Body language signs a shy guy likes you

However, before I reveal these behavioral cues, I want you to read the following sentences very carefully.

Women don’t have to sit and wait for the men they like to make a move.

It’s possible to be proactive about chasing the guys you like, without sticking your neck out there and potentially embarrassing yourself. 

Recently, I discovered a little-known aspect of male psychology, which can turn a man into putty once you learn how to activate it. 

It’s called ‘The Hero’s Instinct’ - and it is such a consistent method of triggering attraction in a man. 

This psychological tick is based on a man’s primal urge to be a strong respected leader. If you can make him feel this way by activating this powerful internal trigger inside him, it can release intense feelings of joy and meaning inside him.  

Naturally, he is drawn closer to a woman who can make him feel this way. 

If you want to learn more about how this little-known psychological ploy turned my love life around, click to read my personal story. 

Once you master this skill, you won’t have to worry about trying to figure out whether a man likes you or not. It’ll become abundantly clear.  

Still, if that’s what you’re trying to do at the moment, scroll down for my list of signs that a shy guy is attracted to you.

Shy guys can be one of the sweetest people when they like you. However, it can be a bit tricky to tell when they like-like you since they're quite introverted and prefer to keep to themselves. 

Unlike more outgoing, confident guys, shy guys don't make it obvious that they like you, you may have to do some extra research just to be sure. However, there are some subtle signs that may help you tell if you have a shy secret admirer. 

Some may be subtle but they're still noticeable. If you're tired of his mixed signals and you’d like to tell if a shy guy may like you, below are the most obvious signs to consider. 

1. He creates opportunities to be around you

Unlike more forward men, shy guys aren't able to walk up to you and strike up a conversation at any time. They have to create controlled and preplanned opportunities to meet you. You may realize that he 'randomly' shows up where you are and always seems to have things to do around you. 

Shy guys usually hang out in groups; they're around their friends a lot because they feel more secure with a support system. So, when he breaks out of the pack just to meet up with you, it’s one of the signs that he really likes you. It takes lots of courage for a shy person to go on a solo expedition. 

If you have a routine or a predictable schedule, expect to see him in places you carry out your most frequent activities. For example, if you hang out at the mall on Saturdays and study at a coffee shop on Sundays, he may try to get involved in activities around the mall and the coffee shop just so he can 'bump into you'. 

2. His body language says loads

He may not talk about his feelings but his body language will give him away. His actions don't only speak way louder than his words, then speak verses. 

The funny thing is that shy guys try to mask their interest in you; they think it makes them seem more cool, calm, and collected. Unfortunately for them, they try too hard and it shows in their body language. They try to look natural leaning against a wall or randomly passing by barely noticing you. He may even tip his drink trying to 'casually' sip his soda in a corner while trying to make you notice him. 

It's in awkward moments like these that you know a shy guy likes you. If he summons up the courage to make the first move, you will notice some subtle signs in his body language that he's totally into you. 

3. He listens very closely when you speak

When you talk with your shy secret admirer, watch how he listens. Truth be told, you won't need to strain to see how intensely he leans in, digesting every word you say and gathering his final thoughts. These guys have the listening skills of an experienced therapist and try to glean as much information as possible so they can use it to impress you.

Is it like pulling teeth getting him to spend time with you?
The key to solving is understanding men on a much deeper emotional level. The number #1 factor that causes men to behave this way is actually relatively easy to change with a few subtle things you can say to him.

Take this quick quiz to see if he actually likes you!

What they lack in conversational skills they make up for in their listening. They may not know how to keep the conversation flowing but they will listen to you with all their attention. 

It's even more noticeable in group settings where multiple people are trying to talk at the same time. A shy guy will keep his attention on you even though other people are talking at the same time. 

4. He gets nervous when he's around you

If a shy guy gets nervous around you, he probably really likes you. People tend to act a bit awkward when they like someone; all of a sudden you lose your coordination and overall demeanor. You may start to stutter or choke on your words even when you're making a simple sentence.

If this happens to people with a more healthy self-esteem, shy people are not an exception. Theirs can get as extreme as ever, they can seem completely paralyzed if they meet you unexpectedly or their face lights up immediately. 

5. He starts to act clumsily

If you notice strange things when he's around you like him falling over, spilling a beverage on himself, dropping his keys, or stuttering, that's just him being clumsy which is one of the top signs he likes you. It would be unusual for a random person to get fidgety the moment you come close to them. 

6. He can't help secretly glancing at you

Introverted guys dread confrontation, they will do anything to avoid it. That's why they prefer to steal glances when they think you aren't looking. They can't help admiring you when you're around, so not looking at you isn't an option for them. 

You will likely catch him staring at you from across the room on several occasions, yet he will look away quickly if you try to make eye contact or say hi. It's important to remember that not every shy man who stares at you has a crush on you, sometimes people may be lost and intensely stare in your direction. So try to note the frequency of these quick glances and not the intensity. 

So, it's quite simple; if he's caught stealing glances at you repetitively, it's one of the signs that a shy guy likes you. Strangely, most timid men may try to make eye contact with you just before they leave the room. This is ironic considering he's been trying to avoid getting caught the whole time he was in there. Even when he's with friends he will try to get that last-minute eye contact. 

7. He tries touching you lightly

It's normal for a person to wonder what their crush's skin feels like. Most people are able to rub the arm of their love interest while they talk, push the hair out of their face or place a hand on their shoulder. On the other hand, a shy guy may not be able to summon up the courage to do any of these. He'd probably get too shy to even make contact with your skin. 

So, what they do instead is what people know as preening. Much like how a bird preens their feathers, your shy crush will use the excuse of tidying you up, to touch you. For example, he'll pick lint out of your hair, smoothen your coat or jacket with his hands or brush a lash off your cheek. 

Doing little things like these is a sign that he likes you. Touching you without actually touching you is your shy crush's way of communicating these feelings to you.

8. He stammers when talking to you

When a shy guy finally summons up the courage to you, he will often stutter or struggle to make a point. This is because most of the things he says to you were premeditated. He probably went through the whole conversation in his head before he walked up to speak with you so he can be sure of the what-ifs. 

So, it's normal for him to sound like he's reciting a play and forgetting some words, or to sound like a broken tape. If you liked someone and you thought everything you could naturally say is boring to them, you would probably do the same. So, a shy guy will stutter a bit while talking to you because he has difficulties getting the words out. 

It's also common for them to completely forget what they had to say. You'd notice them blank out in the middle of a sentence and get fidgety or freeze. If he does this, it's a good sign that this guy likes you. 

Social media is one way your crush can connect with you from a safe distance and in a less intimidating way. Much like texting or chatting online, interacting with your photos is a satisfying way for your shy crush to reach you without worrying about his posture, the way he looks, or if his breath is fresh enough. 

So, another way you can easily tell if a shy guy likes you is if he has liked most or all of your photos on Instagram. He even scrolled all the way down to your photos from 3 years ago and liked them all. That way, you know he spends a good amount of time looking at your photos and watching all your stories on Instagram and WhatsApp. Anyone who's that invested in your way of life definitely likes you. 

Best believe while he's looking at your photos and watching your stories, he's also combed through your profile and perhaps checked out some of the pages you liked or followed. So if you'd like to test out this theory, whip out your camera and take your favorite poses, then watch. 

10. He seems to mirror you a bit

If it suddenly feels like talking to your shy admirer is just like looking in the mirror, then he probably likes you. We're not talking about weirdly copying all your movements and gestures while you talk to them, it's more like sitting or standing with the same posture as yours or adopting your vocabulary or accent. 

Try not to get annoyed or repelled by it, he isn't doing this on purpose. When you like someone, you slowly and subconsciously start to mimic their most outstanding characteristics. This is what experts call mirroring- a person has studied you to the point of unconsciously mimicking your speech patterns, gestures, and attitudes. 

Mirroring doesn't always mean that someone has a romantic attraction to you, they may just admire some things about you. However, if they're way too afraid to be rejected to admit they like you, that's a good sign that it's an actual crush. So if this shy guy in question seems to be mirroring you, he probably has a massive crush on you. 

11. Your presence makes him too shy to speak

If you notice that he clams up when you walk into the room, he probably likes you. If he's having loud, animated discussions with his close friends yet goes calm and quiet just when you walk in, he definitely likes you. The conversation can't coincidentally end the moment you walk in, every single time. 

He either does this because he's distracted and loses his train of thought- he's too busy watching you or he doesn't want you to hear his corny jokes; since his mind tells him you may think it's lame. He's bent on impressing you so his brain shuts down anything that doesn't seem impressive and he can't form his words. 

It's perfectly normal for this to happen to even the most confident people, talk less of a shy guy. No one wants to seem silly or unattractive to their crush, in the process of trying to seem cool, their brain shuts down. 

Timid men may not have the courage for huge romantic gestures but they will show you how they care about you with the little things. He will offer you gum, a beverage, or a snack at random moments, he will offer you his seat on a full bus or save a seat for you so you don't have to stand. He will also offer to give you a lift to your location even when you don't ask. 

In the mind of a shy guy, these gestures are the best way to show you he likes you; this is him making a move. He's feeling as vulnerable as ever and since he's an introvert, so it's basically equal to a big romantic gesture. 

So, if he steps in to help you whenever you need it, he probably likes you. Although it seems like the prince rushing to rescue his damsel in distress, he means no disrespect. He just likes you and wants to make life easier for you. 

13. He avoids face-to-face conversations

Face-to-face conversations are not a shy guy's forte; they prefer to chat with you on a platform that allows them to feel less pressure and be less self-conscious; which makes an online chat the perfect medium. Even for confident people, face-to-face conversations can be a bit daunting when you're talking to someone you like. You will worry about your appearance, if you're pronouncing your words well or how your breath smells. You also won't have time to rethink your words before saying them. 

14. He prefers to chat online

Chats on the other hand are easier to do. Even though the person on the other end doesn't get to hear your tone and see your facial expressions, it's still a pretty good way to get your message across. 

Consequently, timid men prefer to chat with you online as opposed to in real life. They don't have to face the pressure of knowing exactly what to say immediately or making eye contact, etc. He will also find it easier to make the first move over the internet, the sting of rejection just seems less painful when you're not in the same room as the person you're speaking with. 

15. He gets a bit jealous when he sees you talking to other guys

Another obvious sign that a shy guy likes you is his reaction when he sees other guys talking to you. Obviously, timid men may not be as violent as the rest but they will show their aggression in other ways. For example, they may start to act cold towards the other guy or leave the room in frustration. 

Watching you interact with other men upsets him, mostly because he may not be courageous enough to talk that freely with you. He's also afraid that you may fall for those other regular guys before he has a chance to tell you how he feels about you. 

Since he's an introvert, he may not talk about it; he's likely to suffer this in silence for a while. He's also passive-aggressive so he may seem passive but he'll look for other ways to express his aggression. 

16. He gets very protective

Just like his offerings of little gestures, a shy guy will show you he’s interested in you with the way he tries to protect you. He would want to keep you safe as well as he can. He will want to guide you through a busy road if you're out together, call to see if you got home safe, or stand up for you if someone tries to pick on you. 

As mentioned earlier, timid men aren't the best with words. They use actions to express themselves. They may be shy and introverted but they won't let that get in the way of caring for you if they like you. Apart from the fact that protecting females is a natural instinct for most men, timid men will go the extra mile to keep their love interests safe. Their protectiveness feeds their hero instinct and makes them feel more needed. 

17. His friends tease him

Most timid men like to hang out without outgoing, extroverted men. His friends understand him and know when he's acting weird even though he's a bit secretive. However, he may be telling his friends about you, so they're aware of how he feels. One sign he’s told them he’s interested in you is anytime they see you around, they may start to tease him or throw funny glances at each other. 

18. His friends act as his wingmen

Another good indicator, in this case, is if they leave the room when you two are together. They may be trying to act as his wingmen. If you're very curious and you'd like to know upfront, you could go ask one of his friends. You don't have to be direct with your questions, just throw some feelers out there and watch how they respond. Since they're rooting for him, they will probably let you know. 

19. He's very agreeable when it comes to you

Although timid men aren't necessarily the most assertive people, they still have strong opinions about certain things. They also don't like confrontation, so they may opt out of an argument because they don't want to waste their energy going back and forth. 

Despite this, you will notice that your shy secret admirer is way more agreeable when it comes to you. This does not mean that he's a yes man, he just does not want to scare you off. He feels that if he does anything confrontational it will repel you. He also wants to prove that he’s on the same page with you so you can view him as an ally and a friend. 

So, he may study you and claim to like the same food, movies, or colors that you like. Anything he can do to be in your good books.

20. He remembers the seemingly insignificant details

We can all agree that the average man isn’t a very good listener. They can slip in and out of focus in seconds and if they aren't that interested in you they won't listen at all. However, you'd know he pays attention when he brings up little details that you mentioned in a passing discussion. He will remember things you said a long time ago, things you may have forgotten yourself. 

21. He pays attention to every little thing you do

When a shy guy likes you, he will pay attention to you and he will hold on to certain things you tell him. For example, if you mentioned that you like stuffed animals at some point during one of your conversations he may get you one on your birthday. Or, he heard from your friends or someone else that your favorite drink is a margarita, he may order a margarita for you when you're out together, without you having to ask him. 

If he’s paying attention to details you may see as insignificant, he’s definitely deeply attracted to you. People hardly remember things that aren't on their minds often. He's thinking about you a lot. 

22. He steps out of his comfort zone for you

Introverts hate to step out of their comfort zones, especially when it has to do with social situations. They love to keep to themselves and stay in their safe zones because of their shy nature so trying new things is not necessarily in their books. If your secret admirer agrees to step out and try new things with you then he’s really interested in you. 

23. He often agrees to your suggestions

When you ask him to come meet your friends he actually agrees to come along or if you ask him to follow you to a concert featuring your favorite band, he will agree to go with you even if he hates crowds. If he pushes himself to do all these activities with you then it's clear he's trying to impress you. 

24. He does whatever he can to please you

Some introverted guys may put up a front at first especially if it's something a bit daunting; remember, he's afraid of new things. However, he will most likely follow you in the end even though he's a bit shy. At this point, you've got to be convinced that this shy man really likes you so try reciprocating the favor. Try doing something he loves to do too like staying indoors to watch a movie. 

25. He makes friends with your friends

If a guy truly likes you, he'd want to get along with your female friends. First of all, they may act as mediators whenever he wants to get a message for a gift across to you, so he'll keep them close. Secondly, he likes anything you like and your friends are included.

Even though making new friends makes him nervous, he'd be willing to step out and do that just to be in your good books. If it will get him a spot in your life, it's worth it for him. Thinking about it, approaching a group of girls would terrify a shy guy but he does so anyway and manages to win their approval. That's a big sacrifice to make. 

So, if you realize that your friends are talking to him all of a sudden and they're even on a cute nickname basis, he definitely likes you. 

26. He asks lots of questions 

No one is curious about things that don't interest them. Asking you lots of questions is one of the signs that a shy guy likes you. It may be a bit annoying or strange to you if this is your first meeting and he's practically interviewing you, most people expect a discussion on a date and not an interview. You may think it's about time he tells you about himself.

This guy is trying to glean all the information he possibly can so he can connect to you on a deeper level. So at this point, his mind isn't on himself, he may forget to tell you about himself too. 

27. He is nosey

Similar to the previous point, shy guys can be very nosey. They want to know everything about you. He wants to know what you like, what ticks you off, how your mind works, and how he can fit into your life. Also, consider that he isn't the best at small talk so asking questions about your life may be the only way he can keep the conversation going. The longer the conversation, the more time he has to spend with you. 

28. He changes his look to impress you

If you've dropped hints about liking guys that wear joggers for men that have long beards, he will probably pick up on that. Since he listens to you with all his attention, best believe he will pick up on every last thing you say. 

The next time you meet him, he may be wearing joggers or growing out his beard just so he can fit into your specifications for a mate. If he likes you, he will definitely want to look attractive to you and the more hints you give to him, the more he'd morph into that person. 

29. He improves his grooming habits

If you want to be sure he likes you, watch to see if he changes his grooming habits. Does he switch up his aftershave to a scent he thinks you might like? For example, if you mentioned you like spicy or sweet perfume smells, does he become someone else the moment you mention those things? If he does, he definitely likes you. However, do not weaponize this. Don't try to pressure him into changing himself for you. You're not going to like him if he's not his true self. 

FAQs

How do you know if a shy guy likes you secretly?

If a shy guy secretly likes you, he will clam up when you enter a room. If he manages to get close to you he will be extra nice to you. He will be protective of you and may even get jealous when another guy talks to you. All the signs are clear. 

What type of girl do shy guys like?

Timid men are usually drawn to outgoing people, for some reason, they complement them. Although everyone has their own preferences when it comes to a mate, shy guys tend to like outspoken girls. They also like girls who are sensitive and emotionally intelligent. 

How do shy guys flirt?

Shy men are very subtle in the way they flirt. Unlike most guys, they don't think about getting close to a love interest as a game. They don't just want to 'score' a date with you, they want to build a connection with you. So he may use kind and thoughtful gestures to get your attention. He will offer to do things for you that he may not be willing to do for other girls. 

What are the usual signs a shy guy gives when he is in love?

Some major signs a shy guy likes you include getting nervous when you're around, stealing glances at you when you aren't looking, not being able to maintain eye contact, and spending time around you. If this guy starts to act differently when you're around, best believe he has a massive crush on you. 

How do you get a shy guy to chase you?

It may be a bit challenging to get into a shy guy's space, they're very introverted and may seem a bit unfriendly at first since they usually wear a straight face. However, if you'd like to get them to chase you can get his attention by getting close to him as a friend, maintaining eye contact when you talk to him, and saying his name when you speak to him. 

In Conclusion

I hope you found this article helpful. Remember, shy guys are introverted, they may not show they like you in the usual ways, but their body language usually gives them away. Please let me know what you think about this topic in the comment section and be sure to share it with friends. 

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