Okay, so this whole “does he like me” thing has been driving me nuts, right? I decided to stop overthinking and actually, like, do something. So, here’s the play-by-play of my little experiment.
The Setup
First, I replayed every interaction in my head. Seriously, I went full-on CSI, analyzing every text, every glance, every awkward silence. The guy, let’s call him Mark, is… confusing. He’s funny, we have a lot in common, but he’s also super inconsistent with his texting. One day he’s all over it, the next, radio silence. Hence, the angst.
Operation “Hang Out”
My goal: Get him to suggest hanging out without me specifically asking him on a date. I didn’t want to scare him off by being too forward. Subtlety was key.
- Phase 1: The Casual Mention. I started by dropping hints about things I was planning to do. Like, “Ugh, I’m dying to try that new pizza place, but none of my friends are free this week.” The aim was to create an opening, a “Oh, I’d go with you!” kind of moment.
- Phase 2: The Shared Interest Card. Mark and I are both obsessed with this one band. So, when they released a new song, I sent him a message saying, “OMG, have you heard the new [Band Name] track?! So good!” Then, I added, “They’re playing a show next month, I’m so tempted to go.” This was a deliberate “fishing expedition.”
- Phase 3: The “I’m Busy” Bait. This sounds counterintuitive, but hear me out. I posted a story on Instagram of me at a local coffee shop with a book, captioning it, “Finally getting some me-time! #Relaxing.” The idea was to show him I have a life, and he needs to make an effort to fit into it. (Psychological warfare, I know!)
The Moment of Truth
After about a week of this strategic maneuvering, it happened. He replied to my Instagram story! He said, “That coffee shop looks chill. I’ve been meaning to try it. What are you reading?” We chatted about the book for a bit, then… BOOM! He said, “Maybe we should check it out together sometime?”
Did It Work?
Technically, yes! He asked to hang out! Victory!
But… (there’s always a but, isn’t there?) It’s important to remember that this is just one small step. Asking to hang out doesn’t automatically equal romantic interest. It could just mean he’s bored, or he enjoys my company as a friend. Only time will tell what his true intentions are.
My advice: Don’t overanalyze! Enjoy the hangout, be yourself, and see where things go. And most importantly, remember that your worth isn’t determined by whether or not someone likes you!
So, that’s the story of Operation “Hang Out.” Wish me luck!