It's funny how you can tell when someone likes someone else, but never when someone likes you.
We go through so many phases of love, you know? When you foray into your teenage years and start liking a boy for the first time, these feelings, they are so new to you, you don't really know what to do with them. Feelings of thinking boys are
so gross not a year ago, suddenly gets taken over by a fuzzy, warm feeling that lights you up every time you see him smile. Then you wonder if he likes you back, whether he cares for you. Spending some time around the opposite sex, you slowly learn to recognize certain tell-tale signs.
Fast forward past your teenage years and the early puppy love(s) to your 20s and more mature relationships. These signs don't really change much―the dynamics and the ways of expression change. They change according to the stage of a relationship and the kind of relationship that you're in. What are these signs and how are you supposed to learn to recognize them? Let's take you through some of the feelers that he throws your way and show you how to zero in on the sure signs that he cares about you.
Signs He Cares for You
It is said that men are not good at expressing their feelings. They may not voice the words
'I love you' or
'I care about you'. Instead, they are more likely to send cues to express the same. And what might these cues be? Thankfully, there are several of those, and in the following section, we will list out the most obvious and important ones.
P. S. - It is very important to understand that depending on the kind of relationship that you share with him, the signs will change. The dynamics of a relationship define the kind of feelers, cues, and signs that will come your way. Also, when we talk about caring, we assume that it is not merely attraction, and that you know each other, and are friends, maybe.
The Earliest Signs
In the earliest stages of when you don't really know him all that well and you're just starting to understand him, wondering if he likes you and cares about you, keep a lookout for these signs.
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He maintains eye contact whenever the two of you speak.
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He is in rapt attention whenever you're speaking, either in a group or just the two of you. He will hang onto every word that you say.
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He smiles at you every time you look at each other across the room or pass each other in the hallway. And it's a genuine smile, not one that is thrown in as a part of social etiquette.
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He looks for opportunities to talk to you and spend time with you.
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He always helps when you're carrying heavy books, or need help with something―anything.
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He looks for excuses to call you and extends the phone call as much as he can.
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He will inquire about your health, an event that you were a part of, or your plans―he will remember things that you mentioned in passing maybe, and then ask about them.
Signs When You're Friends/Dating/In a Relationship
As you make your way into the next stage of a relationship―it could be anything from being really, really good friends, to dating, to being a couple―the dynamics change. You now share a better bond, and with that, the ways of showing that he cares about you will undergo changes as well. The following are some of the ways in which he's showing you that he cares for you without saying it in those exact words.
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A guy who cares will make the time for you, sometimes even leaving his things aside.
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He will treat you with respect and give your needs and desires importance. For example, if he's really in the mood for an action flick, but knowing that you are not a fan, he will flip the channel to something you both can enjoy.
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He listens to you patiently when you complain, like incessant complaining, the kind that is really
girlfriend territory ... but he listens.
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When he knows that you're having a rough day or are not feeling well, he will message or call to ask how you're doing.
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Say you've had a really stressful day at work, he might do some random things to show you that he cares―he might order in dinner, draw you a bath, or take you out.
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When you guys are out drinking with friends, he will keep an eye out for you, checking to see that you're pacing yourself and making sure you're safe.
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After a late night, he will make sure that you get home safe―either he will drop you home himself or ask someone to do it. And then call to make sure you've reached.
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He will always have your back.
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When someone puts you down or says something bad about you, he will defend you.
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When he's out on a trip or a walk to the market, he picks up random things like a book or a scarf or a candy that is your favorite just because he thought of you.
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He will remember what you like, like the joints that you like to eat at, or something that you like doing and he will want to do those things with you. In fact, he will be the one to make those suggestions.
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He may not message or call you 10 times a day, but he will remember when you have an important event, like an interview and call to wish you.
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If he really cares about you and wants you to be a part of his life, he will introduce you to his friends and family.
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Your mood affects his mood―when you're sad, he is not at ease either and when you're happy, he's happy as well.
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He wants good things to happen for you and he always encourages you to try newer things and challenge yourself.
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He will show you streaks of possessive behavior when another guy flirts or hits on you.
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You will feel absolutely secure with him. Like the feeling that if something were to happen, you can always depend on him for support.
Men won't express it, but they will definitely show it. And if any of these signs are anything to go by, you will know that he truly does care for you. Use these instances listed above to sharpen your radar and understand the ways in which he may choose to express that he cares. Of course, since every relationship is different and every relationship will be guided by different ways of expression, it is up to you to dwell deeper and understand that―for example―a call is much, much more than
just that.
