him feel too self-conscious.

16. He Makes Dating Mistakes.

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He might be wishing he had a dating manual, and it shows. He makes several dating mistakes when you’re getting to know each other, like asking you if you want kids on the first date or drinking a lot to muster up some confidence.

17. He’s Always Available.

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After seeing you, he’s quick to invite you out again or he replies to your texts within seconds of receiving them. He’s interested in you, sure, but he’s also a bit too available. He doesn’t have experience with the dating slow burn, and it can be a bit too much.

18. He Doesn’t Understand You.
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You might flirt with him, suggesting you kiss at the end of the date, and he totally misses it. Or, he’s confused when you ask him about his dating goals. You have to speak to him clearly and directly to make him understand what you’re trying to say. Sometimes it feels like you’re speaking different languages!

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Giulia Simolo is a writer from Johannesburg, South Africa with a degree in English Language and Literature. She has been working as a journalist for more than a decade, writing for sites including AskMen, Native Interiors, and Live Eco. You can find out more about her on Facebook and LinkedIn, or follow her on Twitter @GiuliaSimolo.