If there’s one thing harder to read than a girl, it’s a shy girl. She smiles at you but never comes too close, is always friendly, but you can never tell what she’s thinking. She’s harder to read than your doctor’s bad handwriting, expresses less affection than an asian parent, and seems more complicated than calculus. What to do!?!?

Image credits: Shawn Chen

Fret not, this guide points out some simple signs that give away how much she might like you.

1. She’ll find ways to spend time with you
A shy girl will want to spend time with you without taking the huge scary challenge of “asking you out”. So, she’ll find ways to be in your tutorial group, department team, or even take the same bus as you, just so there’s a chance it’ll be just both of you alone and you would maybe, just, you know, come up and talk to her.

2. She’ll like your Facebook photos – but just a few.
Don’t you have that one girl whom you never talk to much in real life, but who is somehow more active on your Facebook? This clever girl will like stuff on your wall, but only selectively: posts like your favourite arctic monkeys song, mix tape, book, baby pictures, or any funny/quirky/personal posts, but not your popular “clubbing with mah girlfriendssss” ones. She’s trying to tell you that she likes who you are, and not when you’re with other girls.

3. She laughs at almost everything you say
Even the lame jokes, even when you fall down on your butt, and even when you pick your nose (okay, maybe not the last one. But you get what I mean.). This is simple, but so true! Test this out by telling her one of those really bad jokes and see if she laughs anyway!

4. She’ll talk too much around you – or be unexpectedly quiet.
The trick to catching it is to notice if she’s different around you, compared to other people. If she’s chatty around her friends and suddenly quiet with you, or vice versa, it might be you that’s making her nervous.

5. They’ll leave an extra special note… hidden… somewhere.
My female friends admit to doing this a lot. They’ll leave a sincere, heartfelt note hinting at something more in a card sent to you by a whole OG (orientation group) or group of colleagues, but seldom dare to write you a personal card on their own. That’s just way too obvious. Dig out the cards you’ve received from said girl and read closely. You may even spot a few more. Sneaky sneaky girls.

6. They’ll remember minute details about things you’ve said
Just like how you live near Toa Payoh, or that your favourite drink is that teh peng from the corner stall. You don’t really remember telling her, but yes.

7. She always smiles at you
Smiling is a very casual and ambiguous indicator of interest. It’s just “safe” enough that she doesn’t seem in any way TOO interested, but makes her look more warm and inviting so come talk to her dammit. But you’ll know because it’s that shy smile reserved only for the guy she likes, and it’s different from everyone else.

8. She’ll make friends with your friends, but still be too shy to talk to you
Some guys I know do this too. Friends are the key, and the more daring girls would try to talk more with all the mutual friends they have – except that one guy they like. It’s another way of getting to know you (through your friends) without actually talking to you!

9. Tell all her friends – who giggle madly whenever you’re around
Can’t figure out what’s so funny? Don’t really get the joke? She and her friends have probably got some code word for you, and just go crazy whenever you’re around because they know she likes you! Have one of your trusted friends talk to hers to find out more. 

Source: Love Out Loud Asia