It's no surprise that a lot of guys aren't the greatest communicators.  Telling someone - with words - how you really feel about them is scary for everyone, but especially scary for dudes because a lot of films, tv and stories they read growing up featured those stoic and silent of gentleman-types that didn't share their inner thoughts, even with the women they like.  As a result, guys often feel more comfortable communicating their unconscious feelings with their actions, rather than with words.

So pay close attention to the 15 signs below, the subtle behavioral changes that will seem to magically bubble up in seconds when a guy is found around a girl he is trying to impress.  These should be viewed as a window of opportunity to peer into someone's deeper feelings, cause our mind does some pretty funny things when we are trying to catch the attention of a special someone.

16 They will gently make fun and tease you about your quirks and personality

Your mom's advice was right; when a guy is into you he will make fun and tease you. It obviously seems counter-intuitive, but when a guy wants to make an impression he will subconsciously feel the need to make fun and tease you. A sure sign of a guy who's trying to impress is a sudden lack of maturity. This can often take form in light and gentle teasing about your little quirks and personality. Don't take it to heart and don't be offended, this is nothing but a good sign. Personally, it's how I relate to people, girls can also tease when they like someone. This behavior isn't only reserved for guys. So don't be afraid to serve it right back at him. He will appreciate it. Have fun!

15 They will take any opportunity to flex and show off their physical strength

When men are trying to impress, they will take any little opportunity to show off their physical strength. This is because guys are socialized to believe that woman will instantly melt at the first sign of a bulging and defined muscle.  What can I say, it's kind of true.  If their friends suddenly get involved it becomes a full-blown flexing competition, then that's an even more obvious sign.  Nothing screams testosterone like a spontaneous arm wrestling match, for example.  Keep your eye open for even subtle signs of showing off physical strength, like a subtle arm flex or "accidentally" showing off of washboard abs.  Most people don't lift their t-shirt up to their chest when they're casually stretching.  Only if he's trying to impress.  It worked though, didn't it?

14 They will amp up the risk-taking factor and to show you that they are fearless

There is something inexplicably sexy about a guy who will intentionally put himself in the face of danger.  It's even more attractive if he's doing it to catch your attention.  Dudes know that this typically male feature get's the ladies to pay attention, and they are likely to deploy this strategy when an opportunity arises. This can manifest in many different forms, a common one is reckless driving To Fast To Furious style.  Although this is not the most attractive way to display risk-taking behavior, dudes will definitely try anything to show you that they like a little adrenaline pumping through their veins.  I must admit that even if it comes across as a little immature, it's nice to know that someone is willing to risk their safety to impress you. Nothing says love like a concussion or a couple broken bones.

13 They will make direct eye contact and hold it for a heartbeat longer than normal

You will know on a deep and visceral gut level when a guy is trying to impress you because he will use his eye contact to convey interest.  There are several different levels of eye-contact - from full-blown veracious sexual attraction to friendly and courteous - each one programmed by years of human evolution to subtly convey varying degree and levels of interest.  You will instantly know when a guy is unconsciously using the type that is designed to impress.  The turn their body to face you and start straight into both your eyes; like they are trying to take a deep look into your soul. It's powerful stuff.  Consider yourself a lucky lady if you're on the receiving end of such a stare, it doesn't come around very often.

12 Their voice will drop lower and they'll speak more deliberately than normal

A low and deep voice signals high testosterone levels in a man.  And of course, this hormone - although invisible to the human eye -  is the very thing which drives our real-life tangible attractions. It's kinda crazy that a microscopic thing has so much power over us and the decisions that we make.  When it comes to guys, it seems like they subconsciously know this, and will drop their voices down an octave or two when they are on an attractive girl.  Although it's very subtle and done outside of conscious awareness, pay attention to the tale-tell sign of attraction.  Also, pay close attention for slow and deliberate speech, when guys want to impress they will be careful to edit what they say and make sure to speak in an obvious and intentional way.

11 They will take up a lot of physical space by making large gestures with their arms

I like to play a game when I'm on the bus at a bar, or cafe, or basically any public space where people are talking and socializing.  I put my headphones in and scan the room and try to decrypt people's body language when they are talking to each other, and do my best to guess the nature of their relationship.  With enough practice as an outside observer, it becomes extremely easy to make accurate snap judgments about the connection between two people.  One DEAD give away of attraction is exaggerated and "loud" body language.  When a guy is trying to impress a girl, he will gesticulate excessively during conversation basically unconsciously take up a lot of physical space.  Show them the Alpha male side. I'm pretty sure I've seen some chimpanzees do the same thing at the zoo. That's how basic and primitive this tendency is.

10 When in a group they will try to dominate the conversation by interrupting or speaking over others

Similar to how guys will take up a lot of physical space with their body when they are trying to impress, they will do the same thing with their voice and words.  In a social context, a guy who is trying to impress will attempt to dominate over a group with language.  I'm positive you have seen this go down IRL.  This looks like speaking loudly over other people, interrupting them, maybe even putting down other people's point of view, it all depends on how talkative he is at baseline. But the basic principle stays the same.  He is simply trying to assert himself within a group of friends to impress you.  Although this behavior can sometimes come across as arrogant and rude,  take it as a compliment, he's just trying to catch your attention.

9 Their immature joke-cracking skills will increase exponentially

When a guy is trying to impress he will go from grow-up man to jittery pre-pubescent teen within fractions of a second.  There is a direct positive correlation between how immature a guy acts and how much he likes you. That because guys are not great at direct communication, so they prefer to act out how they feel rather than saying it directly. Basically, an attraction will be disguised as fart humor, stupid jokes, and teasing. I common sign is when a guy suddenly starts cracking immature jokes, making a dumb impression and just being a plain old goofball around you - then the chances he finds you attractive, and he's trying to catch your attention. Lucky you! I consider it a big compliment when a guy will start acting like a 12-year-old boy because I know that it really means he's trying to be playful and show that he's interested without having to say it directly.

8 They will bring up stories and anecdotes about their life they know will make them stand out

Sometimes even the most modest guys will become a bit of a show-off around a girl they like, it's just science.  This may seem like it's a conscious and deliberate choice, but it's not always the case. Sometimes - especially if the guy is more of the quiet type- he will feel compelled to openly brag about his skills and accomplishments when he wants to impress.  It's almost as if the words bubble up without his control while he's probably thinking to himself "Wow, I sound like an arrogant jerk." but he can't help but tell that story that makes him look like a knight in shining armor.  Usually, these stories are pretty effective to catch attention, and that why guys continue to use this tactic because it's successful.

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6 They will dress up more often and make extra effort to align their appearance with yours

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, a sure sign that someone is interested in the subtle changing of smell, appearance, and clothing.  This behavior happens above conscious awareness, though.  For example, when you know that you will see a guy you're trying to impress when you're getting ready you will make a deliberate choice to pick a top or dress that makes look like a million bucks.  The part that happens more unconsciously is trying to dress and present yourself in a way that you think he will like. In other words, you'll dress up as the girl you THINK he's into.  Dudes definitely do this too, and it can be subtle, so pay close attention to the details.  Do you wear black all the time, and slowly he is starting to wear more dark colors than usual.  He could be trying to indirectly impress you and dress like the guy he thinks you want him to be.

5 They will take interest and begin to show curiosity in your hobbies and interests

A great way to impress someone is to make them think that you like all the same things they do. Or at least a lot of guys think so. Because a classic sign that a guy is trying to impress is that he will show a sudden curiosity for your hobbies and interests.  Even go so far as to dabble in these hobbies and interests himself, even when your not there, so that he can bring it up the next time you hang out.  This desire is triggered under conscious awareness and will manifest as action taken towards participating in these types of activities. Once again, take it as a compliment and not clinginess or anything else, just means that he wants to get to know you better.

4 They will show with body language that their interest is directed towards you

When guys are trying to impress their body language will say everything that they are too afraid to say in words. Sometimes men don't like to say things directly, so they rely on their body to do all the talking.  When a guy deliberately faces you or points his feet towards you, that is generally a really good sign.  Another common one is leaning in when talking to you, or light touching on the arm or shoulder to make an instant connection.  All of this is done by our monkey brains though. Basically, when you feel attracted to someone it's like there is a force inside of you guiding this behavior.  It's a great feeling to be on the giving and receiving the end of it.  So if you notice his body language perk up around you, take note, he could be trying to communicate something much deeper.

3 They will immediately offer help before you even have to ask for it

When guys are trying to impress they will subconsciously be driven to offer a helping hand and anticipate when you will need it. Always judge a man on his actions, not words.  When a guy goes out of his way to do something nice and thoughtful for you, without even having to ask, you have a sure sign that he is trying to impress you. This may seem like a conscious decision on his part, but this isn't entirely the case.  These behaviors feel almost magnetic and outside our control when we are struck by sudden attraction.  When men are attracted a storm will begin to brew beneath the surface and will manifest in real life as these types of kind, selfless and genuine behaviors. And nothing feels better than being on the receiving end of that energy.

2 When you talk about yourself they will genuinely listen closely and attentively

We live in a world where we have a million things competing for our attention at any given second.  It's crazy how we give so much meaning to this intangible thing, even going so far as to break up people's relationships.  How many times do you hear people complain "Well, they just don't pay attention to me like they used to."  It happens a lot. Making the mysterious mental energy waves we call  "attention"  one of the most precious resources of our time.  When it comes to romance, how much attention a person pays to you is the best metric for measuring interest levels. The longer someone can sustain their attention on you - without distraction - the more they are trying to impress.  When someone is genuinely interested, they will - without a doubt - pay close attention to you without any technological distractions.

1 They will laugh loudly and expressively at all your jokes, even if they're not really funny

When you like someone it's natural to laugh at their jokes, even if they are not that funny at all.  Crazy giggles are a sure sign of someone who is crushing hard. When it comes to dudes, the same rule applies.  Even if you don't think of yourself as that funny of a girl, if you notice that he seems to be laughing or giggling excessively when he is around you, then that is just a way that he is trying to communicate his interest. If you're not sure, this is a great way to test someone's interest levels.  Just crack a couple silly jokes or tease them a little, if they react by laughing in a way that is grossly disproportionate to the funniness of the joke, chances are, he's into you.  Oh, you!

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About The Author

Michelle (11 Articles Published)

Canada-native, Psychology graduate, obsessed with figuring out why we do the things that we do.

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