Confusing mixed signals

[StrawberryLaces0]

I am friends with the dad of my girl's friend. We text a fair bit, about the kids, sometimes send jokes and banter. It's evident he cares a lot - always ends messages with kisses or a 😘 emoji. I just don't know if it's more and I'm reading into it, especially the emoji's.
My friends say I should just ask him, if only it was that simple. I worry that if I ask and it's no, that will change things.

In a way I can't move forwards and give any other a guy a chance because I'm always hoping something may happen here.

Is it possible for a guy to care and send xx 😘 and just be friends.

Imo any man that’s sending those texts is more than interested

In person he acts just like a friend and nothing more. We talk more in text, I guess it's easier to hide that way. Hence why I feel it's mixed signals. It's the classic I don't want to ask in case it's a no, and I'll feel stupid for misreading and things will feel awkward

Are the jokes and banter ever flirty? Maybe he is interested in you but more shy in person. Do you send any 😘 back? 😄

Yes....sometimes it's flirty. Yes I send 😘 back too. It's definitely the kiss emoji that's the confusing as I don't think a man would use it with someone he's not got a romantic interest in? But I could be wrong and maybe it's more of a caring thing.

It definitely sounds like he's interested. It could be that he's shy in person. I would perhaps try to push the flirting a little bit more when texting and see how he responds.

However, it could also be that he just enjoys the attention. If you're not prepared to ask him then you'll just have to see how things go.

I had a friend like that . He would add 2 or 3 kisses at the end of his messages, asked me out for a drink when I split up with XH, but when I made a move on him I think he was a bit taken by surprise and then backed off. Whether he had a change of heart or the kisses just didn’t mean what I thought, who knows.

So on their own I’d ignore xxx bit with the emoji too, it’s a less instinctive habit type thing, you have to actually look for an emoji to add rather than just press xx at the end.

I’d say proceed with caution! It looks promising but the fact that he’s not really flirty in real life could be more relevant than the texts.

I would also proceed with caution. It's not enough to go on IMO and could ruin the friendship by making things awkward.

In my experience men who are very demonstrative via text and just friendly in person, are game players who like to get ego strokes from women but don't actually want a real life intimate relationship.

By all means pursue him, but remember that words (texts) are exceptionally cheap things. Actions (how he behaves in person and especially in public) are what you should really be using to judge him by.

Action wise he does involve my kids a lot when his come to visit. He takes my daughter on trips with them and we've had whole days out together - we talk about lots of things..... except relationships!! 🙈

If he's interested he will make a move. i reckon he is enjoying the attention. Many men like the attention behind the safety of a phone/laptop but don't have the b@lls to actually do anything. I found this when using online dating. Blokes would message for days on end, being flirty etc, then when I suggested meeting up, they would disappear.
If I were you, I would stop the flirting on text and see if that prompts him to actually do something. Don't hang around for him if he's not got the guts to ask you out.

Hi Strawberry. I have a friend who sends me messages with kisses, affectionate emojis and writes 'I adore you'. But we are friends only. I live in France though and I guarantee that French men don't communicate quite the same as British men.

Thanks. He's not French ☺️ And yes possibly shy. Can't see him chatting this way to many ladies....I definitely know he cares. That's evident. I just need to know if it's more than just a friend. A male friend has said he wouldn't send 😘 emojis to a girl he wasn't interested in romantically. I am going a lot of the texts!!
Ok....so I don't think I can go further without saying something can I. Either that or I leave it and wonder.
What can I say to find out ...without it seeming full on and keeping my pride intact in case of rejection and the 'we're just friends' line?
Unfortunately I think it would ruin things going forwards if it was a no, I wouldn't be able to text like we do anymore.

If you don't wanna ask him why not see if your friend can find out if he likes you more then a friend she could say something like I noticed your really close to (you) you look good together would you wanna be more then a friend to her and see what he says it might help you

Ok.....he's just come to pick up his kids from mine....hugged me goodbye and I kissed his cheek. Feel all giddy.....I really like him and I'm going to be absolutely devastated if it's not the same...

I think you should text him something like 'what a busy day. Once the kids are in bed I think I need a long soak in the bath 😉'

It's subtle, but could come across as flirty... and opens the door for him to flirt back if he wishes

I've asked the question. Now I wait until it's seen tomorrow to find out !

What did you say??

I asked if he thought we could ever be more than friends. One way or another I need to know than second guess.

Well good on you for having the confidence to do it. I personally would have worded it differently incase he thinks you mean FWB and gets the wrong idea. Keep us updated with what he responds.

He started off with ....that's a tough one...then launched into valuing our friendship and the kids....that he's in a good place...and that perhaps anything else would rock the boat. Lastly #liveinthe moment.
So that's a no I'm taking it ...
At least I know and can move on not wondering what if..

Sorry it wasn't better news.
His loss, you sound really nice.

Ah well his loss. Sounds like he's one that just likes the flirt/attention.

I have male mates who put lots of kisses and emojis. SOME men are just really cute like that, even with their female friends. I think the moral here is emojis aren't any indicator of anything much. That's the case for my dd who's 15 and analyses every text with csi precision and evidently the same for us grown ups. It's 50/50 and could go either way basically. But good on you for having the guts to guts to the chase.