Why would a guy go from staring non-stop at a woman to sort of avoiding her?

[Freckles1996]

I would catch the same guy staring at me at this country club I go to. He would sometimes lock eye contact and smile. But would stare for a long time as I walked by. So then one day I was walking by after my golf lesson and he walked over and as he was passing by he said “you’re really pretty by the way” and then walked away as I said thank you in return. Later that evening me and my friend grabbed dinner in the cafe and he was sitting in there too on his laptop but was on a call and preoccupied with that. When I was sitting with my friend I was looking over at him and I tried smiling but he didn’t really smile back. Then again he was busy so I don't know, and I guess guys feel weird when a girl is with her friends. Anyway the next time I saw him he looked away sharply, but again this time he was on his laptop and in a call. I walked past and he glanced a little bit but not as long as he did previously. Saw him another time after that too and he glanced over at me a couple more times.
Anyway sorry for the ramble but wanted to provide enough context. Did he lost interest or did I just not show I was interested back enough? Why do guys sometimes do this? Also I’m an introvert and dumb af when it comes to reading men’s interest.

[ZackBan]

For a lot of guys a simple hi is hard these days and he actually dropped a compliment so his emotions went into an all time high which is naturally followed by a low since now he thinks that all he's good for is a cheap compliment and he's wishing he was the guy you'd be into.

It's the hardest part about bieng a guy, the lack of validation or showing of intentions.

A guy is supposed to make the first move put himself out there do the whole song and dance and it's hit or miss if he succeeds and sometimes failure comes at a hefty social price which kills confidence even further.

You did nothing wrong for sure but if you do reciprocate you can truly be that "one special girl" and actually walk up to him next time, give a compliment and start a conversation. Once he kows for a fact you're intersting he'll be fully invested

[DarkLordNoodlez]

Seems to me like he might have gotten embarrassed. He could just feel awkward that he went up to some random girl, told her she was pretty, and walked away. If i did that i would also probably feel pretty embarrassed. If you are looking to get in a relationship (be it a relationship of romance or friendship) i would say the best course of action is to try going up and talking to him. If you do this probably make sure he knows you weren't creeped out or insulted by what he did, and that you appreciate the compliment.

[Sweets13678]

Well I’m so awkward and shy. Every time I see him I don’t wanna seem creepy either so I don’t like stare waiting for a reaction or anything. I just assume men aren’t interested in me. I also might seem aloof so I don't know.

[Sweets13678]

Oops this is awkward. I’m using my other account to answer this my bad.

[boggboss]

In his eyes he shot his shot and u rejected him by nor really responding past thanks

[Freckles1996]

Oh no :( well what was I supposed to say as he was walking away?

[boggboss]

Anything u do also thanks hun so do u anything lol

[Freckles1996]

I’ll say hi and smile next time I see him. It might freak him out but whatever, life is short

[boggboss]

Why would that freak him out

[Freckles1996]

I don’t think he’s expecting me to come around. But not sure, he might have lost interest.

[boggboss]

I think this is u overthinking

[Avicenna]

He changes his mind about her or thinks she's unattainable for him

[Freckles1996]

He seems like unhappy when he sees me now. He used to kind of smile and stuff even if I didn’t fully reciprocate. But he could just be busy too so I don't know.

[Avicenna]

Ah, you didn’t reciprocate, so he moved on.

[Iron_Man]

Maybe he’s shy and maybe he’s bipolar maybe he’s angry

[sensible27]

Maybe he felt he was bothering you?

[Anonymous]

A lot of men give up easily.