Is your boyfriend a big charmer? It’s not a bad thing in itself – after all, it probably helped him sweep you off your feet. You might have a problem if your partner prefers to flirt with other people rather than you. He might be an extrovert who loves some innocent teasing, but what if it’s not that innocent? Find out if your partner is a flirt or just a people person.
Are you a big ol’ flirt?
Is your boyfriend too nice to other people, or are you being unreasonable? Sometimes it’s hard to tell if you have a valid reason for concern. If you want to discern between friendly and flirtatious behavior, pay attention to these signs:
A hug can be innocent, but being in someone’s personal space is not. Watch out for your boyfriend being too physically intimate with other people, especially if he’s not willing to touch you the same way.
Of course, chatting with a friend or joining a conversation in a group is perfectly normal. It’s when your boyfriend is dismissive of you and always prefers to talk to others than to you when you might have a problem.
Perhaps he’s just being nice, but giving someone a lot of compliments might indicate something more than just friendly feelings.
A friendly guy will treat everyone in the same cordial manner. He’s being flirty if he’s focusing on one person, greeting them particularly warmly, only engaging in a conversation with them, and mirroring their behavior.
Making eye contact with someone you’re talking to is polite, but too much is suspicious. If you catch him gazing endlessly into the other person’s eyes, you might have a problem.
How to tell if your boyfriend is flirting with others over texts? He’s cagey with his phone, has a habit of texting when you’re together, and gets defensive when you ask him questions.
Does your boyfriend treat you differently than he used to? Does he keep canceling on you? Does it seem like he’s losing interest? He might be more interested in other people than in you.
It might be painful to ask yourself that, but is it time to let him go?
Of course, not every familiar interaction is a cause for alarm. Your boyfriend might be naturally social and like to connect with others. He might also be more relaxed about what’s appropriate and what’s not.
A lot depends on what you feel comfortable with and where your boundaries are. You might be okay with your boyfriend dancing with another girl, but not with him putting his hands on her waist. You can respect his right to privacy and agree not to pry into his conversations, but he shouldn’t be spending your dates texting all the time.
These are just examples. Consider setting some ground rules on what behavior crosses the line – something that will work for you both.
How to react when your boyfriend’s flirtatious behavior gets out of hand? Here’s what you should do to keep your relationship from falling apart.
Giving him the silent treatment or being passive-aggressive won’t help. Instead, try to talk to him openly and let him know how you feel. It’s possible he doesn’t even know what he does is hurting you. Either way, you won’t go far without communication.
Be careful about making a huge deal out of a situation. Avoid verbal attacks, hasty accusations, and spiraling into paranoid thoughts. It won’t help you fix your relationship or make you feel better.
Can you actually trust your boyfriend not to do anything shady? Does he have a history of concerning behavior? If he’s given you a reason to doubt him in the past, your suspicions might be valid. On the other hand, if he’s never been anything other than faithful and loyal, you could be getting ahead of yourself.
What would you do if you had proof that he was making advances on other people? Can you forgive him and move on, or is it a deal breaker? Should you forgive him, especially if this isn’t the first time? Consider the best path for yourself.
You might be hesitant to involve other people in your relationship, but the thing is – your friends might see more than you do. They might be able to offer you some advice and help you decide what to do.
Is the honeymoon period over? Are you losing feelings for your boyfriend?
If your partner isn’t willing to correct his inappropriate behavior, or if his flirting has turned into cheating, you might want to cut your losses and let him go.
Flirting is a natural behavior, but when does it get too much? How flirty is your boyfriend? Is he a big tease or just a friendly person? Take the test and discover the truth.
