17 Signs Your Friend Has Feelings For You

You have probably heard that friendship is generally the first step toward a relationship. If you frequently ask yourself “Are we more than friends?” you are in the right place.

Understanding these signs is important, as it helps avoid potential misunderstandings that could affect your friendship. By being aware of how your friend might feel, you can better handle the situation and avoid awkwardness. Recognizing these cues will allow you to manage your emotions with clarity, ensuring you maintain a strong bond, whether it turns into a romantic relationship or stays as a valued friendship.

Here are some telltale signs that your friend likes you, which can help you better understand their feelings.

If you notice these signals that a friend is romantically interested in you, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to develop that bond into something more without too much difficulty. However, this shift may not be easy and may put stress on your friendship.

It would be best to consider whether you want to develop a romantic bond with them before you make a move.

When you notice signs that your friend likes you, you must figure out how you feel about them. Either you also like back and want to start a relationship with them. Or you let them down gently because you don’t see them that way.

Now that that’s out of the way, here’s how to determine if a friend likes you. Keep reading!

Top 17 Signs That Your Friend Has Feelings For You

If you can’t tell the signs he likes you more than a friend, you just might have to pay attention a little more. Look for these tell-tale signs and get all the insights you need below! Keep scrolling.

1. They Take The Time Out For You

Okay, we completely agree that making plans together is something you do even with your casual friends. But if they like you, they will help you out with things that most of your other friends do not want to do. They will prioritize you even when it is inconvenient for them. This is perhaps one of the best ways to figure out whether they like you.

However, keep in mind that people who have been friends for a long time also give each other a lot of time and prioritize each other’s needs. But, if you see them taking out time for you and exhibiting some of the other signs listed below, there is a good chance that they like you.

2. They Always Want To Impress You

Figure out how much attention they are trying to gain from you. Is your friend going out of their way to do things only you like? Maybe they want to make you laugh with their jokes or play songs that you like – it can be anything. Even something as simple as dressing up well around you could be a sign that they are interested in you romantically.

3. They Feel Protective Towards You

If you are wondering how to tell if your friend likes you, observe their body language and how they act around you. They will always keep watching out for you while in crowded places. They will keep an eye out for how others treat you. They also watch out for how you treat yourself. All in all, they start taking your well-being as a responsibility.

4. They Spend A Lot Of One-on-One Time With You

Most gangs and buddies hang out in packs. I mean, F.R.I.E.N.D.S taught us that. But there is always a Chandler and Monica wanting to kindle things with each other secretly. A friend who likes spending time together will try to make plans to hang out only with you. While some people generally like one-on-one connections, when a friend starts to make more effort to be with you alone, it may just be because they like you romantically. They may be thinking of different ways to form a deep connection with you.

5. They Flirt Quite A Bit

Flirting is the clearest sign of them all. However, this is different from the friends who casually flirt with you after downing a few drinks. In such a situation, they are attracted to you, but it does not mean anything more than that. We are talking about the friends who flirt with you regularly and persistently.

Quick Tip

Pay attention to their tone of voice and the way they hold eye contact. Their voice and their gaze will be deeper around you than it is with others. You can be sure that it is not casual flirting.

6. They Try To Get Intimate With You

We don’t mean that they force themselves on you. Chaste physical touch occurs a lot more often. For example, they may touch your hand, arm, or hair frequently while talking to you. Even these small signs can hint at their feelings, so keep looking for them.

7. They Are Always There To Support You

Being supportive of all your goals and choices is a sign of any good friend. But when a friend is romantically interested in you, they will go out of their way to do so. Not only will they congratulate you on your promotion, but they may also throw a party in your honor. They may help you with a work problem, drive you to the airport, or accompany you to that doctor’s appointment that you have been dreading for a while.

8. They Always Listen To You

Most people want to lend an ear to the people they love. If your friend is romantically interested in you, they will start talking to you a lot more. They always will be there to hear you out and will want to solve all your problems. With them, you will always feel heard. They won’t just sit there and nod their head but actually pay attention to all that you say.

9. They Share A Lot More Than Usual

If your friend is romantically interested in you, they will start to share a lot more stuff than they do in general. In fact, they will do this because they trust you with their feelings and deepest secrets and because they want to build a deeper connection with you.

10. They Take Quite A Lot Of Interest In Your Love Life

Showing interest in your life is something friends do to ensure your day-to-day wellbeing. But any friend who is romantically interested in you will want to start things up with you. They will start showing a lot more interest in your love life. They would start asking personal questions and want to ensure that you weigh all your options correctly and make the right decision for yourself. They may diss your crush and hint that you should give them a chance instead.

Quick Tip

They will show you that they are better than your past relationships through actions. They will remember things about your past relationships that upset you or made you happy and act accordingly around you.

11. People Notice The Kind Of Attention They Give You

If a friend gets romantically interested in you, your other friends will be able to see this interest. They will also be able to see that they are giving you special attention. Basically, it will become obvious to the people around you that this person likes you, and they will start to point it out as well and start some friendly teasing too.

12. Their Phone Is A Stranger When You Are Around

This is quite easy to notice, especially with a friend who is addicted to their phone. Your friend who was always interested in social media now keeps their phone away when having one-on-one conversations with you. In fact, another common hint is they start texting when are you both are sitting with a group of people.

13. They Connect To You A Lot More Frequently

Your weekly catch-up sessions may become bi-weekly, perhaps even daily. When somebody likes you, they will want to be connected to you and try to reach out to you a lot more frequently. They will find little excuses to talk to you and show you that you have somebody to fall back on.

14. They Try To Take An Interest In Your Friends And Family

When a friend is romantically interested in you, they will want to know about all the important aspects of your life. They will ask you about your niece and maybe even make plans to chill with your parents! Whatever the case maybe, they will definitely want to be there for you a lot more often.

15. They Surprise You As Much As They Can

There is a romantic notion that surprises make people happy. When they are interested in you, they will want to surprise you quite often. They may get your favorite food delivered to you or take you out to a restaurant you like without telling you.

16. They Try To Make You Jealous

If a friend has romantic feelings for you, they may try to make you jealous to get your attention or induce a reaction of some sort. It may also be because they want to see whether you too are romantically inclined towards them and may reciprocate the same feelings. They may try to flirt with others in front of you or hang out more with other friends to seek your attention. However, this behavior can also lead to miscommunication, misunderstanding, or even turn into a toxic friendship. It can make you feel insecure about the friendship. All in all, this jealousy-inducing behavior can be difficult to deal with and prove emotionally taxing.

17. Communication Patterns

When they start feeling for you, you should see a noticeable change in how often they communicate with you. If they start texting or calling more often than usual, or if they are the ones initiating most conversations, it could mean they want to connect with you on a deeper level. This increase in communication might indicate that they enjoy your company more than just as a friend and are interested in something more.

When you notice a friend exhibiting signs that they might have feelings for you, it’s important to handle the situation with care and consideration. Scroll down to learn how in the next section.

How To Respond When You Notice These Signs

Here are some tips on how to approach it while keeping your friendship intact.

• Take time to understand your own feelings before reacting. Knowing how you feel will guide your next steps.
• Have an open conversation when you’re ready. Set a time to sit together so that both of you can clarify any misunderstandings.
• Be gentle and respectful of their emotions, even if you don’t share the same feelings.
• Set boundaries if needed, especially if you value the friendship and don’t want things to change.
• Be patient. Transitioning from friendship to something more, or addressing feelings, takes time and sensitivity.

Infographic: What To Do When Your Friend Has Feelings For You

It is lovely to develop feelings for someone. But things may be different when it is a friend as it may put your friendship at stake. Undoubtedly, it is a tricky situation and demands utmost care and attention. To help you handle it, we have some tips in the infographic below that you must follow. Scroll down to find them.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can friends become lovers?

Yes, friends can become lovers. You can be attracted to your friend and be in a romantic relationship if both have the same feelings.

What is more than friends but not dating?

The phase where you are more than friends with each other but not dating is called situationship.

How do you make a friend attracted to you?

Spending time with your friend, listening to them, flirting, complimenting their personality and looks, being there for your friend, etc., may make a friend attracted to you.

Can you suddenly develop feelings for a friend?

Yes, it is possible to suddenly develop feelings for a friend even though you have known them for a long time. Getting to know them more and spending time with them may make a deeper connection.

How can I keep our friendship if we don’t pursue a romantic relationship?

YClear communication is important. Be honest about your feelings and respect each other’s boundaries to ensure that the friendship stays strong and comfortable for both of you. If it gets too difficult initially, take some time off after ‘the talk’ and then recuperate.

Are you wondering if someone likes you more than just a friend? Then check out this video to learn 6 signs that could mean they do!

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Joseph MooreCertified Relationship And Life Coach

Joseph Moore is an ace relationship coach and public speaker who started coaching in 2015. Although Joseph is a trained electrical engineer from the University of Chester, he found passion in helping people get it right with their love life.

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Sneha has a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, a professional Relationship Coach diploma, and over four years of experience in writing. She writes about relationships and lifestyle.Sneha began her career as an instructional designer, shifted to freelance technical and research writing, and self-published a novella on the theme of adolescent mental health.

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