Let’s be honest—we live in a fast-paced world, filled with people who come and go as if they’re on a schedule. And dating can be a real pain, leaving you feeling like a train station. It’s no surprise that you’re wondering whether the latest guy actually wants anything serious at all.
It’s easy to become jaded in such a situation. However, if you put down the cynicism for just a second, you’ll realize that the signs are blatantly clear. When a man wants a real relationship, he’ll put in way more effort than those just looking to hook up.
He’ll make it known by being attentive and thoughtful. He’ll respect your pace, get to know you, and offer a shoulder to cry on if needed. Men just looking to feel good for a night or two won’t take the time to do much more than they have to, because they’re not staying around.
# Good face first
He’ll be a gentleman. He’ll hold doors open, buy you drinks and food, and match his pace to yours out in public. When a man’s truly interested, he understands that he needs to treat you like a lady in order to stay in your good graces.
# He’s made the introductionsYou’ve met his family and friends. If a man considers you nothing more than a brief hookup, he won’t introduce you to anyone he doesn’t have to. Meanwhile, if a man is inviting you for some quality time with his family, friends, or both, then he wants them all to meet you because he sees you hanging around. He should be filling you in on inside jokes, funny memories, and people’s names and connections. He’ll try his hardest to make you feel included, and to get his loved ones to like you too.
# He’s known in your circleHe’s met your family and friends. If he’s serious, he’ll understand his loved ones aren’t the only important people to get involved with. He’s going to want to meet your friends and family too, and he’ll try his best to get them to like him. He may offer jokes, background information about himself and his ties to you, and listen intently to what they have to say.
# There’s a level of understandingYou’ve bonded over common ground, and established a connection. No one wants to date, or even be friends with, someone they have absolutely nothing in common with. A guy looking to get serious will find that common ground, and use it as a stepping-stone to establish a more meaningful connection with you. If he’s looking for a hookup, he won’t care if you don’t share anything to talk about, or have anything to do together.
# The past isn’t hidden: He’s told you about his past, and understands yoursYou’ve discussed exes, past flirts and flings, as well as regrettable choices, your childhoods, friendships gone wrong, and more. He’s getting to know you, and that means he’s interested. Men don’t take the time to get to know a girl on a personal level like this unless they’re truly serious.
# Attention: He’ll actually make eye contact, ask questions, and retain information
If the guy seems like he’s hanging on your every word, he’s smitten. If he’s on his phone, blows you off, keeps asking you to repeat something, or completely overrides the conversation by bringing something else up, then he just doesn’t care.