As a guy, I feel like I can say this: most men just aren’t that smart. This is particularly true when it comes to understanding women. Case in point, all the little hints you ladies like to drop to indicate you want us guys to make a move or approach a situation a certain way. If you’ve found a guy that can pick up on such clues, kudos to you. For the rest of you, here are some of the hints that you ladies like to drop that we’re just not going to pick up all the time.
- The look away This is a classic technique you use to get a guy to look at you but then play it off in a nonchalant way. For a lot of us, this move is a little counterintuitive. We just don’t understand why you look away. Either we’re making eye contact for a split second by accident or you’re playing a game of hard to get. If you just maintain eye contact a little longer, we should get the message and come to talk to you.
- Taking a “break” If by “break” you really mean that you don’t want to see a guy ever again, you should really make that clear. A lot of us will take you at your word and think that after a break, we should start calling you again. Be blunt with us about breaking up even if it hurts our feelings. We’ll both be better off in the long run.
- Flirtatious touch Women think a flirtatious touch or two is enough of a signal, but for most guys, it’s not. A playful tap that occurs while you’re laughing at something could be just that. It could be subconscious or accidental for all we know. In any event, it’s not enough for most of us to dive in with confidence. The only thing I can say is that if it doesn’t work, try again. Maybe after seven or eight flirtatious touches, we’ll get the message.
- Telling us you’re just “hanging out at home” This hint is beyond subtle for most guys to pick up. Most of us just aren’t in tune enough to note that in the middle of the conversation you mention being home alone tonight as a clue to ask you to do something. Maybe you’re just making conversation or maybe you’re happy chilling at home. If you want us to pick up on the fact that you’re bored and want us to ask you to do something, be prepared to wait. Just come out and ask us if we want to do something; it’s not that hard.
- Being sassy to show you like us Some women think that being sassy and busting our balls is a method of flirting. Look, if it works for you, keep at it, but it’s not always the best method. It could come off as a little mean, which is an obvious turn-off. Sometimes it also feels like you’re trying to be like a friend or sisterly figure. If you really like a guy, turn down the sass a little and turn up the sweetness until he figures out that you like him.
- Playing with your hair This is one of the oldest tricks in the book. Even most women note that women tend to play with their hair when they’re fixated on a guy they like. The problem is we don’t always notice that you’re doing it. We also don’t always jump to the conclusion it’s because of us. Maybe you’re bored or maybe you just like playing with your hair. You have to try another tactic because most men just aren’t picking up on the hair twirling that fast.
- Smiling and laughing Women assume that by laughing at everything a guy says and smiling a lot that he’ll figure out that you like him and make a move. However, a lot of us live under the assumption that we’re funny, so laughing isn’t enough of a sign. Also, smiles are a common facial expression. You may think you’re dropping obvious hints, but it’s just not getting through to most guys.
- Mentioning you’re single I don’t know why women think that telling a guy you’re single will be enough for him to make a move. You could be just making conversation. Believe me, most guys have been spurned in the past by women who mentioned they were single but so not interested. Not being in a relationship just isn’t enough of an invitation to do something, even if we’re able to pick up on the hint.
- Lingering Look, most guys aren’t taking notes on who happens to be in our vicinity at any given moment. If you want to strike up a conversation, you’ll have to hover or create an “accidental” bump-in. Those methods have risks as you could come off a little crazy and clingy, but it’s probably better than waiting for a guy to pick up on your lingering.
- Mentioning things you like This is no doubt frustrating for women. You go through all the trouble of mentioning movies you want to see, restaurants you like, and new hot spots you want to check out, and we men do nothing. Again, perhaps you’re just making conversation rather than trying to entrap us into asking you out to one of the aforementioned movies or restaurants. If you want to go out to dinner and a movie with us, just make the first move and ask us. Believe me, it’s a lot less painful than dropping hints us guys will never pick up.
