Sometimes, when we start liking someone, we try to show our interest with subtle gestures — an extra smile, an unexpected message, a comment that hints at something more. When that doesn’t work, we move on to much clearer signs. Even then, some guys are so clueless that not even a flashing neon sign would help. We try everything, yet they still don’t notice. And we’re left between laughing and feeling frustrated, wondering if we’re too subtle or if they’re just that oblivious.
Story1
My father-in-law had known my mother-in-law since childhood. He’s a doctor and was studying in Spain. She actually went with him and lived there while he was in school, and he had zero clue she liked him until one day she looked at him and said, “Sam, we’re getting married, aren’t we?” That’s when it finally clicked. She followed him halfway around the world, and he was still clueless. My wife and I knew we were getting married about six months in. It’s incredibly cute. © TrickyShare242 / Reddit
Story2
My now-wife and I were at a friend’s place for a kickback. When it was time to go to bed, we weren’t going to drive home. There was only one blanket. I let her have the blanket and the bigger couch. It took me an hour to realize she kept offering to share the blanket and the bigger couch in a non-platonic way. I kept saying it was fine and that I was comfortable where I was. If she had given up and stopped trying to convince me we could share the blanket, I have no idea where we’d be today. © UberTwinkle / Reddit
Story3
Chatting with him on Facebook every single day for three months. Inviting him to things. Giving him tickets to sports games. Three months later he grabbed my hand to help me off a curb and I didn’t let go. Suddenly he got it. Five years later we’re still together. © notnotaginger / Reddit
Story4
My MIL met my FIL when they worked at a pizza place as teens. She was into him, so she dropped hints for months, but he didn’t pick up on them. Once, she put Hershey kisses in the cooler and asked if he’d like his kisses cold. He said, “Actually, I prefer warm kisses,” so she said “okay” and kissed him. That was when he realized she liked him. She blushes when she tells the story, as she admits that was very unlike her, but her gut said to go for it. They’ve been married for 40 years. © Nikkomus / Reddit
Story5
My now-wife and her friend tried to get me to go out with both of them to a movie that I’d been talking about wanting to see for weeks. I declined (“I don’t want to be a third wheel”) but they said they already had tickets. I thought they were just being nice and I didn’t want to intrude in their girls’ night. I said they could return my ticket but “thanks so much anyway!” © rexregisanimi / Reddit
Story6
I literally wrapped my arms around him from behind and told him how cute I thought he was. Five years later, we reconnected and started dating. He told me, “I thought you were joking because you’re too pretty to want to be with me.” Being insecure back then, he convinced himself that he wasn’t good enough and that it must have been a prank. © paige120 / Reddit
Story7
When my now-girlfriend and I were just friends in the same friend group, we all used to hang out often. Every time we did, she would ask me if I wanted to meet her secretly after everyone left or if I wanted to sneak out with her to go somewhere. We’d often sneak out and grab an ice cream or something. My dense self didn’t get the hint, so one day, while we were having ice cream after sneaking away from our friends, she got really close to my face and said, “Sneaking around with you is so much fun. I wonder what more we could do to add some thrill between us.” I must have just replied with a “haha” or something.
It got to the point where we would talk about kissing (not each other, just in general) around our friends, and she would try to hold onto my shirt whenever we walked. Everyone knew but me. And when she told me this recently, I was like, “What!!! I thought you were just being a close friend!” Been with her for 2 years and counting. © beach-sound / Reddit
Story8
I once asked a guy if I could kiss him (we’d been hanging out in a way that was conducive to that) and he said yes. I kissed him. It was great. Then we just parted ways in a natural way. Three days later, this man calls me. He told a friend about the interaction and they had to point it out. Sir… I literally kissed you. © ImFireMario / Reddit
Story9
I had a female coworker ask me once if I could help her move her bed, which I thought was odd — it’s pretty doable with one person. I got to her house and saw she had an 18-year-old brother. I asked, “Why didn’t you ask him to help?” I moved the bed and then left. The next day at work, some of my female friends asked, “Did you get lucky?” I was confused and said, “No, I just moved her bed and left.” They all laughed at me. © maxxwell / Reddit
Story10
I once got yelled by my female coworker. She said, “Haven’t you noticed that for the last 2 months the first thing I do when I arrive is come to your desk and say hello? And that I don’t do that for anyone else?” I honestly hadn’t noticed. I did notice she always arrived later than me. That is the only thing I’d noticed. Honestly. Anyway after that little bit of frustration and yelling we did end up having a thing for a while. © Kriskao / Reddit
Story11
We snuggled all night watching a movie together. When he was leaving, I tried to kiss him goodbye, but he rejected it and drove away. I went back to my room to sulk. 10 minutes later he asks to meet me outside. I get outside, and he shouts in disbelief, “Wait, were you trying to kiss me? Does that mean you like me?” Boy had legit driven away and called his friend because he was confused and thought I was giving mixed messages about liking him or not. © ChangMinny / Reddit