The early stages of dating can stir up excitement as well as uncertainty. You really like this new person, but how can you tell if the feeling is mutual?
It’s normal to feel insecure about where things stand.
Rather than letting anxiety take hold, look for reassuring signals that indicate he genuinely enjoys your company and wants to get to know you better.
Whether you find yourself falling for him or just want confirmation that he’s interested too, noticing these cues can provide clarity.
Pay attention to his body language, communication style, and attitude when you’re together. Does he seem engaged and present with you? Or distracted and closed off?
The subtle signs will speak volumes before a formal relationship develops.
Keep reading to discover the most revealing signs he’s really liking you in these critical early stages.
15 Early Dating Signs He Likes You
1. He Keeps in Touch and Communicates Effectively
I know you’ve heard it before, but I’ll tell you again anyway: Communication is key to any successful relationship.
And Amy North, a relationship expert will tell you the same and more:
“Communication is key, and a guy who consistently initiates conversations, whether through text, calls or in person, is likely invested in getting to know you better.”
In other words, if the guy you’re dating is constantly present in your life and contacts you often, that’s proof of his interest in you.
What’s more, if he also remembers and follows up on important details you’ve shared, that means he truly pays attention to you.
Does he also make date plans and is punctual? If so, that’s definitely a plus!
2. His Interest in You and Your Life is Sincere
Does he like you? Yes, he does, especially if…
- … he tries to get to know you better by asking you varied questions.
- … he takes an interest in your job, family, as well as your hobbies.
- … he doesn’t ask for the sake of asking – he actually listens.
- … he asks follow-up questions about your concerns or certain events.
- … he is open to the idea of introducing you to his friends and family.
- … you have already met his close circle of friends and/or parents.
A man who does all of the above or most of them is, simply put, relationship material. He expresses his interest in you as a person, trying to discover more about you every day.
3. He Gives All the Right Body Language Signals
To figure out a guy’s real intentions with you as soon as possible after you start dating him, observe his body language.
Reading a man’s body language has proven to be highly efficient for me in many instances, and I’m sure it will be the same for you.
First, think about whether or not he makes prolonged eye contact with you. In a 2007 study researchers discovered that the sense of closeness and making eye contact are closely related.
What’s more, thanks to a 2010 study, we now know for sure that physical touch is essential when we’re trying to deepen our bond with someone or make an emotional connection.
In other words, if he touches you lightly during conversations or throughout your interactions, it means he’s trying to get closer to you.
Other cues? He fully faces you when you talk and slightly leans in.
4. He Confides in You and Shows Vulnerability
A man’s willingness to open up to you and reveal his vulnerable side says a lot about his feelings.
He likes you for sure if he tells you personal stories, and talks to you about his hopes and dreams, and what he wants to achieve in the future.
If you think about it, he is not at all a superficial guy. He is not afraid to touch on sensible topics and go beyond the obvious.
His thoughts and feelings are not mysteries to you. If he likes you, he’ll not hesitate to admit his insecurities and even discuss the challenges he’s facing to build intimacy with you.
According to a 1996 study by Aron & Westbay, openness, and intimacy are two of the main factors that contribute to the healthy and successful development of romantic relationships.
So, you’re on the right track!
5. He Truly Wants To Help You And is Supportive
Let me ask you this: When the man you’re dating helps you out with something, does he ask for anything in return?
Is he hoping to get some action if he runs an errand for you or does he do it because he’s kind?
I’m asking this because if there’s any type of reward in it for him, this sign doesn’t count. It only counts if he does it for you.
His advice-giving and assistance in various tasks are considered a form of help and they qualify as support processes that occur in intimate relationships, according to a 2010 study by Kieran T. Sullivan and Joanne Davila.
On top of that, keep in mind what dating coach and author Matthew Hussey says about supportive guys:
“A guy who actively supports your goals and encourages your personal growth is showing that he envisions a future where the two of you can continue to evolve together.”
6. He Expresses Verbal Affection with Compliments
Here’s a fact: A man who gives you compliments, appreciates, and likes you.
But any man can give you compliments. Does it mean he’s really into you?
No, it doesn’t. That’s why you must take an in-depth look at what the guy you’re dating says to you.
You see, it’s not enough to get compliments about your appearance from him. Things get serious only when he starts saying positive things about your personality traits and skills.
What’s more, if he points out unique things that he admires about you, then you’ll know – you fascinate him!
Sincere and non-flirtatious compliments are the best!
So, don’t hesitate to meet him halfway! Floyd’s affection exchange theory highlights the importance of affectionate communication in romantic relationships – a few kind words go a long way!
7. He Constantly Flirts with You
The truth is that men’s motivation behind flirting is often more sexual than it is relational or fun.
As for women, they tend to flirt with the men they like because they want to have fun and create a stronger emotional connection with them.
How do I know?
According to a 2004 study by David Dryden Henningsen, men, and women are motivated by different factors when they flirt.
Until you figure out the real intentions behind your date’s flirting, take it as a positive sign. He likes you for sure. Otherwise, he wouldn’t flirt with you.
8. He Does His Best to Impress You
Can you think of a time when this man tried to impress you? Has he by any chance done something on the riskier side?
The reason I’m asking is because of what Richard Ronay and William von Hippel discovered in their 2010 study.
They found that men change their behavior when they’re around women whom they find attractive.
Examples that qualify are:
- He shows off by doing tricks on his bike or skateboard.
- He puts on a risky stunt because he knows you’re watching.
- He accepts a dangerous challenge because another man dared him and you were there to see.
The explanation? Men’s testosterone levels rise when they’re in the presence of a sexually appealing woman. As a result, they start performing for her.
9. He Remembers the Small Details
Did you know that when we are interested in something or someone, our memory tends to get better?
This is actually something that Greta M. Fastrich, Tyson Kerr, Alan D. Castel, and Kou Murayama have discovered thanks to their extensive study published in 2017.
According to their find, interest plays an important factor in one’s memory performance. To put it simply, if the guy you’re dating is interested in you, he’ll remember more things about you.
But how can you tell if he remembers anything?
- He brings up something you talked about before.
- He asks follow-up questions about something you were worried about.
- He may surprise you or buy you a gift related to something you told him you like.
Greg Behrendt, author of He’s Just Not That Into You, confirms it:
“When someone remembers the small details you share, it’s a sign that they are not just listening, but genuinely interested in building a connection with you.”
10. He Puts Effort Into Planning Dates
How else would you know he likes you?
- He comes up with fun activities for your dates.
- He chooses based on your tastes and preferences.
- He doesn’t settle for the old Netflix and chill.
- He makes an effort to cook for you or make something for you.
- He plans unexpected things to make you feel special.
- He takes time to plan your outings and doesn’t leave things to chance.
- He makes reservations or bookings to plan ahead.
- He avoids doing the same things when you meet.
11. He is Aware of Your Boundaries and Respects Them
Another early dating sign he likes you is when he acknowledges and respects your boundaries. Not many guys do that, so if he does, he’s a catch!
Signs to look out for:
- As soon as he finds out you’re not comfortable with something, he immediately takes that into account.
- He doesn’t try to convince you or pressure you into doing something that you don’t want.
- He asks for your opinion and consent before he does something that might affect you or that includes you.
- He can take no for an answer.
12. He Got Better at Time Management to Be with You
Look, if you’re dating a man who sincerely likes you and wants to work on developing a happy relationship with you, you’ll know.
How? By asking yourself whether or not he prioritizes your time together.
If you conclude that he got better at managing his time since he’s been dating you and he already rearranged his schedule to make more time for you, that’s great!
And here’s something even better: When he’s with you, he’s fully there. He doesn’t pay attention to his phone and seems fully engaged in conversation. Does this sound like him?
13. He Cuddles and Stays Around After Intimacy
Does he like you or does he simply want to get in your pants?
Esther Perel, a relationship counselor, points you in the right direction:
“Cuddling post-intimacy or the willingness to wait speaks volumes about a man’s desire for a genuine and emotionally connected relationship, transcending mere physical attraction.”
So, if you haven’t had sex yet and he still displays some of the signs above, he must really like you!
The same goes for his post-intimacy behavior. If he sticks around and holds you in his arms after sex, he’s not afraid to get close to you.
14. He Expresses His Desire to Meet Your Close Ones
One Other Early Dating Sign He Likes You a Lot Is Related to His Willingness to Meet Your Parents, Siblings, and Friends.
Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a psychologist and Relationship Expert, puts it beautifully: “When a man expresses a genuine interest in meeting your inner circle, it signifies his respect for your relationships and his commitment to building a meaningful connection with you.”
A man who does that wants to get involved in your life. He is not planning to step away any time soon.
Moreover, if he expresses his desire before you ask him, that’s excellent! You are dating a guy with serious intentions.
15. He Talks About and Makes Plans for The Future
Want Another Proof He Likes You and Wants You in His Future?
Here’s what you should look out for:
Whether or not he…
- … mentions things he’d like to try with you someday.
- … talks about various couple’s things you could experience.
- … makes plans that are one or more months away.
- … expresses his desire to deepen your connection.
Summary
Knowing from the early stages of dating that you are dealing with a guy who likes you would be sweet, right?
Well, as you already know, it’s possible! You just have to look for the right signs.
Signs he is genuinely interested in you are when he makes an effort to connect, displays engaged body language, opens up, is vulnerable, and pays you lots of compliments.
On top of that, he flirts with you, comes up with fun and creative date ideas, tries to impress you, and makes time for you.
Can you relate? Do you find yourself in similar situations to the ones presented above?
To be sure, don’t forget to use your intuition! If you have a good feeling about him, you’re probably right!
