Guy I like jokingly suggests boys I should date?

[Anonymous]

I’m in a mixed gender friend group, only really speak to the girls and don’t often speak to the boys in it. This guy I like is in the group.

When we all go out together, or even just in school the boy I like usually will jokingly suggest boys in our year group that i rarely ever speak to for me to date.

i know he does that to everyone in our friend group, so it’s not like he’s just doing it to me, but my friend thinks it’s flirty and I think it’s friendly so some advice would be helpful.

[_Maya_]

He is seeing what your reaction will be to determine if your interests lie somewhere else. It is a passive way for him to see if you are into him. It is easy to break down. He says you should date Tim. There are two outcomes here. One is that you say “Yeah, he is actually a nice guy and I would be open to dating him or someone like him.” This tells the boy you are not interested without him directly asking you if you are. The other outcome is you say something like “No, I am not interested in any of those boys”. This tells him he has a chance or at least you are not actively pursuing or thinking about anyone in that group. It is just a way for this guy you like to test the waters and see where your head is at.

[laly520]

doesn't seem like flirting

but talk to him

[Novacane]

I mean what is the goal here? Do you want to date him? I mean you dont talk to him so I'm sure he might get the idea that you are not interested in him, so it could be flirty banter just to see what you say.

If you want advice I think you should start talking to him so that maybe he gets the idea if you dont plan on telling him you like him. But direct is better, takes away the guessing game.

[Summeroflove]

Be direct and tell him you’re into him and see if he will go on a date with you.

[Nikki1989]

It seems he is testing you are looking for a reaction.