My crush would talk to me but now becomes quiet around me and sort of avoids me, is he shy?

[Anonymous]

I have liked this guy for about a year now and up until about a few weeks ago it seemed like he liked me back, I would see him and he'd usually say "Hey" or "How's it going?" and I would answer him and we'd go about our business.

Well a few weeks ago, I was over by this building that he came out of (we're both at a University) and well I had just seen him come out and I suddenly got nervous thinking he'd think I was stalking him so I turned and looked at him and he didn't seem bothered but I know I gave him a weird look, so after that he started avoiding me not bad just changing his path if he saw me walk towards him. He would also look down and look sad

Last week the 2 times I saw him he didn't change his path and one day he even smiled a bit and waved. Today I saw him and he looked at me then looked down immediately and as he walked by he whispered "hi"

I'm just really confused if he is shy and if he possibly likes me back? My problem is I'm shy too so I'm not big on saying hi first.

Updates

+1 y

I forgot to mention I have told this guy that I like him but that was in April and because of my shy nature I wrote it on the back of a picture I drew for him. I have given him 3 pictures already and the 2nd one was the one I wrote it on the back, he never seemed to bothered with that...


in fact the 3rd time he said to me that I'm (me) a good artist and he looked on the back as though I had written something the back which I didn't that time.

Updates

+1 y

Also I usually have had guys tell me right away they didn't like me when I've told them I liked them, which with this guy I told him about 6 months ago and I guess I'm surprised it took him this long, since usually I've been rejected immediately

[Almosthopelesscase]

Putting myself in his shoes, I would say he has noticed that you like him, maybe isn't sure, and is too shy and embarrassed to take any action.

It may not be guaranteed that he likes you back, but I would say it is likely.

Difficult though it is, if he is shy I think you will have to make some effort to meet him half way, perhaps? I know you say that you are also shy but if you like him you will have to make it easier for him or else nothing will happen. Try and say more than just hi to him next time you meet, maybe something funny, an observation about something going on nearby, the weather, anything really - just to break the ice and give him the opportunity to get to know you a little. It may take a few conversations but if you can keep it natural then things may progress in time.

[Asker]

I see I have tried little things, I forgot to mention I have told him that I like him but that was in April and due to my shy nature I wrote it on the back of a picture I drew for him. I have given him 3 pictures already and the 2nd one was the one I wrote it on the back, he never seemed to bothered with that... I'm guessing he saw it because when I gave him a 3rd picture I drew he looked at the back right away... I'm not sure if that was a good idea though...

[Asker]

For me to have written it instead of telling him. Also I usually have had guys tell me right away they didn't like me when I've told them I liked them, which with this guy I told him about 6 months ago and I guess I'm surprised it took him this long, since usually I've been rejected immediately

[Almosthopelesscase]

If I'm honest, I think that extra information alters my perception of the situation quite a bit. It is very unlikely that he doesn't realize how you feel given that you have told him. I suppose that it is possible he is still just not brave enough to act on it or it may be that he just isn't interested but doesn't want to hurt your feelings by saying so (helpful thuogh that would be). Maybe one last effort would be worth making or just leave it and move on? If you did make one last effort though

[Almosthopelesscase]

...it would need to be pretty direct, I think, in order for you to find out how he views you.

Again, from my perspective as a shy man, if a woman let me know how she felt and I didn't act that would only be because I wasn't interested because the fear is one of rejection. Once that is removed most men would make a move. Just ask yourself if what you have told him so far has left any room for doubt, if there might still be some in his mind because your messages were a little vague or cryptic

[Almosthopelesscase]

...(eg if you used terms such as 'I like you' which are safe for you because you don't over commit yourself but a shy man will still not act for fear that he is misinterpreting a friendly comment). If you really want him maybe you will have to go a little further and tell him so. That is easily said, I know. If you think that you have left little doubt already then you need to decide if it is worth just asking him out, hoping that he is just extremely short on confidence, but need to be prepared

[Almosthopelesscase]

...for the possibility of rejection.

If you can't stand that then I really would recommend moving on. That won't be easy when you have been interested in someone for several months, but will get easier, I promise. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Asker]

Yeah sorry about that I was trying to get this done quickly and left out information. OK I'll try being direct. I guess more of my problem is I've gotten to the point where when I have been direct I have gotten rejection quicker than not. Anyway thank you very much for your response it was helpful, I do want to be with this guys so I will try. Thanks again