So, you have a male friend or a coworker you really like a lot. Your chemistry is off the charts. You make each other laugh, have tons in common, and are together pretty much 24/7. The issue is, you’re super into him and despite him acting like he’s into you, he hasn’t actually done anything about it. Here’s how to make a guy admit he likes you.
Why wouldn’t he just say how he feels?
If the idea of having to force his feelings out of him doesn’t sit well with you, that’s fair. After all, if he liked you, he would just say it, right? In theory, yes. In actuality, that’s not always the case. There are a number of reasons he might be keeping his cards close to his chest. Maybe he’s ridiculously shy or afraid of rejection. Maybe he just got out of a relationship and is still working through the aftermath. Hell, maybe he’s even in a relationship currently (hopefully not!).
All that to say, it’s not always as simple as opening up and spilling your guts to your crush. Men have reservations and insecurities just like women do, so it’s unfair to assume that he should just spit it out. It’d be great if he did, of course. But, sometimes life (and love) just doesn’t work that way.
How to make a guy admit he likes you
- Build trust with him. If you’re pretty sure he likes you but he’s not doing anything about it, start here. You want him to feel safe enough to be honest about his feelings, and that takes trust. Building trust with someone isn’t immediate. It’s a process that takes time, and how much time depends on the person and circumstance. If he knows he can trust you to listen to him and not judge him, that might mean he’s more likely to admit he likes you.
- Throw some compliments his way. Men love receiving compliments just as much as women do. If you think he looks great in a new shirt he’s wearing, tell him. If he makes you laugh or you’re impressed by how intelligent he is, let him know. This will not only stroke his ego and give him a confidence boost, but it might get the cogs turning in his head about you.
- Give him time to open up to you. If you want to make a guy admit he likes you, this is key. If you just started chatting a couple of weeks ago but you’re impatient for him to make a major declaration of love, slow down. Not everyone moves at warp speed. Plus, if you want him to be interested in you for who you are as a person rather than just looking for sex, taking your time is probably better.
- Make it clear that you’re single and open. Maybe one of the reasons he’s holding back is that he doesn’t know your relationship status. If you’re single and ready to mingle, let him know! While you might not want to be as obvious as saying that outright, find ways to convey your openness. Throwing in a comment (where warranted) about rolling solo or the dating scene is a good way to make this happen.
- Don’t put pressure on him. Your ultimate goal is to get him to admit that he’s into you. That’s fine, but he won’t like you for very long if he feels forced. Instead of pushing him to open up and get the ball rolling, take a step back. Don’t crowd him or become clingy or overbearing. You may end up pushing him further away.
- Let him know you’re into him. While this may not be ideal, it is a viable way to make a guy admit he likes you. Being brave enough to make the first move paints you in a great light. You look confident, powerful, and sexy. If he’s feeling the same, your admission just might give him the extra nudge towards telling you that.
- Ask him outright if he likes you. It’s simple but effective. If you want to know, ask.
Things to consider first
- If he was that into you, he’d do something about it. As mentioned above, it’s possible that he hasn’t made a move because he’s shy or has other reservations. However, if he really felt strongly enough, he’d find a way forward, right? That shouldn’t put you off from expressing your own feelings, of course. But, you might always wonder in the back of your mind if you forced something that wasn’t strong enough.
- You could be setting a bad precedent. Making the first move and giving him a boot up the backside to start your relationship could come back to bite you. Depending on the guy, he might get used to you doing everything: getting in contact, planning dates, and carrying the relationship. It’s not a guarantee that this will happen, but it’s worth thinking about.
- Other guys would be more forthcoming. There are guys out there who are confident enough in themselves and their feelings to pursue you outright. That doesn’t necessarily make them more worth your time. However, if you are looking for someone a bit more self-assured and ballsy, maybe this guy isn’t for you.
