When a man calls you cute does it mean he's interested in you?

[Anonymous]

My guy friend and I had been hanging out and having a few drinks. He was picking on me and then quietly said "I actually think you're cute". Was he hinting at liking me? I'm short and worry that cute isn't a good thing. He had also been drinking so I worry it was the liquor talking. Although we've always been flirty to each other. He's even held my hand.

[Adam1978]

If he is single yes but a guy in relationship can say that without you having a chance.

[Asker]

He's single. I just worry it was the alcohol talking. Like I said in other comments, he's always been a bit flirty. He's held my hand, always stares at me, always hugs me or finds a way to touch me, tells me I'm so little, and calls me sweet cheeks.

[Kaine91]

I called my female friends cute but had no thought of them in that way, like no bro. But its all really dependant on if said person has said it in a casual or a sensual/sexual way. So it depends

[Asker]

We were initially joking around and he was playfully teasing me. Then he got really serious and quiet and said "I actually think you look cute " I barely caught it and wasn't even sure if I was supposed to hear it.

[FunkyMonkee]

Could be!! It usually does when I say it!

[Asker]

I'll give you more context. He was picking on me cuz I was wearing his mom's sweatshirt. We were all at a campground together and mine was back in my camper. I'm petite, so anyone else's clothing is baggy on me. He came over and put my hood up and told me to leave it. I kept laughing and saying he was only making fun of me. He swore he wasn't and even put his up to prove it. He called me a badass, then he said I did kinda look like a little ghost and giggled. A little bit later we were walking and he kinda turned from me and I heard him get real serious and quiet and say "I actually think you look cute." He's never called me that before. He had also told me earlier that we're never going to be close friends, he has enough friends. Later he said he didn't mean to come off in a mean way, he just didn't want to have the whole friend conversation. He's got social anxiety so that might be part of it.

[FunkyMonkee]

Maybe he meant you could be more than just friends! ;-)

[Asker]

I want to talk to him about it because I feel bad I didn't acknowledge the compliment. My last relationship was toxic and I have a bad fear of being used again. This current guy and I have had this flirty banter for quite some time now and I've always been too scared to open up. I'm afraid I'll wreck things and not even have his friendship. I guess I've been trying to wait for a "sure" sign from him. We did just recently text until he had to go to bed and it was really nice.

[FunkyMonkee]

Tomorrow, go talk to him about it. At some point, during a lull in the conversation, when you both seem to be speculative, ask him if you could kiss him, just to see what it's like. If he says, "No.", you know where you both stand. If he lets you, maybe you can build something on that!

[Kareem_z21]

Yes that's a good sign

[Asker]

How do I know if it was just the booze talking? Like I said, he's held my hand, stares at me all the time, always hugs me or touches me, teases me, etc. This night he had mentioned earlier that we'll never be close friends, he has enough friends. I told him that hurt my feelings and he said he didn't mean it that way. He didn't want to have the whole friend talk and likes how things are between us.

[Kareem_z21]

Yup he doesn't want you as a close friend. He wants more than friendship. He is giving you hints

[Asker]

Even tho we had been drinking? He also tells me I'm too scared of things every time he flirts and I don't reciprocate. I let him hold my hand but didn't grab his back and he held it up and said "see, you're too scared to hold my hand back even." We were at a party so I also figured it was just meaningless drunk talk then as well.

[Kareem_z21]

Yes that doesn't change that fact

[AsaKyo]

No clue as I also get that a lot

[slatyb]

It does.

[Asker]

Even tho we had a few drinks? I'm scared to bring it up because I'm afraid I'll get hurt. What if he didn't mean it and it was just drunk talk? We've definitely flirted before like he's held my hand, has nicknames for me, always hugs me and stares at me, etc.

[slatyb]

If I were you I might ask him "You've been flirting with me for (weeks/months/years). Why haven't you asked me out?"

[Asker]

How do I know he didn't mean cute like a little sister or child? I'm curious on male perspective if that's a word men use when you find someone attractive?

[slatyb]

"How do I know?" You ask him and find out.

[Asker]

I just worry about wrecking our friendship. That's why I've never reciprocated any of his flirting.

[slatyb]

How would it be ruined? Suppose he says that he loves you but doesn't think would work as a couple? Would you want to stop spending time with him?

[Asker]

I'm worried he never meant any of it. I was used for my ex's benefit and have a huge fear of being used again. What if he didn't mean to call me cute, or all the flirting he's done was just to f**k with me?

[slatyb]

Consider seeing a counselor. You are missing out on life due to past trauma. He's not going to cruelly reject you.

[Asker]

I do see a counselor... This situation is harder because other people have built things up and made me question his intentions. He tells me none of it is an issue an he'd tell me if he had a problem with me. I'm also really bad at differentiating between flirting and friendzone.

[Asker]

I sent him a message tonight and was 100% honest. I said I liked hanging out, I agree with him that we're not gonna be close friends, and I said I did hear him call me cute. Wish me luck! I'm so nervous!