How to Drop Hints to Let a Guy Know How You Feel

Whether you're crushing on your best friend or a classmate, expressing your feelings can be challenging. Fortunately, you don't need to be upfront about it for him to ask you out. You can use different methods to subtly show your interest. By using body language, finding excuses to spend time with him, and bringing up topics that will get the conversation going, you can hint at your feelings.

Make eye contact frequently. Whenever you’re talking, be sure to make eye contact with him. This simple act shows that you’re fully engaged in the conversation. When someone says something funny, look at him while smiling. Eye contact makes both of you feel connected and shows mutual interest.

• Don’t stare at him across the room—it might feel a bit awkward. Instead, smile and look away if your eyes meet unintentionally.

Laugh when he tells a joke. Don't laugh at everything he says, only laugh when it's clear he’s joking. Be sure to laugh naturally so it doesn’t seem fake. Even if his joke isn’t that funny, still smile so he knows you enjoy his company.

• Don't laugh at hurtful jokes. Trust your own judgment rather than trying to please him.

Sit close to him. When the opportunity arises, move your chair closer or sit nearer to him on a bench. Aim to get within his personal space, about 45 cm. Don’t go closer than that unless you sense he’s comfortable with it. Pay attention to whether he leans in towards you during conversation or seems to pull away.

Touch him casually while talking or laughing. Whenever you're chatting, look for opportunities to casually touch him. If he says something funny, lightly touch his arm while laughing. Don't keep your hand there too long, as he may not want that.

• Try exhaling as if remembering something, and then gently touch his arm or shoulder as you share it.
• Avoid touching his leg unless you're close friends. That’s a more intimate gesture and could feel too much if you're still getting to know each other.

Be present at his extracurricular activities. If he’s into sports or music, attend his games or performances. Stay around for a while, then greet him to let him know you were there. Supporting his interests sends a clear message that you care.

• Only attend events he’s told you about or that you both know of. Don’t show up at places you found out about by stalking his Facebook comments.

Let him borrow a book or movie. If there’s a book or movie you really enjoy, ask if he’s read or watched it yet. If not, offer to lend it to him and express your curiosity about his thoughts on it. This will show him you’re thinking about him, and it will also give you something to talk about the next time you meet.

• If it’s a movie, you could invite him to watch it with you. This is a natural way to see if he’s interested in spending more time with you.

Bring him snacks and drinks. Pay attention to his favorite snacks or drinks. He might have a preferred soda in the afternoon or a regular snack like chips. If you know you’ll be seeing him, buy two servings—one for him and one for you. This shows that you think of him, but without going out of your way just to please him.

Ask him to teach you something. If he enjoys playing video games and you’re unfamiliar with them, ask if you can come by so he can teach you how to play. If he plays golf, tell him you'd like to learn how to swing the club. This request will make him feel proud and give you the chance to get closer to him.

• If he declines without a good reason, it might be a sign that he doesn’t share your feelings.

Talk about his interests. If he enjoys sports, video games, movies, or books, bring up these topics. This shows that you’re interested in what makes him who he is. If you’re not familiar with these subjects, take the time to learn about them. You don’t have to be an expert, just enough to keep the conversation flowing.

• Check out news on the latest game from his favorite sports team and ask if he’s read about it.
• Find out about upcoming video game releases and ask if he plans to buy any.
• Don’t pretend to know more than you do. Be honest and say something like, “I don’t know much, but it looks interesting.”

Ask about topics you've discussed before. Show that you care about what he says by bringing up past conversations. The next time you meet, inquire about things you both talked about earlier. If he mentioned an upcoming math exam, ask how it went. If he mentioned his dog being sick, ask, "How's your puppy doing today?"

Give him a compliment. Instead of complimenting him constantly, offer praise in the right moments. If he shows up in a new shirt or is dressed more sharply than usual, let him know he looks great. If he often wears a favorite T-shirt, just say something simple like, "That shirt looks really nice."

• Compliments don't always have to be about appearance. You could tell him he has amazing musical talent or that he's a true artist.

Ask for his advice. Asking for his opinions shows trust and respect, which can subtly communicate your feelings. You can ask about small things like, "What movie should I watch this weekend?" or more serious issues like, "How should I deal with this friend?" Be sure to follow up later and tell him how things went.

Send a message or email to show you're thinking of him. Find a funny picture and send it to him, saying, "This reminded me of you." Not only does it show you're thinking of him when you're apart, but it also highlights that you find him humorous.

• It doesn't have to be a funny message. You could send a great article and say, "This reminded me of our conversation yesterday."

Tell him directly that you like him. If everything else fails, don’t be afraid to be straightforward. He may not have picked up on your hints or he might be too shy. Try saying something simple like, "I really like you. How about we go out sometime?"

• If he declines, just brush it off. You could say something like, "No worries, it was just a suggestion!" then laugh and change the topic.