9 Subtle Signs That Someone Secretly Doesn’t Like You

If you are not very sure if a person is fond of you or not, and you can’t ask them directly, we will give you some tips. Pay very close attention to the way somebody talks to you or the gestures they make. For example, if they purse their lips while talking, this may show a feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

Bright Side wants to help you be more vigilant and be able to sense when somebody is not your biggest fan, so we collected 9 gestures that disclose people’s true feelings.

1. They scratch their neck.

This often means that they are uncertain about something or that they doubt what they are saying. Of course, this type of behavior can be also flirty, but when this is not the case, pay close attention to it. Also, if their shoulders rise toward their ears, hiding their neck somehow, it secretly means that they disagree with you or they’re not telling you the whole truth.

2. They purse their lips.

If you see that they purse their lips, that is usually a sign that something is wrong. If you are talking to them and they do this, it might indicate that they feel very uncomfortable in your presence. But it can also mean that they don’t like the topic or the question you’re asking. Try changing the subject and take a look at their mouth again. Moreover, biting or pursing their lips is a way in which they can calm themselves if they feel anxious.

3. They keep their distance.

If they take a step backward while talking to you, then it might signal that they want to keep some physical or emotional distance from you. In this case, this probably means that they feel uncomfortable. We’re not talking about personal space — which we all need — but you can feel when somebody is purposely eluding you. Even the physical distance is an indication. And let’s be honest: we also avoid those who we are not very fond of.

4. They show a fake smile.

Can you detect a fake smile? Pay very close attention to the angles of their lips and the wrinkles around their eyes. A genuine smile involves tons of facial muscles. So when somebody really laughs at your joke, you can see lines around their eyes. The fake ones don’t involve as many muscles, and they look tensed and forced.

5. They don’t look you in the eye.

Lack of eye contact is, from the start, a bad sign when talking with someone. It might mean that they are not that interested in the conversation, not attracted to you, or that your connection is not as genuine as you thought. Moreover, they might be lying to you because avoiding eye contact is a sign that they are hiding something.

6. They turn their feet away.

If they are not very invested in the conversation, and thus in you, they will position their feet in another direction than directly toward you. Usually, together with the feet, the torso turns as well. Experts call this “ventral denial” or, in our own words, discomfort.

7. They give one-word answers.

If each time you ask a question or start a conversation, their answer is minimal, then they might not be that interested in you. And you can’t make someone talk to you if they don’t want to. Very short answers formed from only one to 3 words show that they might just be responding out of obligation or politeness.

8. They change the tone of their voice.

The tone of voice sets the tone of the bond, or so they say. You’ve probably noticed, though, that when someone speaks in a cold or sharp way, they want to keep their distance — and you will feel to do the same.

9. They keep their hands on the armchair they’re sitting in.

If you’re sitting down at a table and their hands are on their knees, it may indicate that they are very excited about the conversation. If their hands are on the armchair, then they might want to leave as soon as possible because they are not very involved in the present moment.

Have you noticed any of these gestures? What would you do if you saw this body language while talking to somebody?