You met an interesting guy and struck the right chords immediately. You might also have good chemistry with each other, but you think he is sending mixed signals. What could be the signs a guy is scared of his feelings for you? His behavior may seem a little detached, disinterested, or withdrawn. Well, some men could be afraid of heartbreak, embarrassment, or rejection. Though he likes you, his fears may not let him come close to you. Therefore, he may find reasons to avoid a relationship. If you think the guy has feelings for you but is staying aloof because of apprehensions, you can talk with him, by bringing him into your comfort zone so that he feels secure in confessing his feelings for you. Read this post to know the common signs that show he is scared or confused about his feelings. Understanding his concerns can help you deal with the problem.
15 Signs A Guy Is Scared Of His Feelings For You
Everyone has a different personality and unique approach to romance. However, some common factors explain why some men hide their true feelings. Here are reasons why some men find it difficult to open up.
1. His behavior changes for no apparent reason
This rule does not apply if you have just met someone. However, if you have been friends for a long time, you will notice that his behavior changes for no apparent reason. Any significant change in behavior or your interactions indicates that he no longer sees you as a mere friend and may wish more from the relationship. If his behavior becomes less friendly and he seems to be hiding his true feelings, he may be starting to see you more romantically.
2. You catch him staring at you
If you find him staring at you intently or more nonchalantly from time to time, this is a tangible sign that he may see you as more than just your friend. It is more evident if he stares at you when he thinks you are not noticing it. The mere act of being around the object of one’s affections can be intoxicating to someone who is in love and is scared to make the first move.
3. You keep running into each other
If you seem to frequently “bump into each other,” be aware that this may not be a coincidence. You may meet him more often at the grocery store or gym or when walking your dog. He may even suggest that he give you a ride home because he has something to do “on the way.” In any case, if he finds an excuse to spend more time with you, this is a positive sign that he likes you, but he is afraid to take any action.
4. He acts differently when you’re around
You can observe his behavior when he is with his friends or family vis-à-vis when you are around him. You will find him a whole different person, and his behavior changes when you are around him. If he acts shy or is unable to articulate himself, it means he’s embarrassed by what you might have to think of what he says. If he doesn’t talk much at all, it’s another signal that he has feelings for you but doesn’t know how to articulate them to you.
5. He wants to be your hero
Even if he is not openly flirtatious or does not make any comments to suggest that he likes you, he will still want to “take care of you.” He will drop you home when it’s late. He will help you carry things and even help you cross the road to make you feel safe. Such behavior is a well-documented phenomenon called “hero instinct.” Typically, men have the “hero instinct” if they are romantically inclined towards women.
6. He often jokes that he wants to date you
He would joke that the two of you are dating and then laugh. Although you may think he is fooling around, he may have a deeper motive. He may say, “Imagine you and me dating!” as he laughs. He may be eliciting your reaction or response. This is his timid attempt to test, to see how you react about the idea of dating. Such behavior could be on a platonic level. However, if it happens too often, then he may be suppressing his feelings for you.
7. He’s nervous when you’re around
This is a dead giveaway that he likes you, especially if you both have been friends for some time. If you find him nervous and fidgety when you are around, it could indicate that he wants to reveal his heart but cannot. You can test the waters by asking him if everything is okay and watch his reaction. He will likely say everything is fine and make some excuse for acting out of character, or he may even confess his feelings for you now that you have brought it up. He may even think that you have figured it out from some other source.
8. He remembers the smallest of details
He remembers the minutest details, such as the day or date when you first met him, the song you played in his car, or what you were wearing two weeks ago. He treasures every moment and thing you shared because they mean a lot to him. Remembering these seemingly random details is a good indicator that he has feelings for you, but he is scared to express them.
9. He’s jealous, but he won’t admit it
Jealousy is often the most apparent indicator of someone’s emotions. If he gets jealous of you around someone else, it could be because he just thinks they’re not a good fit for you. But that is unlikely if you’re just friends. If he is jealous, it will reflect in his body language or attitude towards the other guy. He may clench his fists, or he may be rude to the other guy. It is an indirect indication that he wants you to be around him. He may not harbor negative feelings if he doesn’t see the other guy as his competitor.
10. His mood fluctuates a lot around you
He will have mood swings, blows hot and cold. He will be happy and suddenly may feel insecure or unhappy the next moment. Such mood fluctuation reflects the inner turmoil he is experiencing due to his fear and confusion. Give him some time, and don’t take it to heart, as his intentions are good, but he just can’t find a way to tell you because he’s scared.
11. He’s avoiding you for no reason
People handle fear in different ways. Some people confront it, while others may prefer to avoid it. He may try to avoid you as a defense mechanism for fear of rejection. He will establish contact with you by texting or calling you but may not physically meet you to avoid any embarrassment or mask and hide his true feelings.
12. He values your advice more than his other friends
We all take advice from friends and family about various things. But if you find that he turns to you for advice about important things such as career decisions, health issues, or family problems, he immensely values your opinion. At the very least, you are his closest friend and confidante. It suggests he has some feelings for you but is afraid to say it.
13. His friends seem to know something is up
While he might be able to keep his feelings a secret from you, he may confide his true feelings to his friends. If he is tight-lipped about how he feels about you, but his friends act differently around you, there’s a good sign he has feelings for you but is too afraid to tell you. His friends’ typical behavior may include teasing, asking you how you feel about him, or even indirectly hinting that he likes you.
14. He puts effort into his appearance around you
Many things make people want to dress better or groom more carefully. However, if you notice that he takes extra effort to put up his best appearance, it indicates that he has feelings for you. At work or with his friends, he may be dressed casually. But when you are around, he is immaculately dressed, indicating that he is trying to impress you.
15. He doesn’t talk about relationships
It is perfectly normal to discuss relationships with friends from time to time. If you find that he is reluctant or outright refuses to discuss this with you, it’s a sign he might have feelings for you. He may give you relationship advice and listen to all your feelings about your ex-boyfriend or an anecdote about a date, but he does not comment on his relationships. An excellent way to test is by asking him if he’s been interested in anyone lately and observe his reaction. He may be reluctant, nervous, or entirely in a denial mode. It indicates that he is emotionally available but lacks the courage to express his feelings.
