Why is my boyfriend more affectionate in front of his friends?

Question

We have been dating for over a year
I have met some of his friends/colleagues and he has met some of my friends
He is very affectionate when we are alone and when we are out together in public (holding my hand, putting his arm around my shoulder or waist, etc)
He also does all that when we are hanging out with his friends and colleagues (males and females)
But when it comes to infront of my friends, he is less affectionate
Only when we are abit far from my friends, he would start holding my hand and hugging me, etc
And then when we go back to my friends, he drops his arms/hand
My circle consist of girls and their boyfriends
So we go out with them
But anyway.. why is he more affectionate when with his friends/colleagues?

looneymalooney · Accepted Answer

two things:
1. maybe he knows his friends are assholes and does all these gestures in order to somehow show "look, she is my girl, stay away". He is also a bit insecure as in maybe he sees one of them as "competition".
If it's insecurity. Definitely. If it's a bad kind of insecurity. I wouldn't take it that way. It would have been bad if he would have made a scene or start to scream, start a fight with someone.
But from what you have described, being on the "affectionate" side of "insecure", it shouldn't put him in a bad light.

2. regarding this behaviour around your friends, he definitely does not feel comfortable enough to express himself. He might feel the others are judging your behaviour (as a couple). Or he simply does not like the whole setting of "couples". He most likely enjoys being just with you and that is all he needs.
I know such a guy. He simply wants to hang out with his girl and hates "couple" activities.

Cursewords · Accepted Answer

He's probably being respectful. Your friends don't probably want to see him all over you but his friends don't care.

Juleve · Accepted Answer

It's hard to say.
It could be a comfort issue like others are saying but that wouldn't explain why he's comfortable doing it around strangers.

If he does it more around his friends it can also be an expression of a territorial nature. He knows some of them can be sleazy.

Also, not to make you paranoid but does it happen more frequently around certain friends?
It could be he finds one of them attractive and wants to keep up the appearance of availability.

btbc92 · Accepted Answer

He's trying to put on a front to make his friends jealous, that's all. It sounds like to me he is not being as genuine as he wants to make it out in person. He may be very affectionate with you while alone. But that is not normal behavior. It sounds like to me it's a mixture of that and the fact that he doesn't like your friends.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I think Probably because he is more comfortable around his friends and could be nervous around your friends or unsure of how to act around them. He doesn't know the people in public so isn't trying to impress them etc

crystalt70 · Accepted Answer

It is probably based on his comfort level. He just might be more comfortable doing that in front of his friends since he knows them better and vice versa.

Supermodel_Guy · Answer

I think it's because he wants to impress his friends and colleagues, and show off to random people in public because many guys won't admit it but they actually need a confidence boost from showing people they have a girlfriend and public displays of affection help boost a guy's self-confidence. I don't think he's as affectionate in front of your friends because he maybe wants you to take on that role in front of your friends but doesn't want to tell you that.

potatoisme · Answer

He is not comfortable enough around your friends and doesn't wanna seem cringy

SarahsSummer · Answer

Maybe he doesn’t want to embarrass himself or you with too much PDA in front of people he knows less.

RedDawn430 · Answer

He probably doesn't know your friends as well and he probably doesn't want to embarrass you or himself in front of them.

hulkster · Answer

He is probably letting them know, that this girl is mine, and you can't have her. He is being possessive over you.

lord_chilled · Answer

Could be he isn't very comfortable with your friends

RachelleDraws · Answer

He's showing off. Trying to say, 'Look how good of a boyfriend I am.'

the-veldt · Answer

males are pack animals , lets be honest , so when he is around his friends he subconsciously likes to show off his dominance to the other males of his pack by showing his ability to be with a suitable woman

Anonymous · Answer

he is not love you hahahahh. he has eye in one of your friends

Anonymous · Answer

Be grateful he does, some guys shy away showing affection in front of their friends.

disgustingweebtrash · Answer

He's more confident around them

yendis01 · Answer

Maybe he likes one of your friends..

KoenM · Answer

To show them you are his!

Humbledman74006 · Answer

Marking his territory

Flower-petal · Answer

Showing off maybe

Water_Bottle · Answer

Showing off

bigd6942 · Answer

Because he is gay

Why is my boyfriend more affectionate in front of his friends?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Why is my boyfriend more affectionate in front of his friends?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.