10 Hints to Give Your Crush Without Looking Desperate

Ah, the first time you crush on someone. It’s one of those special moments you remember fondly. At least I do. I was awkward. I was nervous. And honestly, I didn’t have the slightest clue what I was doing.

I dropped hints… some were subtle, some made me look like a desperate idiot. I even made some hints so over-the-top that I probably scared her off.

Hinting doesn’t need to be big dramatic gestures. Truth is, it’s pretty much the opposite. Little things. Consistent things. Things that don’t come off forced.

But you’ve come here because you like someone and you want them to notice you… without looking crazy or desperate. Heck, I know how you feel. Heck, I’ve coached dozens of guys and girls just like you who totally botched it.

The good news? Hinting can be learned. And once you know how to do it well, you’ll feel more confident, playful, and in control of your dating life.

Ready to learn?

10 Hints to Give Your Crush

1. Hint 1: Drop Subtle Compliments

Subtle compliments are gold. Too many guys and girls use compliments as a crutch and end up overdoing them. If that’s you, stop. Scale back hard.

On the flip side, if you never compliment your crush, you might go years without them realizing you’re into them.

Find a happy medium.

Here’s the thing about subtle compliments: they work best when they’re specific, genuine, and casual.

So instead of saying “You’re so beautiful” every time you speak to her, try paying them a compliment on something small.

“I like the way you explain things. Makes it so easy to understand.”
“That color looks really good on you.”
“I noticed you listened to that podcast I mentioned? You have good taste.”

Notice something about these examples? Specificity.

By zeroing in on something specific to your crush, you’re showing them that you pay attention to them. It feels personal, thoughtful, and you don’t come off like a try-hard.

2. Hint 2: Light Teasing & Playful Banter

Playful teasing is an awesome way to build chemistry with your crush. Done right, teasing can make you feel like two friends sharing an inside joke versus two strangers trying to flirt.

Another thing I’ve learned over the years? Most relationships that are built to LAST started with laughter.

Try it next time you’re hanging with your crush:

Are they always late? Playfully joke they must run their own timezone because they’re late so often.
Do they take everything too seriously? Tease them about losing (if you’re joking around about a game, for example).
Do they talk too much? Laugh and tell them you need them to be quiet for once.

Light teasing is fun, not serious. Don’t make personal jabs, and don’t go overboard. When you drop hints like this, your goal is to make your crush smile and associate you with fun times.

3. Hint 3: Eye Contact & Smiling

OK, so this hint is pretty damn basic but you’d be surprised how many people skip over it. Eye contact and smiling are subtle hints you like someone.

We all know when someone smiles and makes eye contact with us. It’s natural. We like it. Here’s how to use it to your advantage:

Eye Contact – When they’re talking to you, hold their gaze with intermittent eye contact. Don’t creep them out by staring, but let them know you’re paying attention by looking at them.
Smiling – Ever notice how good it feels when you’re around someone who smiles at you? It’s the same thing here. Smile when you’re talking to them. It lets them know you enjoy talking to them. Humans are wired to be attracted to people who make them feel good.

Pro tip: Combining this hint with verbal hints works GREAT. Give them a subtle compliment? Hold their gaze as you say it and smile.

4. Hint 4: Mirror Their Body Language

Mirroring is a subtle psychology hack that you can use to your advantage. When you and another person subtly mimic each other’s movements, your crush will feel more connected to you.

Fun fact: you might be already doing this without realizing it.

Every time you’re having a natural conversation with someone, you’ll mirror their actions. You lean forward? So does your crush. They laugh? You laugh. You raise your voice? So do they.

When you mirror someone, ramp it down slightly.

Want examples? Here you go:

They take slow sips of water from their bottle? You take long sips from yours.
They speak with certain slang or phrases? Start using them too.

By mirroring their movements and speech, you build rapport. You and your crush will feel more in sync with each other.

5. Hint 5: Show Interest in What They Say

Could this hint be any more straightforward? When you show interest in what your crush has to say, you’re showing YOU have interest in them.

Ask questions, then listen to what they say. Show interest by asking follow-up questions on the details they mention.

Want examples?

They say they love photography. “What’s your favorite photo you’ve ever taken?”
They mention they’re working on a project. “How’s that going for you?”

The key to this hint is to FOLLOW UP on the details they share with you. Ask a question about something they say, and then circle back to it later on.

“How’s that photography class you were taking? You better not miss me!”

This subtle hint tells your crush that you care about what they say. You don’t just ask questions and move on—you listen and reference what they tell you later on.

6. Hint 6: Casual Touches

Touch is one of the best non-verbal ways to hint that you’re into someone. Light, casual touches can go a long way, but you have to be careful not to go overboard.

Examples:

Brush their shoulder when laughing at a joke.
Lightly grasp their arm when making a point.
High-five, fist bump, or tap their leg when hanging out with friends.

Of course, only go in for the touch if their body language is open and receptive. Smile when you touch them and look for their reaction. They lean into you or smile? Gucci. They pull away? Take a step back.

Casual touches let your crush know you’re warm and comfortable around them. It’s a very powerful hint.

7. Hint 7: Be Slightly Mysterious

Hinting at someone is difficult because most people take it too far. You think you have to come clean with your feelings, share every detail about your life, and go SUPER hard on picking up hints.

NOPE.

Being mysterious is an art. When done right, you’ll show your crush you’re interested by hinting at the good parts of your life.

Don’t say everything you want to say in one conversation. Spread it out instead.

Don’t show your crush your entire life at once. Give them glimpses of your personality — your humor, your goals, or the things you’re passionate about. Keep them guessing.

And when you’re busy or can’t hang sometimes, it shows you have a life outside of them. Everyone finds that attractive.

8. Hint 8: Compliment Their Personality

Boy, do I see this one wrong ALL the time with clients.

You like her? COMPLIMENT HER PERSONALITY.

We focus so hard on their look that we forget the things that make them who they are. Here are some examples:

“You have a great way of making people feel welcome.”
“I admire your passion for your job.”
“You always look at things from different angles. It’s pretty cool.”

When you compliment their personality, you’re showing your crush you like them for who they ARE. Lowkey the most important hint you can do.

9. Hint 9: Flirt Via Text

Look, if you’re reading this and you have your crush’s phone number, you’re already halfway there.

Texting your crush is one of the easiest ways to drop hints. Best part? You don’t even have to see them to do it.

Just remember this: keep it playful and don’t overthink it.

Make them laugh. “Couldn’t help but notice I haven’t seen your face all day. Seriously, we’re problems.”
Show interest. “Saw this and thought of you. Thought you’d get a kick out of it.”
Tease them (light teasing, remember?). “Are you always this competitive or is it just with me?”

Quick tips:

Don’t write your crush novel texts. Short and sweet is best here.
Have a hint you want to say? Say it. Don’t wait around sending them 100 messages before they reply.
Don’t obsess over the timing of your texts. Have fun with it. Ask questions, show interest, and make them laugh.

The goal of texting your crush is to get them excited to see your messages. Don’t take it too seriously and you’ll do great.

10. Hint 10: Make Time For Them

Ah yes, the granddaddy of them all. If you can master this hint, you’ll have your crush wrapped around your finger.

Making time for someone is a subtle way of showing them YOU care about spending time with them.

Want to know the best part? It doesn’t mean you drop everything and run to their every beck and call. It means you find small ways to be involved with them.

Try these on for size:

Ask them to hang after noticing common interests. “I heard about this coffee shop. Want to check it out with me sometime?”
Make an effort when they have important events: birthdays, presentations, outings with friends.
Create moments they’ll remember: inside jokes, hilarious texts, surprise gestures here and there.

It’s the simple things that matter. When you make time for someone, you’re sending a powerful hint that YOU LIKE THEM.

Conclusion

Hinting at your crush doesn’t have to be awkward or over-the-top. With these 10 tips, you now have actionable ways to show interest subtly and confidently. The key? Be consistent, playful, and observant. Small gestures add up and can make a big difference in how your crush perceives you.

Remember: confidence, attention to detail, and subtlety are your best allies.

FAQ

Q: How do I know if my hints are working?
A: Look for reciprocal behavior—smiles, laughter, prolonged conversations, teasing back, or initiating contact. If they engage with you similarly, your hints are landing.

Q: What if I’m too shy to use these hints?
A: Start small. Begin with eye contact, smiles, and subtle compliments. Gradually incorporate playful texts or light teasing. Confidence grows with practice.

Q: Can I hint at someone I barely know?
A: Yes, but start by building rapport. Mirror their behavior, ask questions about their interests, and share small details about yourself. Keep it natural.

Q: How often should I give hints?
A: Balance is key. Give hints consistently but not all at once. Spread them over time so they feel gradual and authentic.

Q: Can hinting backfire?
A: Only if it’s too intense or over-the-top. Avoid being overly clingy, constantly texting, or trying to force interaction. Subtlety is your friend.

Q: How do I escalate from hints to asking them out?
A: Once you notice positive signals and mutual interest, transition naturally. Invite them to a casual activity or coffee. Keep it light, confident, and fun.

Save the pin for later