It’s heartbreaking when a guy you really like seems to see you as a friend.
After all, who wants to make a move and risk rejection?
No thanks.
But at the same time, it’s equally frustrating to stay in limbo, not knowing where you stand.
In case you are not sure, here are fifteen telltale signs that he sees you as nothing more than a friend.
12 Signs He Only Sees You As A Friend
1. He’s not interested in hearing about your love life
A guy who is romantically interested in you will be curious about your love life because he wants to know if he stands a chance with you.
He would want to know who you are dating or whether or not you are in a relationship.
But he won’t be curious about your love life if he sees you as a friend.
Sure, he’ll listen if you need someone to advise you on a relationship, but not that he’s interested in filling that space of your life.
2. He has never asked you out on a date
Don’t get me wrong.
I’m not saying that if he asks you out on a date, he’s head over heels in love with you.
But if he’s never once asked you out on a date—not even for coffee or a drink, he’s probably just looking for friendship.
If a guy wants you romantically, he will make it known—by asking you out on a date.
So if you’re constantly being asked out on dates and he’s not, he may enjoy your company, but he doesn’t view you as someone he wants to pursue a relationship with.
3. He talks about other girls in front of you
If you’re wondering whether or not a guy sees you as just a friend, one of the biggest signs is that he talks about other girls in front of you.
He might not be doing it on purpose, but it indicates that he doesn’t see you in a romantic way.
After all, why would he want to risk making you feel jealous or left out?
He’s probably not even aware that he’s doing it, but it’s a surefire way to tell that he sees you as platonic friend material.
So if you’re looking for something more, you might want to look elsewhere.
If he did have feelings for you, he would be worried about how this might make you feel and whether or not it would push you away from him emotionally.
4. He acts more like your brother than your boyfriend
He’s always joking around with you and giving you a hard time.
He knows when you’ve had a bad day.
He’s there to hug you when you need it and a shoulder to cry on when things get tough.
He knows how to make you laugh when you’re feeling down and is always there for you when you need him.
Not that these are bad; after all, these seem like what a good boyfriend would do.
But the problem is that he does these things for you out of obligation rather than love or desire.
So, you feel like he acts more like your brother than your boyfriend.
5. He doesn’t try to impress you with his possessions or his accomplishments
A guy who is interested in a woman wants to impress her.
Maybe with his accomplishments, possessions, character traits, jokes, or looks.
But this guy doesn’t feel the need to put on a show with you because he’s so comfortable around you, just as a friend would.
6. He pays you compliments, but they’re not romantic
If he’s only interested in being your friend, he’ll likely pay you compliments that don’t have anything to do with romance.
He likes your shoes.
He thinks your hair looks great today.
He loves how much you know about the history of the world.
He likes that you are smart.
His compliments are just friendly, like he would give the same compliment to any of his friends.
There is no romantic undertone to it.
7. He doesn’t get jealous when you talk about spending time with other guys
Generally, jealousy is an innate emotion we feel when we feel like we’re going to lose someone important to us or something we have.
So if your guy friend doesn’t feel jealous when you talk about hanging out with other guys or going on dates, it’s likely because he doesn’t see you in that romantic light.
He may just see you as a close buddy with whom he enjoys spending time and nothing more.
8. He calls you dude, buddy, or man
If he calls you by a nickname like “buddy,” “dude,” or “man,” it’s likely because that’s how he sees you – as a friend.
He may not mean anything by it, but it’s a sign that he doesn’t see you in a romantic light.
Of course, some guys use these terms to show affection, but if he only calls you more by these nicknames than your real name or a more affectionate name, it’s probably because that’s how he sees you.
9. He doesn’t get upset with you when you cancel plans at the last minute
If you cancel plans with your friends or family at the last minute, they’re usually pretty understanding.
But if you do it with a guy who likes you, he’s more likely to get upset.
That’s because he was looking forward to spending time with you, and when you cancel, it feels like a personal rejection.
So if your guy friend doesn’t mind when you cancel plans, or if he’s even the one who cancels on you regularly, it’s a sign that he sees you as a friend.
10. He’s always dating other people
If he’s always dating other people, he’s not looking for a relationship with you.
If he were, then he wouldn’t be dating someone else at the same time.
11. He doesn’t flirt with you physically and via texts
When a guy likes you, he will want to flirt with you.
He’ll find ways to tease you and make you laugh.
He might even send you playful or suggestive texts.
But if your guy friend isn’t flirty with you in person or over text, it’s likely because you guys don’t have chemistry.
12. He has never tried to kiss you
If your guy hasn’t tried to kiss you yet, he might just see you as a friend.
That’s because he doesn’t want to ruin the friendship.
He knows that if he tried to kiss you and it didn’t work out, he’d lose you as a friend.
A guy who likes you will want to find any excuse to touch or be close to you.
So if he’s never tried to kiss you, even when it would have been appropriate, it’s likely because he doesn’t view you as anything more than a friend.
Conclusion
Some guys are just friends.
They’re not interested in dating you, and they’re not trying to be mean.
They just happen to like spending time with you.
If it’s what you want, that’s fine.
But if it’s not what you want, here are some things you can do about it:
- You can stay friends with this guy or let him go if you can’t cope with just being friends.
- You can tell him how you feel and ask him if he feels the same way (things might get awkward between you after), or keep your mouth shut and hope he gets the hint.
- But whatever you do, don’t force yourself on him because you’ll regret it.
If he’s not interested in dating you, surely there is someone else out there for you.
Keep putting yourself out there and meeting new people.
If your guy friend is a really good friend, you should cherish your friendship with him and not ruin it.
Good friends are hard to come by in this selfish and wicked world.