12 Signs He's Waiting For You to Make a Move

Navigating the early stages of a romantic relationship can be tough. It’s a tricky balance between expressing your interest and not wanting to come on too strong.

But what happens when you’re not sure if the other person is waiting for you to make a move or if they’re just not that into you?

The focus of this article is to help you decipher the signs that suggest a guy is waiting for you to make a move.

We’ll delve into the psychology behind why guys might wait for you to take the lead, and we’ll offer some tips and tricks for how to make a move if you’re interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with him.

But before we go into the signs, let’s talk about a few reasons why some guy would wait for you to make a move first.

Why Some Guys Wait For You To Make A Move

1. Fear of rejection:

One of the main reasons why some guys might wait for you to make a move is because they’re afraid of being rejected. By waiting for you to make a move, they can gauge your interest in them before putting themselves out there.

2. Shyness:

Some guys might be naturally shy or introverted, making it difficult for them to take the initiative in romantic situations. They might be waiting for you to make a move so that they don’t have to step out of their comfort zone.

3. Lack of confidence:

If a guy doesn’t have a lot of confidence in his ability to attract a partner, he might wait for you to make a move rather than risk rejection or embarrassment.

4. Respect for your autonomy and boundaries:

Some guys might wait for you to make a move out of respect for your autonomy and boundaries. They might want to give you the space to express your feelings and desires without feeling like they’re imposing themselves on you.

He doesn’t want to pressure you into anything or make you feel uncomfortable. So, he waits for you to signal that you’re ready to take things to the next level, rather than assuming that you’re on the same page as him.

5. They’re looking for a more equal partnership:

In some relationships, guys might prefer to have a more equal and balanced dynamic where both partners take an active role in pursuing each other. By waiting for you to make a move, they might be signaling that they want a more balanced relationship where both partners take the initiative.

[Also read: 10 Subtle Signs People Find You Very Charming]

Signs He’s Waiting For You To Make A Move

Now that we’ve explored some of the common reasons why a guy might be waiting for you to take the lead, let’s get into the signs that could indicate his interest.

1. Shy or reserved around you

Being shy or reserved around you can be a sign that he’s interested but may be waiting for you to take the lead.

This could mean that he’s hoping for you to initiate a conversation, ask him out on a date, or make some other kind of gesture that indicates you are interested in pursuing a relationship.

One of the most noticeable signs of shyness or reserve is a tendency to avoid eye contact or appear nervous or hesitant in social situations. It might include avoiding conversation, staying quiet or withdrawn, or seeming uncomfortable or uneasy when around you.

He might also show some unnoticeable signs like blushing, stuttering when speaking to you, fidgeting, avoiding physical contact, or struggling to maintain/keep you engaged in a conversation.

2. Always available

He purposely stays available to see if you take the initiative to pursue a romantic or personal relationship.

By staying accessible and making himself readily available, he’s signaling that he’s open to the possibility of a relationship and is waiting for you to show interest.

You’ll notice that he consistently responds to your messages or calls promptly, it may suggest that he’s interested in you and is eager to communicate with you. He can also initiate conversations frequently or ask to spend time with you.

3. Being supportive and attentive

Being supportive and attentive are positive traits that indicate he cares about you and is interested in your life. For example, he may go out of his way to help you with something or listen attentively when you speak.

He may remember important details about your life and show genuine concern for your well-being.

These actions can however just mean that he is a friend and a good one at that. But if he seems to be putting in more effort than necessary to be supportive or attentive, this could be a sign that he’s interested in you romantically and waiting for you to make a move.

4. Asking personal questions

When someone asks personal questions, it can indicate that they are interested in getting to know you better.

In the context of a potential romantic relationship, if he is asking personal questions, it’s a sign that he’s waiting for you to make a move or show interest in him.

By asking personal questions, he’s allowing you to share information about yourself and potentially show that you are interested in him as well. This can be a way of testing the waters and seeing if there is mutual interest before making a more direct move.

Firstly, you may detect a shift in the conversation. He may steer the conversation away from small talk and towards more meaningful topics.

For example, asking about your family, hobbies, or interests. And to show that he’s genuinely interested in you, he’ll likely pay close attention to what you are saying and may ask follow-up questions to learn more.

5. Complimenting you often

Complimenting you can be a sign of genuine admiration and appreciation, without any ulterior motives, and can also be a subtle way to indicate interest and encourage you to take action.

One of the obvious ways to know that he’s using this to get your attention is the frequency and consistency. He’ll consistently and frequently compliment you on your appearance, personality, or achievements.

And these compliments will be genuine and sincere, rather than forced. But if they seem out of place or inappropriate, it may suggest that he is using them as a way to manipulate or control you, so watch out.

6. Bringing up shared interests

He may use your shared interest as a common ground to establish a connection with you. It can also be a way to initiate a conversation with you especially when he’s not so good at picking topics to talk about.

For instance, if you’ve mentioned your love for hiking, he could start bringing up new trails or gear that he’s used. This will make you more interested and may prolong your discussion.

7. Checking in on you

He reaches out to see how you are doing or what you are up to. This could be in the form of a text message, phone call, or even a face-to-face conversation.

The fact that he’s regularly checking in on you could be a sign that he’s interested in you and wants to maintain contact. To figure out if his intentions are merely platonic friendship or a romantic relationship, consider the nature of the dialogue whenever he checks in.

Are your conversations primarily focused on casual topics, or do you find yourselves discussing deeper or more personal issues?

If he’s making an effort to get to know you on a deeper level and share his thoughts and feelings with you, it could be a sign that he is interested in you romantically.

8. Asking about your relationship status

To know if you’re available and potentially interested in dating or pursuing a romantic relationship, he may ask about your relationship status.

He may be direct with his approach and simply ask if you are single, or he may be more subtle and try to find out through conversation or social media. He may also ask mutual friends or acquaintances for information about your relationship status.

9. Inviting you to do things with him

In a bid to spend more time with you, he may invite you to engage in some activities with him. He may ask you to be his project partner or to accompany him to an event he’s mandated to go to but dislikes, so he doesn’t get bored or anxious.

He may also casually ask you to join him for lunch and end up paying for your meal. He may do all these in an attempt to spend more time with you and to give you hints to make a move.

[Also read: 10 Reasons Why He’s Into You So Soon]

10. Seeking your opinion or advice

If he’s seeking your opinion or advice on a topic that he’s been struggling with, he may simply be looking for support and guidance from someone he trusts.

On the other hand, if he’s asking for your opinion or advice on a decision that directly affects both of you, it could be a sign that he’s looking for you to take the lead and make the first move.

For example, if you are both interested in each other romantically but have not yet expressed your feelings, he may be asking for your opinion on a topic related to dating or relationships as a way to gauge your interest and possibly prompt you to take action.

11. Initiating physical contact

This can be a way for him to gauge your interest and see if you are receptive to his advances. By touching you in a subtle way, such as a light touch on the arm or a brush of the hand, he’s trying to see how you respond.

If you respond positively and engage with him, he may interpret this as a sign that you are interested in him and feel more confident about making further moves.

But if he doesn’t make any further moves after initiating contact, it could mean that he’s waiting for you to show interest in him as well.

12. Opening up to you

When we are attracted to someone, we naturally want to build a deeper connection with them. By opening up and sharing personal information, we can create a sense of intimacy and trust that can help to foster this connection.

By sharing personal stories or feelings that he may not have shared with others before, he may use this as a way of displaying emotional vulnerability with you and to see how you’ll respond to his feelings.

Tips For How To Make A Move

If you’ve determined that he’s waiting for you to make a move, you might be wondering how to go about it. Making the first move can make you a little nervous, but it’s also an exciting experience.

It’s easy to get caught up in your thoughts and worries when it comes to making a move. Try to stay present and focused on the moment, and don’t overthink things too much.

Here are some tips and tricks to help you make a move with confidence.

1. Start small:

If you’re feeling nervous about making a big move, start with something small like initiating a conversation or suggesting a casual hangout. This can help you build momentum and gauge his interest before taking things to the next level.

If you’re struggling to come up with ways to initiate a conversation or plan a date, try finding common interests that you can bond over. This can help you establish a connection and build rapport.

2. Use body language:

Body language is a powerful way to communicate your interest without having to say anything. Make eye contact, smile, and touch him lightly on the arm or shoulder to show that you’re interested.

3. Use humor:

Humor is a great way to break the ice and make someone feel comfortable. Consider using playful banter or joking around to show your interest.

4. Be direct:

If you’re feeling brave, consider being direct and expressing your feelings outright. This can be scary, but it’s also the most straightforward way to communicate your interest.

5. Take the initiative:

Don’t be afraid to take the lead when it comes to planning dates or initiating physical contact. This can show that you’re confident and assertive, which can be very attractive.

6. Pay attention to his response:

As you make a move, pay attention to how he responds. Is he reciprocating your interest? Is he pulling away? This can help you gauge whether he’s on the same page or not.

Final words

If you find yourself in a situation where a guy seems to be waiting for you to make a move, don’t be afraid to take the lead. Ask him out, start a conversation, or take whatever other steps feel right to you.

Similarly, challenge yourself to be more confident and assertive in your dating life. Don’t wait around for someone else to make the first move – take charge of your happiness.

I’d like to know your opinion on the following issues by answering these few questions.

• What does it say about our society that men are still expected to take the lead in romantic relationships, and women are often penalized for being too forward?

• Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to conform to gender roles, and how can we break free from these expectations?

• Have you ever missed out on a great relationship because you were too afraid to make the first move?

Attraction Diary