Can being cautious or reluctant to engage in dating or a relationship be seen as leading someone on?

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

[btbc92]

It can to the wrong people. Lived it my whole life. It's perfectly okay to be cautious and guarded. It protects you from the wrong person. But how you choose to use it sadly can also hurt you and others. But I think most people who doesn't jump into a relationship clearly voice this nonverbally to the person to stop engaging the way you are. If they seem friendly be a friend to them. If you don't want to be a friend, move on. A lot of people especially few men that I even known grown-up seem to have this sick game going on. When they accuse you trying to use them, or that you don't care I love them, when they obviously know that you actually do, but because you're not looking to cater to them, the end of emotionally abusing you. Those are red flag. Anybody whether you are a man or female who gets treated like that for anybody, you better walk away. Unless they have perfectly good reasons for why they are the way they are, there is no excuse for that behavior. Guard your heart and mind at all cost.

[Cynicaldreamer]

This is a question I can personally relate to so hopefully my opinion helps-

No, it's certainly not. Some of us are more cautious about dating or getting into a relationship than others, usually due to bad previous experiences. As a result, we usually prefer taking our time, getting to know a person, and make sure things feel right before trying to date said person. It's not leading someone on, it's called protecting our hearts and sanity.

With that being said, anytime a guy shows interest in me, I ALWAYS warn him upfront I prefer to take things slow. It's not to play games, but to feel him out and his intentions.
In addition, it lets him know how I am as a person, so if he gets impatient or loses interest, I'll know he was just after sex or not the right guy for me.

[torgor67]

I guess in a way? But the best remedy for that situation for that situation would be to tell the person that you feel cautious and reluctant. That way the other person gets the truth and can decide whether or not they want to be in a relationship. Some attentive people might feel that way but again communication is key!

[0112358]

Quite possibly. The way you phrase it suggests you’re not disinterested entirely just reluctant to date. So it’s quite possible your body language and demeanour and behaviour show interest but then when they try to move forward you step back.

[aWes0MeNeSs]

I don't think so if you handle it the right way. Just don't flirt and give off the impression that you're romantically interested when you're not.

[Desconhecida]

It depends on your honesty towards the matter

[slatyb]

No, mostly "leading on" is wishful thinking on a guy.

[Alpha09]

It can if you don't make your position clear. If you're not sure they need to know, otherwise it's definitely leading someone on. It's better to just let them go.

[Zasterwolf]

Truthfully, id have to say when you allow someone else to have the power that could change ones own self worth. Someone who actually puts in effort as wants to be equals will have a shaky nerve. Fear gets us all in some form. One who can follow a script has a different agenda than anything meaningful.

[SunnyCaliGirl]

The way this worded. It would most definitely be leading someone on

[LoU_Hades]

Yes
Interested people expect similar enthusiasm when they approach a person. Being cautious or reluctant can be easily misinterpreted.

[loveslongnails]

It can be by someone else, but they're not in your shoes.

[1CentWorth]

yup. you should be direct and honest if your approach is different than most you observe with others.

[MrNameless]

Most definitely, especially if you don't communicate your feelings with someone on where the relationship is with someone

[laPrincesitaRoxi]

What the fuck no lol
At least it shouldn’t but at the same time you can’t just control peoples interpretations.

[Emperorxxxemilio]

Being cautious? No. Knowing full well that you’re fucking with somebody’s head is leading them on.

[AdithyaR]

It's leading on if you don't specify that you're reluctant. You have to let the other person know what your stand is.

[Anonymous]

I've been keeping an eye on your posts for a while now and I wonder something.
Why every time you getting with a new girl you always get so frickin' insecure?
Like, you seem to give good advice, can't you follow it yourself?

[MrNameless]

That's the irony of life. Easy to give others dating advice, but its a different thing when its you who are experiencing it

[Opinion Owner]

@MrNameless I get it but it's the same story every single time

[Iron_Man]

No because some people are very lonely and they want to try it again, they just don't like the way it's going so they back off

[mefirst2020]

For a short period yes if it drags on to long u stand the chance of becoming a bitch in the man's eyes never to be looked at by him agin

[Sha84]

Yes the typical interpretation of failure to launch

[simplelikeme]

Only if you're not ready to have a relationship LOL

[gmgandyoume]

I'm the type to just come out and ask so yea I consider it leading on. At the same time fellas dig in ask your own questions

[Anonymous]

Yes. Girls have been so reluctant to date me that they would rather not. So I’m still single answering everyone else’s issues...