When a woman likes someone, she usually can’t hide her feelings. On the contrary, it can be difficult to tell if a guy is interested in you, especially if he is trying to play it cool.
But don’t worry, in this article, we’ll discuss the signs he likes you but is playing it cool.
Men often have different ways of expressing their interests, and some may be more subtle than others. Some play it cool to appear more attractive, some are shy, and others aren’t sure about their feelings.
Either way, we’ve prepared a list of possible signs he’s interested in you, even if he’s playing it cool!
23 Tell-Tale Signs He Likes You But Is Playing It Cool
The signs he likes you but is playing it cool can be divided into physical and psychological signs, and both of them can be extremely subtle.
So, if you’re starting to think your crush may be interested in you, but you aren’t sure, you don’t need a relationship coach – just read on!
1. He keeps you updated about his life
If your crush updates you about his life, it’s a good sign that he likes you.
This means he wants to stay in touch and keep you informed of what’s going on in his life. It could be anything from what he’s doing on the weekend, his favorite new band, to how his parents are doing.
When someone likes you, they want to share their life with you, even if it’s just the little things. It’s also a sign that he values your opinion and wants to hear what you have to say.
2. Hot and cold
It’s common for a guy to act hot and cold if he likes you but is playing it cool.
One reason he may act like this is that he has mixed feelings about you. He may be attracted to you but is unsure if he’s ready to take the next step and commit to a relationship.
Another possibility is that he’s unsure if you feel the same way. He could be trying to keep his distance to avoid being rejected or hurt.
3. His body language says it all
Body language is probably the best way to notice if he’s interested in you, even if he’s playing it cool. Eye contact is the most common body language sign.
People who are interested in you usually make more eye contact than usual. They may also hold your gaze longer than normal.
The same goes for smiling, fidgeting, and leaning in closer to you. This is especially true if he has only recently started to do this, but you’ve been friends for a while.
4. He asks around about you
When someone is interested in you, they often want to know as much as possible about you.
Some people don’t want to waste their time going on endless dates just to find out their date is already in a relationship, or maybe they’re just shy.
So he will go to your mutual friends and ask about your relationship status, interests, and hobbies because it’s a subtle way to gather information without coming across as too intrusive.
5. He wants to know more about you
Even though he might play it cool and doesn’t ask you out every day, you’ll know he likes you when he asks questions about you and your life.
He asks how your day was, whether you have problems at work, and your opinion on certain things.
From these questions, you can conclude that he’s curious about your life, interests, and background.
He may do other things that might suggest he’s not that interested, but if he keeps bringing up topics and conversations you’ve already discussed just so you can have something to talk about, he probably likes you more than you think.
6. He tries to be part of your life
He’s been in your life for months, yet you can’t quite figure him out. You know he’s interested in you, but he plays it cool. He’s a mystery.
First, remember that men like to play it cool. They don’t want to appear desperate or clingy, so they may play it cool to ensure they don’t scare you away.
However, if he truly likes you, he will use every situation and event to be your plus one, especially if they are events you share the same interest.
7. He’s jealous of other guys
If your guy friend acts differently when you’re around other guys or when they compliment you, it’s a sure sign he likes you.
Although he may not display any other signs that he likes you, this sign alone is enough that he can’t play it cool even if he wants to.
It’s natural for a guy to feel a bit uneasy when the girl he likes talks to other guys, and it could be that your guy friend is just showing his true feelings.
8. He looks for excuses to be around you
If a guy looks for excuses to be with you even though he’s playing it cool, it’s a clear sign that he’s interested in you.
He may be trying to get close to you without coming across as too eager or overwhelming you. He loves spending time with you so much that he might be looking for an excuse to talk to you or hang out with you, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
He may also call or text you randomly to ask how you’re doing or to check in.
If he’s playing it cool, he may not be too obvious about why he’s reaching out, but the intention is usually there.
9. He tells you intimate things about him
Sharing intimate details about oneself is often a sign of trust, and if he trusts you enough to tell you his thoughts, feelings, and personal stories, then he more than likely likes you.
Yes, he’s definitely comfortable opening up to you and has no problem being vulnerable around you. Those intimate details can range from stories about his childhood to his thoughts about the future.
Trust me, someone who isn’t interested in you and doesn’t want you for good will never reveal such things.
10. He touches you…a lot
From a light touch on the shoulder to holding hands and cuddling, physical contact can be a sign he is interested in you on a romantic level. It’s a sign of affection and attraction.
It’s a sign of affection because physical touch can help us say things that words never could, and a sign of attraction because he can’t help but be close to you and kiss and cuddle with you.
So, even if he avoids talking about his feelings, physical touch will make it clear he’s into you.
11. ‘‘So, what do you look for in men?’’
Questions about your ideal partner suggest that this guy is interested in knowing more about who you are and wants to know if he’s a good potential love interest for you.
The kind of questions he’ll ask can vary, but generally, they will focus on understanding your personality, interests, and values.
He may ask you questions about what you’re looking for in a relationship and what kind of relationship you would like to have, which is great because these questions are a good way to get to know each other.
12. Constant jokes about your relationship
Joking about marriage, moving in together, and other long-term commitments can be a way for him to indirectly express his feelings without actually having to come out and say it.
Jokes about your eventual relationship can also be a way for a guy to test the waters.
By making these jokes, he can gauge your reaction and see whether you are open to the idea of a serious relationship.
Is he really your best friend, or is there something more to it?
13. He’s shy but extroverted around you
He may be shy in general, but if he’s extroverted with you, it could be a sign that he likes you.
He may be more comfortable with you than he is with others, so you may find him talking more around you than in other social situations.
So try to see how he behaves when he’s with other people and when he’s with you. If you spot that his introversion disappears when he’s alone with you, there is your sign!
14. He remembers small details about you
Does your crush keep mentioning small things you’ve told him in conversation, even though he’s playing it cool? It’s a clear sign he’s interested in getting to know you better.
When someone is playing it cool, they may not overtly express their feelings, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care, and these small details will reveal him!
He will remember how you walk and the way you talk about something you’re passionate about. He will recall the conversations you’ve had and the jokes you’ve shared.
15. Unique compliments
Maybe you’re worried he doesn’t show you the love and affection you think you deserve, but always remember that everyone has their own way of showing emotions.
Maybe you’re too busy thinking about how he’s playing it cool that you aren’t able to see the beautiful and unique compliments you’re getting.
They are more powerful than generic compliments and speak to your personality, good traits, and appearance.
16. He treats you like his girlfriend
Even though there are many subtle signs he likes you but is playing it cool, treating you like his girlfriend isn’t one.
So, if he plans special dates with you, shares his thoughts and feelings, and is interested in your love life – yes, yes, yes, he’s treating you like a girlfriend, and he definitely likes you!
His words can say one thing, but his actions are a completely different story. Maybe he’s not used to expressing his feelings openly, so he’s subtly treating you like a girlfriend instead.
Special attention, being protective of you, or even being a little possessive are all signs he likes you but is playing it cool.
17. He comes to you for advice
One obvious sign he’s interested is if he comes to you for advice.
When a man comes to you for advice, it’s a sign that he values your opinion and feels comfortable enough around you to share his thoughts. He trusts you and relies on you to help him make important decisions.
So from this, you can conclude how much you matter to him even though he’s playing it cool.
18. His loved ones know about you
One of the signs he likes you but is playing it cool is if his parents and friends know about you.
It can be difficult to know if he truly likes you, especially if you’re in the early stages of a relationship.
For many people, there is no point in telling your parents about a potential partner unless you truly want to make things serious with a crush.
Therefore, if you know that he’s been talking about you to his parents and friends, it’s a sign he really wants you to be part of his life.
19. He buys you gifts
If he’s playing it cool but at the same time buying you gifts…Girl, he likes you!
Try to imagine: would you waste your time and money on someone you don’t like, even if it’s a small gift and a little sign that you’re thinking about them? Probably not.
This is especially true if he’s not just randomly selecting a gift; instead, he’s taking the time to pick something you said you love. This is a sign that he thinks of you and wants to make you happy.
20. You catch him looking at you
When he’s interested in you, he will find any excuse to steal a glance. As he probably isn’t good with words, he will try to compensate for that with eye contact.
You will catch him looking at you at a party or during work several times, but prolonged eye contact will also be present.
When he sees you looking back at him, he won’t take his eyes off you because you kinda gave him the green light.
21. Rare but thoughtful text messages
If you’re worried he’s playing it cool and only texts you occasionally, you should focus more on what he says than on how much he texts you.
Keep in mind that many people don’t like chatting and use their social media only when necessary. Maybe he’s one of them.
‘‘I was just thinking about you and wanted to make sure you’re doing okay.’’ This is one of the messages you might receive that is better than a hundred other messages without any context or emotions.
22. He shows off around you
One of the subtle things you might find unimportant but is actually a clear sign he likes you is if he shows off around you.
Showing off around you means he’s trying to impress you, so he will try to demonstrate his knowledge, skills, or accomplishments, either through words or actions.
This can even include trying to make you laugh with a funny story or joke.
Now that technology has become an inevitable part of our lives, following your every step on social media can also be categorized in the ‘‘signs he likes me’’ section.
So if he’s the first one to see or react to your social media story, you can say he likes you. We often post on social media stories about things we do or places we visit, so he’s interested in your life.
And someone who cares about you and your life is someone who might be interested in you.
Why Is He Playing It Cool?
Men often play it cool when they like you, even though they want to make it clear that they’re interested.
One reason may be that he doesn’t want to play it cool at all – he’s just a shy guy and is afraid to make any concrete moves.
Sometimes, his past relationships may affect his current one with you. He may have old wounds that need to heal. That’s why you should prepare for a lot of work with him and your relationship.
Also, he may fear that if he comes on too strong, you will reject him, and he’ll miss out on the opportunity to have a relationship with you.
But we shouldn’t rule out the possibility that he’s only a good actor and wants to manipulate you!
Bottom Line
There are many signs he likes you but is playing it cool. However, figuring out he likes you can be difficult as you’ll constantly be bombarded with mixed signals.
But by paying attention to his body language and behavior, you can get clues about his feelings and intentions.
If he is showing signs that he likes you but is playing it cool, then it is best to take it slow and let him take the lead.Show him that you are interested in him, but don’t be too pushy. Compliment him, ask questions about him and his interests, and give him space to open up to you.
