How to progress with a shy guy?

[Anonymous]

There's a shy guy that I like I think likes me back. He stares when I'm not looking and always facing me in the classroom/cafeteria. He also uses my name a lot, loses train of thought, stutters, and touches his face talking to me. He also put his leg against my leg and held it there for about 15 minutes once while we were studying. He also waits for me to leave the classroom then follows me out which is kinda weird. However, we only study together and it's awkward when we run into each other outside of class/studying. How should I progress things with this shy guy? Should I wait for him to make the moves and just be receptive?

[CallMeDave]

My guess is that he either doesn't know what to do next or is terrified of making a move and being rejected.

What I think I'd do in your situation is to add a little bit of personal conversation to your studying. Share some things you like to do. Find out some things he likes to do. If you find anything you both like, suggest doing it together. If you don't, pick something he likes that you would be willing to try and ask him to tell you more about it and if he'd be willing to help you do it.

The key is to stay in his comfort zone at first. Work with things he feels comfortable with. Once it's clear to him that you like him, maybe he'll open up a little and gain some confidence but it might take time. He might be afraid of doing something wrong, so if he does something weird or awkward don't criticize him for it or that could embarrass him and scare him off.

[freshjulie]

If he's shy than he probably thinks about how to get with a lot. And what you see him doing is probably the outcome of a lot of thinking. So you should encourage him by smiling at him and appreciating his gestures. Him being a guy he surely still wants to feel that he has some control of the situation, but considering everything that you see him doing I think it would be good if you took some of that control. How about asking him for help on some studying outside of the classes? Obviously it won't be about studying and you both know it, but I am sure he would like to feel like he can help you with something, after all even a shy guy wants to be a hero.

[decomposingdoll]

You can either take the active role of being the persuer or show him some signs that you won't reject him of he asks you to go out with him. There's a risk of rejection that scares guys away from approaching a girl; try to lessen that risk by showing him that you want him. Try flirting.