How do you tell someone you like them without — actually telling them? When you like someone, whether it’s a crush or your long-term partner, sometimes just telling them you like them isn’t enough — showing them how much you care can speak volumes. Here’s 50 creative ways to tell someone you like them without just flat out saying it. Especially if it’s a budding relationship, these little actions can be the perfect way to drop hints.
- Touch your face and hair when you’re talking to them.
- Touch them, casually, on the arm or knee when you’re talking to them.
- Laugh at their jokes.
- Touch their arm or knee when you laugh at their jokes.
- Notice when their glass is empty, and always offer to fill it up or get them another.
- Make eye contact from across the room at parties; smile.
- If you get an inside joke going between just the two of you, work it into conversation often.
- Say their name when you’re talking to them. (It’s true! People thrill at the sound of their own name — especially when uttered by someone they’re interested in.)
- Find a common enemy: another party guest, an annoying guy at the bar, a broken jukebox, the lack of pizza joints in this part of town. It’s you two against the world.
- If they mention an ex, or a date gone bad, tell them that they’re too good for that person, anyway.
- Give them a ridiculously huge tip. (This only works if they’re your waiter, bartender or barista. Obviously.)
- Email them because you just saw something and it “made me think of you.”
- Treat them to something sometime.
- Make up a nickname for them. Be the only one who calls them that.
- Invent any excuse for them to come over — a new movie, a sports game, a dinner party, a home repair project you really need help with.
- Be genuinely delighted every time you see them — make no effort to hide it.
- Loan them a book that you “just thought they would like.”
- Offer to hold their purse/bag/coat/cup.
- MIX TAPE! (No one makes a mix tape/cd for you unless they like you.)
- Make sure to get pictures of the two of you when you’re out together.
- Handwrite a note on your business card when you give it to them. i.e. “Really good to meet you.”
- Remember what their drink is without having to ask. Order it for them.
- Show up to their art opening/soccer game/open mic night/thing.
- Don’t leave without saying goodbye.
- That shirt/perfume/ring/pair of shoes they once mentioned they liked? Wear it. A lot.
- Remember what you talked about the last time you saw each other, and ask them how things turned out the next time you see each other.
- If they take your hand, squeeze it or run your thumb over their knuckles.
- Text them. Not just to make plans, but just because.
- Dress up a little when you know you’re going to see them.
- Bring up something little that you remember they once said to you.
- Offer to drive them to the airport.
- Just talk to them. About anything. Whenever you get the chance.
- Check out that TV show/movie/band/restaurant they mentioned. Tell them what you thought of it.
- Compliment them on something you think other people might notice about them.
- Pass them a note during class/a meeting/at a crowded bar.
- Find whatever excuse you possibly can for the two of you to end up at a karaoke bar. Insist on singing a duet.
- Always “randomly” have an extra ticket . (To “this movie,” “this art thing,” “my friend’s band that’s playing,” “this lecture that seemed cool.”)
- Ask their opinion on things. (“What TV show should I watch next on Netflix?”)
- “Like” their stuff on Facebook. (Not too much — just enough to let them know you’re reading.)
- Text back right away.
- Make friends with their friends.
- Tell them, as off-handedly as you can, that they smell good today.
- Send them a postcard when you’re away.
- Give them your number, so you can take the conversation off email/Facebook/Twitter.
- Assume they want coffee and bring them one. Learn how they take it first.
- Post baby animal videos on their Facebook wall.
- Remember their birthday.
- Find a reasonable excuse (birthday, promotion at work) and send them flowers.
- Send them YouTube links to that band they mentioned they liked, or send them links to new bands that you think they’d like.
- Kiss them on the cheek and hug them goodbye, instead of just saying it.
This feature originally appeared on Glamour US.