“I’m wonderstruck, blushing all the way home, I’ll spend forever wondering if you knew”, a line from an absolutely gorgeous song – Enchanted – by Taylor swift; there’s a lot of depth to her. Anyway, the line “wondering if you knew” speaks directly to the crux of the topic, “wondering if she’s into you”. Let’s face it, many guys have missed truly golden opportunities to date maybe the perfect women simply because they didn’t read the signs properly. Some guys read the signs, but missed the opportunity because of their lack of courage, but that’s another story entirely.

The truth is, dating can be tricky, especially when trying to figure out if a woman is interested in you. Women are all too subtle in expressing their feelings, and it’s so easy for guys to miss the signs, especially if you’re not paying attention. It’s even easier to miss the signs if you don’t know what the signs are in the first place! Understanding these subtle cues can help a guy zero in quickly and accurately on a potential love interest and thus live happily ever after…, if only life were that simple. Regardless, we soldier on. So, let’s analyze the well-documented signs that a woman might be into you, even if she’s not making it obvious. But, this time, we’ll keep it real and stop our comrades from jumping in headfirst having misread the cues and getting already fragile egos smashed forever.

Eye contact

So she locks eyes with you during conversations or gives you lingering glances across the room. That’s it, looks lie she’s into you, so you make your move to engage. Well, yes, it is likely that she is into you, but it’s not an invitation to the alter by any means. So go ahead and engage, but there’s still a lot of work to do. And while we’re on the eyes, has anyone honestly ever seen a woman’s eyes dilate? People say it all the time, yet…

Her body language is open and inviting

While this may sound really rather suggestive, it’s actually about the way she positions herself when she’s around you. If she’s facing you, with her arms uncrossed and her body leaning in your direction, she’s likely comfortable and engaged. Subtle gestures like playing with her hair, tilting her head, or mirroring your movements can also be signs that she’s interested.

Touchy-feely

Ok, so this is the big one. Physical touch is a key way women show interest. It’s really that straightforward. If this happens more than once, dial up the conversation at least a notch. If she’s touching your arm during conversations, brushing against you “accidentally,” or playfully hitting you on the shoulder, she’s trying to create a physical connection. These small touches are her way of testing the waters to see how you’ll respond. Get in there!

You’re a funny guy…, apparently

This is almost like a self-assessment test. Somehow. Because you have a fair idea how funny you really are. You’ve gotten a few chuckles on your good days, but typically, no more than a lingering smile. Yet here you are cracking this lovely lady up with minimal effort. And you’re sure she hasn’t had too much to drink. Well, if she’s laughing, she’s likely trying to show you she enjoys your company. And no, she’s not pretending. Not unless you’re really rich. If you are, then everyone finds you rib-cracking funny. But, laughter is a great way to build rapport, so if she’s giggling at your jokes, it’s a sign she wants to keep the conversation going.

She gets personal

When a woman is interested, she’ll want to know more about you beyond surface-level small talk. So she’s asking about your childhood, or your family, you job and so on. And just as importantly, she actually remembers details about you from earlier  on in your conversation. In other words, she’s paying close attention. Well, she’s probably not just being polite – she’s probably trying to connect with you on a deeper level. Her curiosity is a sign that, just maybe, she’s into you.

You make her nervous

Even the most confident women can get a bit anxious around guys they like. If she’s fidgeting, playing with her jewelry, or seems a bit more animated than normal when she’s around you, it could be because she’s trying to make a good impression. It could also be that she’s suffering from withdrawal symptoms, so be sure she’s totally off the wagon first. But seriously, these small signs of nervousness often indicate that she’s curious about how you perceive her.

Seems she has your time

A woman who’s interested will make an effort to spend time with you. Whether it’s rearranging her schedule, initiating plans, or agreeing to spontaneous outings. If she prioritizes you, then she’s definitely into you. We’re all busy. And when we’re not, we’re tired. So if she’s willing and able to find time to see you, it’s a clear sign of interest.

Very few women are upfront about their feelings. And who can blame them? Men will likely misread a woman’s directness as being overly flirtatious. And for guys, that’s a typical red flag for anything meaningful. And anyway, ‘scarcity’ is a baked-in behavioral pattern with women from evolution. You have to work for it as a guy.

But the subtle signs mentioned here can and should at least give you a good idea of where and when to start. Look for patterns in her behavior, and if you notice several of these cues, it’s likely she’s interested in more than just friendship.

Understanding these signs can help you take the next step with confidence.