Guys can be pretty hard to figure out, honestly. Sometimes, it’s tough to know whether a guy likes you or not, and this uncertainty can make you go crazy. One of the most puzzling types of guys to decode is the shy or nervous type. While there are many helpful signs that can hint if he’s into you, it ultimately depends on the guy himself.
Steps
Observe his behavior

Pay attention to his attitude. If you often talk online, notice if he seems confident and chatty, jumping from one topic to the next. Then, observe how he behaves when you meet in person. If he likes you, it’s likely that he’ll be nervous or shy in front of you.

Notice who usually starts the conversation. If you talk to him online often, pay attention to who initiates the chats. If he’s the one always starting the conversation, it’s a sign that he might like you.

Pay attention to the emojis he uses. Nowadays, people often send emojis. It’s usually a good sign if he always sends you smiley faces while chatting. If you’re happy, send one back. Who knows, this might give him the courage to ask you out.

Notice if he finds excuses to touch you. When a guy often tries to touch you casually, it could mean he likes you. Be cautious of guys who are creepy or touch you inappropriately. If his gestures are subtle, just smile and keep talking.

Notice if he brags about himself. Many guys try to impress you with their achievements, even shy ones tend to embellish their stories. Pay attention if he tries to grab your attention with tales like how he “rescued otters on the beach” or how his dad “was in a famous band.”
- They often mention small things like “By the way, I play electric guitar” or “Did you see my goal last Friday?”
- If you like him too, you can join in the conversation when he starts bragging, but be sure to change the topic quickly.

Notice if he talks about you often. You don’t need to go asking around about this. What’s meant to happen will happen. If he likes you, he might ask your friends about you. That’s a clear sign that he’s into you.
Observe his body language

Watch his body language. You can tell if a guy feels nervous around you by his behavior. Compare how he acts with his friends versus when he's with you. Do you notice any excitement or restlessness when he’s around you?

Notice his awkward gestures. Many guys don’t get much opportunity to interact with girls, and their nervousness shows through fidgety gestures. Pay attention to his hands.

See if he tends to move closer to you. He may often try to get closer to you. Observe if he naturally gravitates toward you in a crowd. Even when you're sitting together, does he keep inching closer until your shoulders lightly brush? This could be a sign that he likes you.

Look at his smile. One of the most obvious signs from guys is their smile. Many guys smile often, but if you notice that his smiles are consistently directed at you, it’s a good sign.

Notice his eye contact. Does he often glance at you? He might react in different ways when caught looking at you. He may quickly look away, glance at you for a few more seconds before looking down, or hold your gaze.
- Look into his eyes. If it feels like you two are holding eye contact a bit longer than with others, even if it’s just for a second, it might be a sign that there’s some chemistry between you two.
Listen to what he says

Notice the questions he asks. When talking to you, a guy who’s interested will ask you a lot of questions. If he’s a good conversationalist, you might not even notice this. Perhaps he’s finding common topics for the two of you to share.
- Grab onto a topic that excites both of you when he starts to get passionate. Ask him a few questions back to see if he’s really being genuine or just pretending.

Pay attention to his tone of voice. Sometimes, men change their tone depending on who they’re talking to. Listen to how he speaks with his guy friends and how he talks to you. If his tone doesn’t change, it doesn’t necessarily mean he doesn’t like you, but usually, he’ll speak with you in a much softer and tender voice.

Notice if he mumbles. Some people tend to mumble, but many guys suddenly become shy when talking to the girl they secretly like, and you can tell. This is especially common with shy guys.
- In this situation, you could help calm him down by gently placing your hand on his shoulder or arm.

Reflect on the simple, everyday conversations shared between the two of you. Sometimes, when you really like someone, the topics of your discussions don't matter that much. You can talk about trivial things or nonsensical topics. Think back to those conversations with him. Were the topics seemingly unimportant, yet both of you enjoyed them?

Talking on the phone. If that guy likes you and you like him back, try calling him. Why should girls always wait for guys to make the first move? Take the lead and call him to see if the conversation flows naturally.
- Some people aren't fond of phone calls, but sometimes, you can tell if they're trying.
Advice
- If a guy is confident around other girls but becomes shy and nervous when he's around you, it's likely that he has feelings for you.
- Ladies, trust your instincts. Your heart doesn't lie. If you truly feel he likes you, chances are, you're right. Just make sure you're not fooling yourself.
- If you're into him, try flirting online or in person. If he flirts back, it could be a sign that he's into you as well.
- Notice if he pulls away when you accidentally touch him (like brushing his arm or leg). If he likes you, he won't do that.
- You can test his personal space to see if he's into you. Step into his personal space and see if you can touch him. If he likes you, he might either step back and blush from shyness or remain still.
- Does he avoid eye contact with you, but seem genuinely happy when you come closer? If so, it's clear that he has feelings for you, he's just nervous.
Warning
- A guy who seems nervous around you doesn't necessarily like you. It's possible that he's just nervous around all girls. However, if he talks to other girls normally but gets flustered when you're around, then it might mean he likes you.
- Just because a guy flirts with you doesn't mean he has feelings for you. Some guys are simply naturally flirty. Use your judgment to figure it out.
- Don't play the "emotion detective" and only see what you want to see.
