Q&A for How to Recognize That You Have a Crush on Someone

Show up on time and be present. Avoid taking out your phone while on the date. You should also remember to always be yourself. It may sound basic, but it's important.

Let the conversation flow organically as you get to know them. Ask them about their plans for the weekend or how they plan on spending their summer. Consider asking questions about their lifestyle and values as well.

Prioritize your safety immediately; if you are feeling suicidal, please seek help from a crisis hotline or mental health professional. It is incredibly painful to feel rejected or overshadowed, but remember that your worth is not defined by others' opinions or relationship dynamics. If your friend is dismissive or your social circle is unsupportive, consider distancing yourself and focusing on relationships where you feel valued and respected.

If you don't have feelings for your friend or you don't think a relationship there is a good idea, then your friend needs to learn that it won't work out. Staying single just because you pity your friend — or worse, dating the friend out of pity — will just make it more painful in the long run.

Think about it - do you go after every girl you spend time with? Chances are, the answer is no. You're most likely just grappling with jealousy, which is completely normal when you have a crush (nobody wants their crush to like someone else!). While it's possible she could be crushing on one of her friends, keep in mind that people can be friends with someone of another gender and not have a crush on them.

To discern if someone has a crush, pay attention to who they frequently discuss and observe where their gaze often shifts. While these observations require careful attention, they can be subtle indicators of interest.

Yes, you can certainly have more than one crush simultaneously. If you're weighing your feelings for multiple people, focusing on the most recent crush might provide clarity. Sometimes, intense feelings for one person would naturally preclude strong new attractions.

Try joining a conversation they are having with friends, or befriend their friends first if they are easier to approach. You can also offer to help them with small favors or projects.

Be yourself and try to relax. If you say something awkward, it's okay to admit you're nervous by saying something like, "Sorry, I'm just nervous." Your crush may find it endearing.

Consider how you feel about the person. Do you want to be their best friend or something more? Ask yourself if you desire a romantic relationship, which involves commitment, physical intimacy, and privacy. If the idea of dating feels daunting or undesirable, it may just be a friendship crush.

It's possible to recognize someone as attractive and not have any romantic feelings for him. Just focus on being friends, and don't worry too much about the butterflies in your stomach unless the crush develops in a romantic direction.

Test it before you say anything you can't take back. Sitting slightly closer to them every time you talk is a good way to test the relationship's boundaries.

You can always try asking subtle questions that require open answers. For example, ask if he has a date to an event, or say "Hey, that girl just checked you out! What are you going to do?"

Once you know them well enough, just say there's something I'd like to tell you, and just open up. Whatever happens then is what happens.

You need to look very closely at your intentions and your feelings. Are you sure you're over this crush? What would be your reason for telling him? Sometimes, we can subconsciously bury our feelings for someone because we know we can't be with them, but that doesn't mean the crush has gone away. What would you do if it turned out he reciprocated - or, alternatively, if he got uncomfortable and began distancing himself? He also might wonder why you're expressing this to him when you both have partners, since that would seem rather odd in and of itself. In most cases, it would probably be better to not talk about it, though there's nothing stopping you if you really think it's the best course of action.

Avoid seeing them whenever possible, even if it means taking a different route or talking to certain friends less often. You can return to your old habits once the feeling has gone away.

Take note if you want to meet them more than any other online friend, if you want to be physically affectionate with them if or when you meet them (e.g. hugging, kissing, or cuddling them), if you're easily embarrassed or get shy when talking to them, or daydream about them more often than not. Usually, it won't feel that different than a crush on a person you know offline, with the exception of not physically being around that person.

You can just outright ask him, "Are you dating anybody?" or "Do you have a girlfriend?" If you're really too afraid to ask directly, you can try looking at his social media profiles for clues or asking, "How's your girlfriend?" and seeing if he corrects you, but being direct is the best way to get the answer you're looking for. Remember - chances are good that he's not going to find it nearly as weird as you're worried it might be!

Not necessarily. A "friend crush" typically signifies deep platonic admiration, distinct from romantic attraction. If your feelings involve romantic desire (e.g., wanting to kiss or date them), you might be same-gender attracted, but this doesn't exclusively mean you are gay; you could identify as bisexual or pansexual. It's also entirely possible to have close same-gender friends without romantic interest.