You like a guy, but he’s really shy. When he’s near you, it seems like he doesn’t even see you. He’s too focused on trying not to make eye contact because he’s nervous.
It’s tough to figure out what he’s thinking because you can’t rely on the usual clues that show someone is interested in you. He behaves differently.
Understanding if someone likes you can be tricky, especially if that person is shy or gets nervous easily.
However, it’s not impossible!
Actually, sometimes it’s easier to notice the signs that a shy guy is into you than to pick up on the cues from someone who’s more outgoing.
In this article, we’re going to share 14 signs he has strong feelings for you but is scared.
But first…
How to Tell if Someone is Nervous around You?
Do you ever wonder if he’s really feeling anxious when you’re nearby? Well, there are some clear signs that can show he’s nervous.
Think about whether he does any of these things when you’re around:
- He can’t stop moving or fidgeting.
- He doesn’t look you in the eye, and he might even turn red when he sees you.
- He laughs at everything you say. You might think you’re just that funny, but sometimes, when people are nervous, they laugh a lot.
- He agrees with everything you say because he’s trying to make a good impression. It’s something people do when they’re nervous.
If you notice someone is nervous around you, whether it’s a guy or a girl, the best thing to do is to be kind to them. Being kind can make them feel more at ease and comfortable with you.
Why Does He Seem Nervous around You?
There are a bunch of reasons a guy might seem uneasy when you’re around, and it can be pretty confusing.
You might see him having a blast with his buddies, all laughs and jokes, but the moment you try to chat with him, he clams up.
For some guys, it’s just how they are.
They get nervous around women, whether they have a crush on you or not.
Try to notice how he acts around other women.
Is he just as jittery? If so, it’s probably just his nature.
However, another reason he could be shy around you is that he has feelings for you. He’s thinking about making a move but needs to find the courage.
Again, check out how he is with other women.
If he’s only nervous around you, you might be the reason.
There’s also a chance he’s worried about giving you the wrong idea. He might sense that you like him, but if he doesn’t feel the same way, he could be acting nervous on purpose, hoping not to lead you on.
Maybe he’s someone you work with, like your boss or a colleague, and he likes you but knows nothing can happen.
So, how do you figure out if this nervous guy actually likes you, or if he’s just nervous for another reason?
Signs He Has Strong Feelings for You But Is Scared
1. You Have a Feeling about It
Listening to your intuition is really important, especially in situations like these.
When dealing with a shy, nervous guy, sometimes the best way to figure out if he’s interested in you is to trust your gut feeling.
Your intuition can help you understand if you think he likes you, if he’s just a naturally anxious person, or if he’s trying to keep his distance so he doesn’t accidentally lead you on.
If you’re not sure what your gut is telling you, look for other signs first and then think about it again. You might have a clearer idea afterward.
Read: 10 Signs He Might Not Be Mr. Right (He’s a Hoe)
2. He Looks at You When He Thinks You’re Not Watching
Have you ever noticed him staring at you when you suddenly look his way? And when you do catch him, does he quickly look away and not make eye contact?
Him looking away doesn’t mean he’s not interested.
Actually, it’s probably just the opposite.
He probably likes you and feels embarrassed that you caught him watching you from afar.
If you’re open to the idea of starting something with him, then the next time you catch him staring, give him a smile, or even go over and start a chat. Sometimes, a shy guy just needs a little nudge to express how he really feels.
3. He Lights Up when You Enter the Room
It’s like a scene from a fairy tale.
Imagine a princess entering a grand ball, and Prince Charming can’t help but smile at her stunning appearance.
Well, life might not be exactly like a fairy tale, but some signs are pretty similar.
When you go out with friends, does he glance up and flash a smile your way as soon as you enter? He might look away quickly when your eyes meet, but if you’re quick, you might just catch that moment.
He’s really into you and finds it hard to keep his feelings under wraps.
4. He’s a Good Listener
It’s often said that a shy, nervous guy is a great listener. They usually prefer listening to you rather than being the center of attention.
But, it’s key to notice how they listen.
Does he:
- Hang on to every word you say and chime in at just the right moments?
- Look away into the distance while you talk, seeming to not really listen?
If it’s the first option, he probably has a thing for you. If it’s the second, he might be relieved you’re doing the talking but isn’t really engaged with you or what you’re saying.
5. His Body Language Gives It Away
Even if a guy feels nervous, his body language can tell you everything.
There are lots of ways to interpret his body language. Here are some things to watch for:
- Posture: Does he lean closer to you when he talks? That’s a sign he’s into you! But if he leans away and seems distant, it’s not a good sign.
- Touch: A nervous guy might not touch you much, but watch for subtle gestures. Does he reach out for you and then pull back? Or maybe he lightly touches your hand while talking? These are hints that he likes you.
- Smile: As mentioned before, a smile says a lot. It doesn’t just have to be when you enter a room. He might smile every time you speak or look at him. If you’re making him smile like this, it’s because he likes you.
And here’s the science behind it: Did you know that people who are starting to fall in love have higher levels of oxytocin? It’s a chemical that helps with bonding. And it can affect the way we act and move, including our body language.
6. He’s Infatuated with You
A clear sign he’s into you is when he acts like he’s totally smitten.
Even if he’s nervous, he can’t help but look at you with love and admiration. He’s really drawn to you, and he can’t hide it.
Ever wondered why some guys get infatuated with certain girls but not others?
Well, the truth is, guys don’t pick girls based on logic. You can’t make a guy like you just by meeting all the “perfect girl” criteria.
Instead, guys develop strong feelings for girls who make them feel intense emotions and attraction.
The good news is, it’s not hard to be that kind of girl.
Guys, even nervous ones, aren’t that complicated. You just need to say the right things to trigger his infatuation with you.
7. He Notices Small Details
Even if he’s feeling nervous and doesn’t share much with you, pay attention to the little things he does.
For instance, does he hand you a napkin while you’re eating?
Does he always remember to ask for your drink order when getting another round?
When you’re alone, does he check in to see how you’re doing?
Think about your past interactions. Was he thoughtful and considerate of your feelings?
These small actions matter. They show how much he cares, even if he’s too shy to say it.
8. He’s Awkward When You’re Around
The nervous guy often ends up being the clumsy one.
His nerves make him stumble or spill things. It’s probably because he really likes you. And when he’s super nervous, his clumsy side comes out.
You can help him out. Give him a friendly smile, or go talk to him. This might calm his nerves and stop the clumsiness.
It can actually be kinda cute to see him get nervous around you. You just don’t want him to feel too overwhelmed, or he might think he doesn’t stand a chance.
9. Your Friends Become His Friends
When a guy feels too nervous to be around you, he might start hanging out with your friends instead. It’s easier for him to chat with people who are important to you rather than talking to you directly. He’ll try to get close to them because he wants to be close to you.
He’s probably hoping they’ll speak highly of him.
Or maybe he thinks you’ll see him differently when he’s around your friends.
If you notice this guy getting buddy-buddy with your pals, there might be more to it. He’s probably into you and just trying to catch your attention.
10. He’s Curious
Even shy and nervous guys eventually gather the courage to ask you questions.
Notice what kind of questions he asks.
- Does he keep it casual with open-ended questions?
- Or does he ask more personal questions, like about your family or childhood?
The more personal his questions, the more interested he is. He wants to learn everything about you and get to know you really well.
It’s because he likes you.
11. He Talks on Social Media
For some guys who feel too nervous to talk to you face-to-face, social media is a great way to connect.
Behind a screen, he might feel more comfortable being himself, so he’s more likely to reach out and talk.
The internet makes him feel safe, which helps him relax.
Does he message you or interact with you on social media?
What kind of things does he ask?
If you notice he doesn’t talk to you much in person but is quick to chat online, it’s probably because he likes you. He’s just too nervous to talk to you in person.
12. He ‘Likes’ a Lot
Maybe this guy is too shy even to chat online?
It’s okay, it happens. His nerves might get the best of him.
Instead of messaging you, he might show he likes you by liking all your posts.
He wants you to know he notices you and what you do, even if he’s too nervous to talk.
Welcome to dating in the digital age. With screens, there are more ways for guys to show they’re interested.
Gone are the days of calling your landline and talking to your dad for permission! Thank goodness, because if this guy’s already nervous around you, he wouldn’t be making that call.
13. His Friends Tease Him
Just because he’s too shy to tell you how he feels, doesn’t mean his friends won’t spill the beans.
That’s what friends are for, right? They can sense when their buddy likes someone. They notice his body language quicker than you do.
His friends might tease him on purpose so you can hear. It might feel awkward at first, for both of you, but it could be a good way to break the ice.
Have you noticed his friends teasing him about you?
Next time it happens, go along with it!
14. He Follows You Everywhere
Not in a creepy way – but it seems like he shows up at all the places you go.
It might just be by chance, especially if you both hang out with the same group of friends.
But it could mean something more. He might be looking for reasons to be near you as much as he can.
Do his friends also show up to the same events? Or is it just him and maybe a friend or two? If it’s just him, it’s a sign he’s trying to be around you on purpose – not just by accident.
It’s because he likes you and wants to be close to you.
4 Ways to Help Him
If you’ve gone through the tips and found out that he really does like you, you might be thinking about how you can help him and make this relationship grow.
A shy, nervous guy won’t suddenly overcome his shyness and start flirting with you overnight. It’s something you both need to work on together.
You can start by giving him a hand and letting him know that you like him too.
Here are 4 things you can do to make the relationship progress:
1. Take the Initiative to Talk to Him
He might not feel confident enough to approach you when you’re out and about, so why not approach him instead? Start a conversation and keep it light and friendly. It’ll help him relax and keep the conversation going.
2. Smile at Him
A simple smile can make a big difference.
When you notice him looking your way, just smile back.
He’s looking for any sign that you might like him too, and a smile can show just that. If he’s clumsy around you next time, give him another smile. He definitely doesn’t want you to laugh at him.
It’s all about giving him support and letting him know you’re open when he’s ready to make his move.
3. Don’t Try to Change Him
Before you start a relationship, it’s important to know who he really is and what his personality is like. Trying to change him later on isn’t fair to either of you.
It’ll make him feel insecure and could affect your relationship.
If you’re not into shy, nervous guys, it’s better to avoid starting the relationship at all.
4. Be Patient
Dealing with nervous guys can take some time.
Even if you’re showing him that you’re interested and giving him all the right signals, he might not be ready to make a move.
It can be annoying, we understand!
But you need to be patient. Shy guys need time to overcome their nerves.
You might want to ask him out yourself, but that could scare him off and make him feel overwhelmed. Sometimes, it’s better to just wait.
Wrapping Up
Now is a good time to revisit that first sign and think about what your gut is telling you. Do you think he likes you? And if you do, do you like him back?
If you do, you might be wondering what you can do about it. When he’s so nervous, it might feel like a big challenge to get him to like you a lot.
But you’ve got what it takes to make it work.
Believe in yourself and use the tips above to help you along the way!
