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Dammit, Why Doesn’t He Like Me Back?! 31 Reasons Why Guys Do This

Do you like a guy, and you’re wondering, why doesn’t he like me back? Want to change his mind? Here’s the honest truth why a guy may not want to date you.

why doesn't he like me?

Do you like a guy who doesn’t seem to like you back no matter what you do? Perhaps, you need to read his mind, and pick the accurate answer to your burning question – why doesn’t he like me back when I’m making it really obvious that I like him?!

Almost all girls have been here before. You like a guy. And you drop a few hints too. But somehow, he either doesn’t see the little hints or doesn’t do anything to reciprocate your affection for him. So does he like you? Is he confused? Or is he just not bothered? Why can’t he just date you?!

[Read: 30 facts about guys that can help you read his mind instantly]

Why doesn’t he like me back?!

If a guy isn’t acknowledging your attention or doing anything about it, there’s a pretty good chance he’s not interested in dating you. In almost all cases, perhaps the best option would be to get over him and move on.

After all, you’ve probably done everything but scream at his face that you’re falling for him. Or maybe, you’ve even told the guy that you like him! And he’s still sitting mum, blinking his eyes and staring at you with a vacant expression on his face.

There are many reasons why a guy may not like you back, some of them are good, because they boost your self esteem. And some of them are bad, because you need to fix yourself for the better. But all said and done, sometimes, you’d feel a lot better knowing why he’s ignoring you – the honest truth. So if you’re looking for signs and reasons on why he doesn’t like you back, here are a few good starter thoughts to think about.

You have to remember that all guys are different, and each of them may have their own reasons for their lack of interest.

[Read: How men fall in love – The 7 stages they go through before falling for a girl]

Why doesn’t he like you back? The honest truth you need to see

But in almost all cases, there’s a good chance his excuse for not falling in love with you may fit snugly in one of these reasons.

1. You’re trying too hard to please him

In your pursuit to make him see the dating potential in you, you may end up pushing him away by appearing too easy to get. Remember, men like a chase and they want their woman to be worth a chase. [Read: Why do guys like a chase and how to use this in your favor]

2. You’re easily available for him

You may want to create a lasting impression by being available for him at his beck and call. Or you may try to spend all the time you can with him. Doing this doesn’t bring both of you close, instead, it can make him hate your obsessive clinginess. Make him desire you and crave for you by maintaining some distance. [Read: 21 signs of a clingy girl and how to avoid turning into one]

3. You’re not his type

There’s nothing you can do here. All guys have their own preferences in a partner, be it the height, the color of a girl’s hair or even something as trivial as the way she laughs.

Don’t change yourself for him. Move on and find a guy who likes you for who you are. Of course, it’s pretty immature to have a “type” in the first place, so consider yourself lucky for dodging a bullet!

4. You’re in his friend zone

He thinks of you as a friend. Does he talk about other girls he finds attractive? Does he talk about gross details you’d only share with your close friends?

While it may seem like a sign of him opening up to you, it could also mean that he looks at you as just another friend he doesn’t have to impress.

5. He likes someone else

Sometimes, you may just be a wee bit late in realizing that he’s a great catch. He may like someone else, or he may even be in a committed relationship with another great girl. [Read: How to steal a guy from his girlfriend if you think you’re better!]

6. He’s not sexually attracted to you

Have you been friends for a long time? While guys look at all girls as sexual objects when they desire them, they usually avoid sexually sizing up girls they consider as good friends. [Read: 20 things that sexually turn a guy on]

7. He doesn’t think you’re both compatible

Do you have a checklist of the things you like and want in a guy? There’s a good chance that he has his own checklist too. And there may be a few personality traits about you that he may not want in his girlfriend. The only way you can ever get to know his preferences is by subtly asking him.

8. Differing emotional temperaments

Do both of you think along the same lines and enjoy similar activities? Sometimes, a guy may think you’re sexy but he may also see a huge difference in the way you both see and approach life.

It just happens, and you should let go, because no guy is worth changing your life for!

9. He’s gay

You may think this is a joke, but many girls have been there and experienced this. Most guys who aren’t straight are closet gays who don’t reveal their sexual preferences to anyone. Sometimes, they may even date a girl just to fit in! [Read: 20 subtle but almost-sure signs the guy you like is gay]

10. He has unreasonable standards

Ever met a cocky guy who thinks he’s God’s gift to womenkind? Well, some guys have very high opinions about themselves and have unreasonable demands and expectations from their prospective girlfriend. Forget about this narcissistic guy, he’ll come crawling back to you after every girl throws him in the dirt.

11. Different backgrounds

He may be interested in you, but he may fear that his close ones and friends may not approve of you. It’s strange, but sometimes, immature guys can do a lot just to fit in and belong.

12. Religious and spiritual views

Yes, we do have a few guys who still give this aspect a lot of attention. While this may not be a primary reason, clubbed with other signs, it can help him make up his mind against dating you.

13. He’s not ready for a relationship

Has he just broken up with his girlfriend? Or does he like living life like a player? He may like you, but if he has no interest in committing to someone, he may pretend like he doesn’t care about you just to avoid getting into a relationship. [Read: He likes you but isn’t ready for a relationship? Here’s what to do]

14. He doesn’t want to ruin the friendship

He may like you, but he may like you more as a friend. If he thinks both of you are better off as friends, he may avoid even thinking of you as anything more because of the fear of losing the special bond both of you share.

15. He has no idea that you like him

At times, guys can be pretty thick in the head. He may have no idea that you even like him. Now most guys are quick to read the signs and make it clear that they like you too, but there are a few odd one who need to hear it before doing something about it. [Read: How to ask a guy out like a classy girl]

16. You’re creeping him out

Are you clinging on to him every time you meet him? Do you push all his friends aside just to stand next to him? Do you pinch his cheek or hold his hands all the time? Watch out for a restraining order!

17. There’s a big age difference

Are you a 17 year old girl in love with a 28 year old guy? There are two ways to this. you think he’s hot, and he thinks you’re a child. Or he may think you’re cute and sexy and he may even want you badly. But legal thoughts aside, he’d want to stay away from you in fear of being called a cradle snatcher.

18. He needs time

A guy may like you, but he may not be interested in a relationship with you right now. It’s as simple as that. And there’s nothing you can do about it. He may have different priorities like running his own company or focusing on his job. The reasons could be several, but it all comes down to the simple fact that he needs time and can’t be yours anytime soon. [Read: 20 sure reasons why a guy could be intentionally ignoring you]

19. He thinks pretty girls are not for keeps

Some guys stay away from pretty girls. He may have had his share of two timing girlfriends or may have been stuck in an insecure relationship with a girl who was too good for him. If he’s scarred by a pretty girl, he may stay away from anyone who seems too good to be true.

20. He’s just too shy

You can literally tell a shy guy you like him, and even ask him out on a date! And he may still stare at the floor, shake his head and tell you he doesn’t like you that way. And then go back home and cry himself to sleep because he didn’t have the stomach to ask you out. If you like a shy guy and are wondering he doesn’t like you back, maybe it’s time to take your effort down a notch. Give him some space to breathe! [Read: 15 baby steps to flirt with a shy guy and get him to open up to you]

21. He thinks you’re immature

You like him, he likes you. BUT he doesn’t think you have the emotional maturity to handle a real relationship. Relationships do take a lot of work, and a decent bit of sacrifice and investment over the long term. Maybe he thinks you don’t have what it takes because you just take life too easy. [Read: Do you think you’re mature? Check these 25 signs to know if you have the right kind of maturity]

22. He thinks you’re high maintenance

This is not you’re fault, and if you’re a self-made woman who can take care of herself, well, good for you! And bad for him! Some guys are scared to date women who are more successful than them. But on the other hand, if you’re a high maintenance girl who just expects a guy to take care of you, and you take zero effort yourself, well, good luck finding a guy! [Read: 15 signs you’re a high maintenance woman who’s worth it]

23. He thinks you’re too flirty

Some guys can handle this, because they’re confident and secure about themselves. But many others *make that almost all others* have a hard time feeling secure in a relationship with a girl who’s just a bit too naturally flirty and touchy with every guy they meet. You don’t have to change who you are just to win a guy, but you have to accept that maybe he’s just not secure enough to handle a girl like you.

24. He sees you hooking up

This is sexist, and maybe a bit unfair too. You’re hooking up with guys because you haven’t found the right guy yet. So you’re probably playing the field and having your share of fun until you find the right guy. But maybe all is sees is you having one night stands, or casual relationships. And as much as he likes you, he “disapproves” of your wild ways and doesn’t want to fall for you, because he thinks he’ll just be another notch on your bedpost. [Read: 18 things you do that makes guys think you’re an easy lay]

25. He doesn’t think you two are compatible

Sometimes, a guy may really like you and find you attractive. But the more he gets to know you, they more he starts to believe you and he share nothing in common with each other. It may be your ideologies, or the way you approach life. It doesn’t matter what it is, but if he is convinced you don’t “think like him” there’s a good chance he’ll avoid pursuing you.

26. He thinks you’re fake

We’ve bought this upon ourselves with our social media addiction, but do you think you’re just a little too fake for his comfort? If you’re wondering why doesn’t he like you, have you been “extra-fake” around him? Like posting a picture that you’re on vacation, or at a first class lounge at an airport – when you’re sitting at home in your pajamas? Sometimes, in our pursuit to look “cool”, we end up looking fake!

27. He’s intimidated by you

Maybe you’re just too awesome, or just too intimidating! This happens to the best of guys, and hey, what can you do about it?! Some guys are intimidated by success, others by goth chicks or tall chicks, and some guys by girls with too many tattoos. You may be nice to him and even flirt with him, but if you’re wondering why he doesn’t like you back, there’s a possibility he’s intimidated by you. How can you tell? See if he’s nervous around you!

28. He believes you’re not ready for a relationship

You may be showing him all the signs that you like him. But if he’s a friend and he’s seen you in other relationships with other guys, chances are, he may believe you’re not emotionally invested in your relationships or that you’re just not ready to commit to a serious relationship.

29. You’re mean

Okay, we’re not talking about the resting bitch face here. Though, of course, that doesn’t make life easier for you! But do you think you’re generally just a bit more intolerant of people who let you down? Are you just a wee bit rude to service staff or people beneath you, because “they’re not doing their job well”? Well, he sees this, and he doesn’t like it.

30. You’re out of his league

Sucks to be as hot and sexy as you, then? Not at all! You’ve won the genetic lottery, so that’s nothing to be ashamed of. If a guy doesn’t like you back because he thinks you’re too good for him, maybe it’s time you let him know that you like him. Be more approachable to him, and help him overcome his fear of your awesomeness! [Read: How to let a man know you’re not out of his league]

31. He’s scared to ask you out

This may sound silly, but there are a lot of great guys out there who know that a great girl likes them. But they don’t do anything about it because they’re too lily livered and yellow to man up and ask a girl out. What do you do here? Learn how to get a guy to ask you out and drop all the right kind of hints!

The reasons behind why a guy doesn’t like you could be any of these. But what matters is what you’re going to do about it when a guy doesn’t show any romantic interest in you.

[Read: How to get any guy to like you – 26 super moves that drive men crazy!]

Instead of asking “why doesn’t he like me?” give him a few subtle signs and wait for his response. If he doesn’t do anything, walk away. There are too many fish in the sea to care about one that leaves you with a bad taste in the mouth!

Want to read his mind better? Check out these features:

Why is he texting me if he’s not interested? 15 shady reasons why

Is he shy or not interested? The 20 signs to decode his behavior

Is he leading you on? 16 definitive signs he’s playing you for fun

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Vinod Srinivas Serai
Vin Serai
Vin Serai is the founder of LovePanky.com, and has delved deep into the working of love and relationships for almost two decades. Having dipped his feet in almo...