How do I know a guy likes me or how can I at least be friends with guys?

[Anonymous]

I never feel comfortable around guys and I have low self esteem so I don't ever try to talk to them, but they don't take interest in me either. I feel like I'll be made fun of or rejected if I talk to a boy, but I think I'd be a really good girlfriend or even friend to a guy. I'm not ugly but I don't think I'm pretty either, and boys at least used to pay attention to me when I was skinnier, but I gained a little weight from depression and now I'm more insecure so if anyone has any answers on how to stop needing validation or any tips on talking to guys please help!

[coldmarch]

You can have friendships with guys (friends only) but there are some things to take in account, especially if you are insecure and seek validation. If you start a friendship with a guy, and this friendship is not based on real common interests/hobbies/attitude (so it's based only on mutual "care"), then, likely, one of the two will get in a crush. And usually, if there is a crush between friends, the one who "needs more" is very obvious and will make themselves granted and desperate, that is just the recipe to stay locked in the friendzone. If you seek validation you might end up getting addicted to a guy who gives you enough attention but never reciprocate feelings, because it's always like if you're "almost there". This happens really a lot of times.
So, if for some reasons (not romantic/sexual reasons) you want a friend who is a male, you better find those who have a similar personality and similar interests as yours, so that could be a concrete foundation to motivate contacts without needing to have this "mutual care" only. It makes things more relaxed and slow to grow.
Alternatively, to have male friends, I recommend gay friends. They might have more attitudes in common with you and they're a great boost for girls self esteem because they generally keep complimenting you and push you to dare more with your looks, and are allied to your side.
If you want a boyfriend, then you don't need to hang out with a "group of boys", you just need to hang out with your current friends (or any new friend) and get to know their friends, and friends of friends, etc. A guy interested in you will pop out somewhere if you make yourself "visible", that means participating in parties, events, or anyway being always somewhere with friends. Likely, as an introverted girl, you might end up attracting 2 types of guys: one is the desperate thirsty and annoying guys, one is introverted guys, who see you as an easier target, who could also understand them better. Through these contacts, you'll get also recommendations on social networks, and you might end up spying each other's profile with some new "friends-of-friends" guy, time to time.
For sure self esteem is something that needs to be fixed. What you can do by yourself, I recommend, is to behave "like if" you have some good self esteem, until it becomes real. For example you could get much better hair/makeup/clothes/posture, smile more (force yourself even when you're sad), and ask questions in conversations, with a positive attitude, so that you look interested in what people say and they will include you better.

[Anonymous]

The problem is, most guys will pretend to like you just for sexual reasons. The best thing to do is just be extra careful and don't trust any of them till you have very good reasons to.

[nomadme]

This low self esteem thing you are talking about, it doesn't come from around you, it comes from within you. If you don't love yourself as you did back then, your mind would always wander around whenever you approach someone or vice versa. As much as it's said and done, confidence in who you are and what you want is always the absolute solution, start by accepting yourself.

[Iron_Man]

It’s in the eyes Play never lie

[Guy13]

Stop with negative

[Guy13]

This is never becoming. Carry yourself as if you have Value. Fake it if necessary. Go to etiquette classes and build some confidence. There’s so much that you can do. Toastmaster online.