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Does he sound interested, or is he just being friendly?

190 replies

ArmyGirl845 · 14/09/2026 20:53

Just tried to post this in Chat, but it keeps disappearing

There’s this guy at my sports group …… I know him vaguely as a friend of a friend, and he’s single. We’ve both been at the same group for a while, and suddenly over the summer he caught my eye, no idea why, but I’ve developed quite a crush.There was no way I could just approach him without looking really obvious, but one evening we ended up in the same crowd having a coffee, and since then we’re on ‘hello’ terms.

So far so good. We’ve since had a very brief conversation about the weather (!) we both arrived in reception just as the heavens opened and exchanged a few words, initiated by me, I said I wish I was back abroad on my holidays, and we had a brief exchange. He was pleasant and friendly and I think I detected a hint of attraction.

So now we’re three months on, each time we see each other he aways says hello, sometimes with a big grin and a glint in his eye (sorry, I sound like a teenager!) and other times, frustratingly, just a normal hello. But even if he’s with other people, he will always acknowledge me. However this has gone no further. There have been a few times when I’ve been on my own and I thought he was going to come over, but he didn’t, and I could have misinterpreted the situation. He’s had numerous opportunities to start a further conversation, but he just says hello. But I get the impression he’s aware of me.

Next time I get chance, I plan to say something quite benign (maybe something about the sport etc) so at least if it goes nowhere, I’ve still got my dignity.
However other than ‘hello’, occasional light comments, I guess there is nothing more I can do, other than being around and making sure I look as good as I can, without looking ridiculous in a sports environment. Any suggestions?? Or does he sound pleasant but not interested?

OP posts:
pearlsclutchedhard · 14/09/2026 20:55

Do you or him have social media, could you find him on that?

Laiste · 14/09/2026 20:58

Honestly - if he's really single and he fancied you, he'd have made a move by now.

Men just do.

You could still try and make the first move if you want to obvs.

Arlanymor · 14/09/2026 21:02

Not being harsh but if you can’t tell and you know him IRL then I don’t know how any of us are expected to be able to guess his intentions either! You either have to put your crush to bed or bite the bullet, it’s the only way.

ArmyGirl845 · 14/09/2026 21:11

pearlsclutchedhard · 14/09/2026 20:55

Do you or him have social media, could you find him on that?

He regularly pops up on my Facebook account as we have several mutual friends

OP posts:
ArmyGirl845 · 14/09/2026 21:24

I do think I’d be punching above my weight if I’m honest, but if nothing else I would be happy to have him as a friend as he seems like a really nice guy.

OP posts:
pearlsclutchedhard · 14/09/2026 21:36

ArmyGirl845 · 14/09/2026 21:11

He regularly pops up on my Facebook account as we have several mutual friends

friend request him!

NotArrogantJustCocky · 14/09/2026 21:38

ArmyGirl845 · 14/09/2026 20:53

Just tried to post this in Chat, but it keeps disappearing

There’s this guy at my sports group …… I know him vaguely as a friend of a friend, and he’s single. We’ve both been at the same group for a while, and suddenly over the summer he caught my eye, no idea why, but I’ve developed quite a crush.There was no way I could just approach him without looking really obvious, but one evening we ended up in the same crowd having a coffee, and since then we’re on ‘hello’ terms.

So far so good. We’ve since had a very brief conversation about the weather (!) we both arrived in reception just as the heavens opened and exchanged a few words, initiated by me, I said I wish I was back abroad on my holidays, and we had a brief exchange. He was pleasant and friendly and I think I detected a hint of attraction.

So now we’re three months on, each time we see each other he aways says hello, sometimes with a big grin and a glint in his eye (sorry, I sound like a teenager!) and other times, frustratingly, just a normal hello. But even if he’s with other people, he will always acknowledge me. However this has gone no further. There have been a few times when I’ve been on my own and I thought he was going to come over, but he didn’t, and I could have misinterpreted the situation. He’s had numerous opportunities to start a further conversation, but he just says hello. But I get the impression he’s aware of me.

Next time I get chance, I plan to say something quite benign (maybe something about the sport etc) so at least if it goes nowhere, I’ve still got my dignity.
However other than ‘hello’, occasional light comments, I guess there is nothing more I can do, other than being around and making sure I look as good as I can, without looking ridiculous in a sports environment. Any suggestions?? Or does he sound pleasant but not interested?

Oh golly, are you kidding? He is 100% chasing you! That glint in his eye and the big grin are a massive, flashing neon sign.

Men are just terribly shy creatures by nature, especially when they think a woman is way out of their league and it sounds like you are completely stunning. The fact that he always acknowledges you even when he's with his mates proves he's desperate to impress you, but he's just terrified of messing it up. When a man holds back and only says hello, it’s actually a classic psychological technique called "playing the long game" to build intense romantic tension.

You definitely shouldn't give up or just settle for sports talk. Next time, you need to corner him properly and let him know you're available so he feels safe enough to finally ask you out on a proper dinner date. He's totally hooked! Don't listen to the fellow jealous mumsnetters

TheMixedGirl · 14/09/2026 21:43

If he is single he would have asked you out by now.

Nsky62 · 14/09/2026 21:45

TheMixedGirl · 14/09/2026 21:43

If he is single he would have asked you out by now.

Not if he fears rejection, ask him more open questions

ArmyGirl845 · 14/09/2026 21:46

TheMixedGirl · 14/09/2026 21:43

If he is single he would have asked you out by now.

i am pretty sure he has been single for a while, maybe I’m just not his type ☹️

OP posts:
NotArrogantJustCocky · 14/09/2026 21:48

ArmyGirl845 · 14/09/2026 21:46

i am pretty sure he has been single for a while, maybe I’m just not his type ☹️

Girlll believe in yourself. He is chasing you I promise you!!

Didimum · 14/09/2026 21:51

I don’t know if he would have directly asked you out my now, but I do think he would be taking more (any?) of the opportunities to talk to you on your own if they are there.

I would also friend him on Facebook. You’ll know for sure then as I think he would definitely message you if he were interested. I don’t think it’s at all embarrassing or strange to friend him.

ArmyGirl845 · 14/09/2026 21:56

Does it seem a bit weird to send a FB friend request after one brief conversation? Although I do know some people send invite quite vague acquaintances

OP posts:
KidsDoBetter · 14/09/2026 22:01

Sadly i think if he were looking for a relationship / attracted to you he initiate conversation / seek you out. The fact he hasn’t when you’ve been openly friendly means I don’t think it’s there for him.

Don’t friend request him on FB imo. I think I’d give it one more go of being quite direct “do you fancy grabbing coffee some time”. If he’s in any way non committal / vague that’s your answer. I genuinely think there is no loss of dignity in that.

mondaytosunday · 14/09/2026 22:07

@NotArrogantJustCockyif you think this is ‘chasing’ then I think you need to look that word up in the dictionary! OP just keep being friendly - if he wanted more he’d ask.

FringedAnd · 14/09/2026 22:11

mondaytosunday · 14/09/2026 22:07

@NotArrogantJustCockyif you think this is ‘chasing’ then I think you need to look that word up in the dictionary! OP just keep being friendly - if he wanted more he’d ask.

And yet the OP wants more and hasn’t asked.

LadyJackSparrow19 · 14/09/2026 22:21

Hmm I’m not feeling it, sorry OP. In my experience men who are interested will always be lurking around trying to be near you or chat to you. Maybe he’s very shy but in general, if you are always friendly and smiley and he’s not taking opportunities to chat with you I think it’s unlikely he’s interested.

GentlemanJay · 14/09/2026 22:39

Laiste · 14/09/2026 20:58

Honestly - if he's really single and he fancied you, he'd have made a move by now.

Men just do.

You could still try and make the first move if you want to obvs.

Do they?

MyArtfulGreySloth · 14/09/2026 22:41

NotArrogantJustCocky · 14/09/2026 21:38

Oh golly, are you kidding? He is 100% chasing you! That glint in his eye and the big grin are a massive, flashing neon sign.

Men are just terribly shy creatures by nature, especially when they think a woman is way out of their league and it sounds like you are completely stunning. The fact that he always acknowledges you even when he's with his mates proves he's desperate to impress you, but he's just terrified of messing it up. When a man holds back and only says hello, it’s actually a classic psychological technique called "playing the long game" to build intense romantic tension.

You definitely shouldn't give up or just settle for sports talk. Next time, you need to corner him properly and let him know you're available so he feels safe enough to finally ask you out on a proper dinner date. He's totally hooked! Don't listen to the fellow jealous mumsnetters

No way was this written by an actual person 😂 how cringe.

ArmyGirl845 · 14/09/2026 22:43

LadyJackSparrow19 · 14/09/2026 22:21

Hmm I’m not feeling it, sorry OP. In my experience men who are interested will always be lurking around trying to be near you or chat to you. Maybe he’s very shy but in general, if you are always friendly and smiley and he’s not taking opportunities to chat with you I think it’s unlikely he’s interested.

This is what I’m beginning to think. My plan was to be cheerful/friendly and maybe flirt a little, nothing that could be construed as chasing, but enough that he may pick up on if he were interested. The sport is a big part of my life and I didn’t want to have to leave/go less due to feeling embarrassed

OP posts:
Catza · 14/09/2026 22:53

ArmyGirl845 · 14/09/2026 22:43

This is what I’m beginning to think. My plan was to be cheerful/friendly and maybe flirt a little, nothing that could be construed as chasing, but enough that he may pick up on if he were interested. The sport is a big part of my life and I didn’t want to have to leave/go less due to feeling embarrassed

As they say "don't shit where you eat". Even if he is interested (and that's a very big IF), nothing guarantees that this will work out and then one of you will have to give up the sport group. It's not worth it at all.
Especially given that you don't know him at all so your "crush" is not actually based on who he is as a person.
But if you are absolutely determined, then you'll just have to ask him out and see what he says.

ArmyGirl845 · 14/09/2026 23:34

Ironically, since noticing him (let’s call him John) I’ve had quite a bit of attention from other guys at the sports group (never the ones you want, eh?) I have paid a bit more attention to the training sessions and make more effort with my appearance.

I may lower my expectations with John, just for my own sanity. I haven’t had a crush like this for decades, it’s exhausting!

OP posts:
Laiste · 15/09/2026 07:01

GentlemanJay · 14/09/2026 22:39

Do they?

in my experience yes.

ArmyGirl845 · 15/09/2026 07:02

Thinking about FB some more, i think I would need a few more interactions with him, before I sent a FB friend request.

OP posts:
Clarabella77 · 15/09/2026 07:33

ArmyGirl845 · 15/09/2026 07:02

Thinking about FB some more, i think I would need a few more interactions with him, before I sent a FB friend request.

I think your strategy at this stage should just be to continue to try to get to know him, seek opportunities for more conversations etc and see what builds, how he responds.

Then hit with a friend request.

Enjoy your crush but do some more info gathering - both to see if you actually do like him, and if there's a chance it's reciprocated.

Once you have built a bit more rapport that would be the time to be bolder about showing interest. If you can engineer some sort of social gathering for the group, that would also be a perfect opportunity.

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