How to Tell If Someone Likes You: Decoding Signs and Signals

Crack the code to discover subtle cues and not-so-subtle signs that reveal if someone likes you. From signs to actions, this someone may drop several hints.

Aastha Pahadia
Written by Aastha Pahadia , Certified Relationship Coach
Updated on Feb 09, 2024 | 05:47 PM IST | 809.5K
How to Tell If Someone Likes You
How to Tell If Someone Likes You

 

From shy glances to nervous giggles, deciphering someone's romantic interest can feel like solving a puzzle. How do you know whether it's just a friendly gesture or a more romantic signal since distinguishing between the two can sometimes get pretty challenging? But fear not, we're here to help you crack the code of how to tell if someone likes you! We'll explore the fascinating world of attraction in this post and give some amusing and intriguing tips to find out if someone is crushing on you. We'll tell you exactly which signals could mean a little something more so that you know exactly how to differentiate between simple day-to-day interactions and romantic hints! From body language cues to verbal hints, we'll reveal the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs that could mean someone has a soft spot for you!

How to Tell If Someone Likes You: 31 Ways

Below we'll explore 31 potential ways to tell if someone has a romantic interest in you, ranging from subtle to more obvious cues, to help you decipher those signals in various settings.

Signs That Someone Is Attracted to You: If It's a Classmate

Signs That Someone Is Attracted to You: If It's a Classmate

1. You Catch Them Making Eye Contact: One of the most significant indicators of interest is eye contact. If you often catch your classmate staring at you or maintaining eye contact for really long and constant periods, it could be a sign that they have feelings for you and are trying to make their interest known by glancing over. Eye contact is a non-verbal way of expressing attraction and could be their way of dropping hints!

2. You Notice Nervous Body Language: It's very common and adorable to get all giddy and nervous around your crush, especially when you're in college and experiencing that young love! If you think someone likes you, watch for changes in their body language and their behaviors while they are with you. When interacting with you, if they become fidgety, blush, stutter, or exhibit other nervous behaviors, it can be a sign that they have romantic feelings. This could be a sign that you make them feel shy or anxious in a good way.

Advertisement

3. They Suddenly Begin to Participate in the Same Extra-curricular Activities: People usually do find ways to spend time with their crush! If your classmate starts showing up to the same extra-curricular activities you are involved in, it could be a sign that they are trying to spend more time with you. If they start participating in certain activities that they weren't earlier interested in, after knowing your participation and interest in the same, it could be a sign that they're trying to connect. This could be a deliberate attempt to get closer to you and also to prove that you'll share common interests!

4. They Try to Bond with Your Friend-group: Acceptance from their friends is the ultimate stamp of approval when you like someone! If your classmate actively seeks to spend time with your friends or tries to be included in your social circle, it could be a sign that they are making efforts to bond with your friends. Especially if they go out of their way to help out your friends or make efforts to prioritize them. This could be an indication that they want to get to know your friends in order to get closer to you and be a part of your life!

5. They Always Offer Homework Help: If your classmate consistently offers to help you with your homework or offers to study together, it could be a sign that they are going out of their way to help you. This could be their way of letting you know that they are willing to invest time and effort to be helpful and supportive, which may be a reflection of their feelings towards you.

6. They Always Require Homework Help: On the flip side, if your classmate frequently asks for your help with their homework or assignments, it could be a sign that they are trying to create opportunities to spend time with you! If they find excuses to pair up on homework or study together, it could be a way of them trying to bring you closer! Especially if they are pretty great at their work and studies and don't usually need help, but they still go out of their way to ask you their doubts, this could indicate that it's probably just an excuse to start up a conversation! This could also indicate that they value your opinion and expertise, and seek your attention and approval.

Advertisement

7. They Want to Pair up for Projects: As mentioned in the above point, if your classmate frequently suggests partnering up with you for group projects or assignments, it could be a sign that they are interested in collaborating with you! This could be a way for them to spend more time with you and get to know you better outside of the classroom setting! Moreover, it could also be a way of them letting you know that they're confident in your skills and are willing to work together on serious stuff.

8. They Find Reasons to Make Conversation: If your classmate consistently finds reasons to strike up a conversation with you, even if it's about trivial matters, it could be a sign that they are trying to establish a connection with you and strike up some conversation! This could indicate that they enjoy talking to you, want to engage in meaningful exchanges, and want to build a rapport and get closer to you.

9. He Remembers the Little Things: He Pays Attention to the Small Details: If a classmate remembers your favorite novel or movie or inquires about your interests and hobbies, it may be a sign that they are interested in getting to know you better on a personal level. Even if it's not a romantic approach, this probably indicates that they care about you and want to demonstrate that they care about you and want to demonstrate that they are aware of your likes and dislikes.

10. He Wants to Hang Out Outside of Campus: This one should go without saying, but if your classmate offers to hang out with you outside of class or frequently invites you to events or get-togethers, it may be a hint that they are eager to get to know you better in a more laid-back environment. This could indicate that they want to get to know you, and be a casual way of suggesting a date! However, it's sometimes easy to mistake a casual invitation for the person asking you out on a date. So when it reaches this stage, it's probably best to clarify the person’s intentions if you have an inkling that they like you!

Signs That Someone Likes You: If It's a Colleague

Signs That Someone Likes You: If It's a Colleague

Advertisement

1. They Make an Effort to Talk to You: If your coworker makes an effort to talk to you, even on subjects unrelated to work, it may be an indication that they want to get to know you better personally. If they ask questions that are mostly self-explanatory or don't require much debate even when they do bring up work-related subjects, it may be an indication that they value your opinion and are interested in hearing it. Whether it's striking up a chat during lunch breaks or initiating small talk in the hallway, their efforts to connect could be an indication of their feelings!

2. They Ask Questions Outside of Work Topics: If your colleague constantly asks you questions about your hobbies, interests, or personal life, it could signal their desire to know you on a deeper level. Inquiring about your weekend plans, favorite movies, or upcoming vacations shows that they are interested in your life beyond the office and are making an effort to get to know you. 

3. They Offer to Help with Work Constantly: No one likes going the extra mile for someone unless they're truly special and if your colleague willingly takes on additional tasks or responsibilities to help you out or lighten your workload, it could be a clear indication that they're making an effort to impress you! Once in a while helpfulness is just being nice, but if your colleague consistently offers to assist you with your workload, it could be a sign that they are trying to impress you or show their support! No one enjoys spending their after-hours taking on the extra workload, so if someone volunteers to do that constantly, it's usually a sign that they're too good of a friend or romantically interested! Whether it's offering to help with a project, covering for you when you're absent, or volunteering to take on additional tasks, their eagerness to lend a hand may indicate their interest in you.

4. They Prefer Being on Your Team: Working with someone you like, makes you feel like you're part of the dream team! And if your colleague makes an effort to work with you or requests to be on the same team for projects or assignments consistently, it could be a sign that they enjoy your company and value your collaboration. It usually means that they believe in your skill set and talent and would prefer collaborating rather than competing! Moreover, if they constantly choose to work with you over other colleagues, indicating that they like being around you and appreciate your contribution to their work in comparison to others.

Advertisement

5. They Reschedule Everything to Make Time for You: No meeting is too important, and no work call is that much of a priority when you're around! If a colleague thinks the same way and actively finds ways to be free when you're around, it could suggest that they want to get to know you more and value your time! When someone likes you, you will notice them making time for you, whether it's shifting around meetings so that your lunch timings coincide or waiting to take that tea break until you're free!

6. They're Your Biggest Cheerleader: If your colleague constantly praises and compliments your work, accomplishments, and achievements, it could indicate that they are invested in your success! Especially, if they go out of their way to acknowledge your contributions in team meetings, share positive feedback with your boss, or publicly express admiration for your work, it could be a sign that they genuinely admire your skills or maybe have a certain fondness as well that makes your achievements stand out specifically!

7. They Often Ask for Your Advice: If your colleague frequently seeks your input or advice with work-related matters or otherwise, it could be a sign that they value your opinion and expertise. Their reliance on your input may indicate that they trust and respect your judgment, and value your opinion. Moreover, if they ask for advice to do with their personal matters it could be a sign that you're special in some way.

8. They Show Concern in Your Personal Life: Work relations usually revolve around work conversation and work discussions, and if your colleague diverts from these topics often and shows interest in your personal life and knowing you outside of work, it's usually one of the tell-tale signs of someone being attracted to you. Especially if they ask questions regarding your love life and relationships, that's usually a sure-shot way of knowing that they're interested in knowing your relationship status! Moreover, if they ask questions to do with more personal topics such as your friends, family, or even your personal problems- it's definitely them trying to start a friendship, and maybe even something more! 

9. Your Colleagues Feel It: Often you may be confused when someone's dropping signs, and interpret it as you just overthinking things but if your colleagues feel it too, something's definitely up! If your co-workers tease you two together or crack jokes about the two of you, it's often a sign that they can feel the chemistry or simply see through the moves the other person is making! While it might not always be clear to you, those around you can usually detect it right away! Another possibility is that they paired you two because they confessed to a coworker about their romantic sentiments. Therefore, there may be a strong possibility that something is off if you can't notice it but others can.

Advertisement

10. They Want to Connect Outside of Work: If your colleague expresses a desire to hang out or connect outside of work, it is usually a clear indicator of their interest in you! Whether it's inviting you to social events, suggesting an after-work happy hour, or initiating plans to grab dinner or catch a movie, their efforts to spend time with you beyond the office may suggest they want something more. However, as mentioned earlier, it's best to clarify all feelings at this stage, especially since you'll work at the same place and wouldn't want things to get awkward! Also if you do have reciprocal feelings for the same, it's best to inform the company HR and keep them in a loop, to ensure professionalism is maintained!

Signs Someone Likes You Romantically: If It’s Someone at a Party:

Signs Someone Likes You Romantically: If It?s Someone at a Party

1. They Keep Glancing Over at You: If you notice someone at a party frequently glancing over at you, it could be a sign that they are interested in you and are trying to check for a moment to approach you. It could mean they are trying to catch your eye or see if you are paying attention to them.

2. There Are Unusual Amounts of Eye Contact: As previously mentioned, eye contact is a potent non-verbal communication tool. At a party, someone who is maintaining extended and strong eye contact with you may be showing interest in you, finding you attractive, and wanting to pursue a relationship. Since it shows that they are actively participating in the conversation and want to learn more about you, they are also seeking to communicate to you that they are totally focused on you.

3. They Come Over to Make Conversation: If someone takes the effort to come over to you and strike up a conversation, it's a clear indication that they are interested in getting to know you better! If they come over specially to you, it probably means that you've caught their eye and they find you attractive! They may go out of their way to join you in a conversation or try to find common interests to connect with you so that you'll hit it off.

4. They Talk Directly to You When in a Group: When you are in a group setting and someone is consistently addressing you directly or seeking your opinion, it could be a sign that they are interested. It shows they value your input and want to engage with you personally, even when you're in a group setting!

Advertisement

5. They Try to Initiate Conversation: If someone is making an effort to initiate a conversation with you and keep the conversation going, it's an obvious sign that they want to get to know you better. Especially if they ask thoughtful questions, and follow up on the answers, you can instantly tell that they're interested in the conversation and looking forward to pursuing something with you!

6. They Tell You Things about Themselves: When someone is genuinely interested in you, they will probably assume that you're interested in them too, and naturally want to share stuff about their life. If they try to share more about their interests, their personal life, and even their feelings, it's one of the signs someone likes you! It may also be their attempt at trying to find common ground and start a conversation based on similar interests.

7. They Offer to Get You a Drink/Snack: This is also a pretty well-known technique when it comes to people who party often, as when someone offers to buy you a drink- it's usually their way of making a move. Otherwise as well, if someone is going out of their way to offer to get you a drink or snacks at a party, it's a subtle sign that they are trying to make a thoughtful gesture and indicate their interest in you.

8. They Compliment You: This sounds pretty direct, but if not an expert at reading signals, we're here to let you know. Compliments are often a way to express interest and admiration. If someone at a party is giving you genuine compliments about your appearance, personality, or achievements, it could be a sign that they like you and honestly mean those things.

9. They Ask About Your Upcoming Plans: If someone is inquiring about your upcoming plans or showing interest in your schedule, it could be a sign that they want to spend more time with you in the future and are just trying to know how you are placed! Especially if they try to mention upcoming events, and ask about your opinion on the same, they may be considering inviting you and asking you to accompany them! Asking about your plans is usually a way to gauge your availability to make plans to see you again.

Advertisement

10. Body Language: Body language when someone likes you is definitely more different and will indicate their interest in you. If they are confident, body language may include facing towards you, mirroring your movements, leaning in, or touching you casually, and this could be an indication of their attraction! However, if they are more nervous when they talk to you, share nervous glances or eye contact, or are blushing or constantly looking away, it can be a sign that they are fond of you and so are feeling a little giddy! So keep an eye out for any potential signs, or variations from their initial body language as that's a dead giveaway of how they're feeling!

Advertisement

11. They Ask For Your Socials/Contact Info: As obvious as this sounds, if someone asks for your social media handles or contact information, it's a clear indication that they want to stay connected beyond the party! If you two enjoyed the time you all spent together, had good conversations, and possibly even shared some romantic moments, the other person may want to stay in touch and pursue something further! Asking for someone's socials is usually a clear sign that they want to keep in touch and take the relationship further. However, keep in mind that you should be upfront about whether you're currently looking for something or just want to be friends. 

In conclusion, how to tell if someone likes you can be difficult but paying close attention to a person's actions, verbal clues, and body language can give you a good sense of how they feel. Remember to look for a combination of signs and actions, rather than relying on just one, as everyone expresses their feelings differently. From the classic hair flips and lingering gazes to the subtle touch or playful tease, there are so many different ways that someone may be showing their interest in you. 

However, it's crucial to keep an open mind and avoid drawing unwarranted conclusions from these observations. In the end, speaking openly and honestly is the only way to find out for sure. So, take these tips, keep your eyes peeled for those telltale signs, and remember the best way to clear any doubts is to just ask!

ALSO READ: 10 Obvious signs he likes you more than just a friend

FAQs

How do you know if someone likes you secretly without talking?
Figuring out how to tell if someone likes you, secretly without talking can be tricky, but there are some signs to watch for. They might make a lot of eye contact, look at you for longer than usual, lean towards you or face you, accidentally touch or brush against you, have dilated pupils, blush, or fidget nervously. If they go out of their way to be near you or try to get your attention, that could also mean they're interested. Bear in mind, though, that nonverbal clues can be subjective and not necessarily reliable. It's best to communicate and have open dialogue to truly understand what someone's intentions are.

How do you tell if he likes you more than a friend?
It's not easy to know if someone likes you as more than a friend; however, there are some signs you can keep an eye out for If he treats you differently than other friends, like giving you special attention, making an effort to spend time with you, or showing physical touches like hugs or gentle touches, it could be a sign of romantic interest. Additionally, if he compliments you, remembers details about you, or shows a genuine interest in your life, it may indicate that he likes you beyond just friendship. However, it's best to communicate directly and have an open conversation to clarify his feelings.

Pinkvilla Pulse
Subscribe to our newsletter for entertainment exclusives, star interviews, and the latest lifestyle trends. Look No Further!
Subscribe
About The Author
Aastha Pahadia
Aastha Pahadia
Certified Relationship Coach

Aastha is a certified Relationship coach and she strives to help those who seek expert advice on relationships.

...

Advertisement

Latest Articles