29 Clear Signs Your Male Coworker Is Attracted to You

1) He's Less Formal

Unlike male coworkers you've known for years, he starts calling you by your first name and doesn't use honorifics. While it's possible that he just respects you more, it's also likely that he wants to get closer to you. Keep in mind: If a coworker is trying hard not to show his interest, it might be because he feels like his feelings are inappropriate. Be respectful of his boundaries and don't assume anything about what he wants—or doesn't want.

2) He Keeps His Distance

Men who are attracted to you will want to spend time with you. If he's hanging back and not asking you out for coffee or showing up late (or not at all) when he hears that a group of colleagues is going out for drinks after work, it might be because he has feelings for you. He may even avoid working closely with you, for fear of being overwhelmed by his feelings. Pay attention to these signs if you're wondering whether your male coworker is interested in you.

3) He Pays Extra Attention to What You're Saying

A man who is romantically interested in you will be on guard for your body language and words, watching closely for any little signs of interest you give him. He's eager to hear what you have to say, even if it has nothing to do with work. If a male coworker seems especially interested in what you're saying--and watching your lips while he's talking--it may be worth taking notice.

4) He Asks Questions About Yourself

Whether he’s asking about your weekend or even just your hobbies, if a male coworker suddenly seems interested in what you have to say, it may be an indication that he’s becoming attracted to you. There’s nothing wrong with having a little fun—after all, office romances are often quite successful—but if you’re not prepared for such advances, it can be difficult. Therefore, understanding how attraction works in a professional setting is vital for any working woman.

5) He Compliments You in an Unusual Way

Men and women often complement each other differently. When a woman gets a new haircut, she’ll often hear you look great! while men are more likely to go with that haircut is awesome or nice haircut. When you notice your male coworker complimenting you in an unusual way—such as commenting on how sharp your skirt looks or how tight your presentation was—there’s a good chance he sees you as more than just another colleague.

6) He Buys Gifts Out of the Blue

If a male coworker buys you lunch or gives you a gift out of nowhere, it could be an indication that he’s attracted to you. If your other coworkers are showering you with gifts, too, it could be because they’re all trying to woo you. In that case, just send them back in separate packages.

7) He Stops by Your Desk Often

If your coworker stops by your desk more often than usual, chances are he’s thinking about you. A man who is interested in a woman will take every opportunity he can get to interact with her. So if you suddenly notice him stopping by your desk more frequently, it could be a sign of his attraction. Give him a warm smile when he comes around and respond accordingly if you feel like he might be trying to flirt with you.

8) He Showcases His Sense of Humor Around You

A sense of humor is an attractive trait in any man. If you notice your male coworker cracking jokes more around you than anyone else, it could be a sign that he’s trying to impress you. Men tend to be self-conscious when they first begin showing interest in someone, so they try their best to make a great first impression by making other people laugh or smiling frequently.

9) He Brings You Coffee

While it might seem like a nice gesture, bringing you coffee is likely less about being thoughtful and more about subtly hinting that he’d like an excuse to talk with you. If he offers unsolicited, resist giving him one; after all, it makes him look thirsty. But if he asks if you want one and you do, feel free to accept—he won’t think any less of you! Just don’t let it happen again.

10) He Gets Worried If You Talk About A Career Change

It’s normal for your coworkers to ask about your job and career, but if he gets antsy whenever you start talking about a potential career change, it may be because he’s looking for a good reason to talk you out of it. If he gives you strange excuses or goes off on tangents, there might be more going on than just friendly concern. He’s probably trying to defend his own position in relation to yours, without having any real interest in keeping you around.

11) He Gets Jealous When You Talk About Other Guys

When your coworker starts showing signs of jealousy when you discuss other guys, it might be because he’s developed feelings for you. If he gets overly defensive and tries to convince you that those guys aren’t worthy, then take notice! He could just want some friendly advice about how best to win you over, but if he seems jealous on a consistent basis, there may be something more going on.

12) He Takes Your Side On Work Issues

Office drama can drive you crazy, but it’s also a great way to get insight into your coworker’s personality. If he consistently takes your side during disputes with others at work, for example, he may be attracted to you. That being said, do not let office relationships go too far! Keep them professional and avoid rumors by keeping things on a strictly friendly level.

13) He Tries To Solve Problems For You At Work

Sometimes, when a man is really interested in a woman, he might try and help her out at work. He could suggest solutions for problems she’s having with her boss or coworkers. If you notice your male coworker trying to fix things for you, it might mean he has feelings for you.

14) He Compliments You In Front Of Coworkers

When you’re working closely with someone, it’s pretty obvious if he has a crush on you. He might say nice things about your personality or looks—but then again, most men aren’t afraid of complimenting any female coworker in front of his male counterparts. If you notice he consistently compliments you in front of other people or repeatedly seeks out your company while at work, it could be that he secretly fancies you.

15) He’s Always Eager To Help You With Things

The most obvious sign of a crush is that your male coworker is always eager to help you with things. For example, if you ask him for a pen or stapler or something else in relation to your job and he’s happy to help out, then there’s a very good chance he likes you. If his coworkers start asking him why he’s always helping her out when she asks, then things are even more serious.

16) He Defends You In Front Of Colleagues

If a male coworker is attracted to you, he’ll go out of his way to defend you. If others don’t respect your opinions or actions and treat you poorly, he will likely stick up for you and make it clear that they should think twice before making assumptions about your work quality. Pay attention if they suddenly become defensive of you in front of their coworkers—it could be a good sign.

17) He Asks You Out On A Date

If you’re looking for a surefire way to know if your coworker is attracted to you, it’s as simple as saying yes. A recent study published in Work and Occupations found that, at least among a predominantly female sample of full-time university employees, men were significantly more likely than women to ask out a female colleague on a date if he found her physically attractive. Think twice before accepting an invitation from that smiling face across your cubicle!

18) He wants to know about your family

It’s difficult to know whether you should tell a coworker personal details about your life, but if he asks questions that veer too far outside of work (or are more personal than general chit-chat), that could be a sign he’s interested in knowing more about you. For example, asking whether you have kids and how old they are can be a way for him to gauge whether or not he has any potential romantic competition from them.

19) He talks about his feelings to you

Men tend to have difficulty opening up about their feelings. They’re more likely than women to suffer from relationship troubles because they refuse to open up about what’s bothering them or how they feel about their partners. It’s important for your male coworker to be able to confide in you, but there are clues that can tell you he feels safe enough with you in order for him to do so.

20) He treats you with respect

Instead of being dismissive or making jokes that your work is a waste of time, he takes you seriously and works with you on a professional level. He follows through on promises: If he tells you he’ll get something done by Friday, it’s getting done by Friday. He stands up for you in meetings: If someone criticizes your work or disagrees with an idea, he supports it and defends it.

21) He takes note of what you’re wearing.

If your coworker often sends you appreciative glances at work or takes note of what you’re wearing, he might be attracted to you. Try wearing one of his favorite outfits sometime and see if he responds positively. If not, perhaps it’s time for a little casual flirting with him.

22) He constantly finds excuses to communicate with you.

Don’t ignore what your gut is telling you about your male coworker. If he seems abnormally interested in communicating with you, it could mean that he has some extra interest beyond work-related topics. If you catch him staring at you or making excuses to talk with you more than necessary, it might be time to take a second look. Subtle signals like these can be indicators of romantic attraction between coworkers.

23) He compliments you randomly but frequently.

Yes, men and women can be friends—in fact, most of my close friendships with women are with those I was once romantically involved with. But do you know what doesn’t mix well? Business and friendship (or romantic entanglements). Here are some telltale signs he’s interested in more than just your professional career.

24) His body language says it all.

One of the most obvious signs a man is attracted to you at work is if he tries not to look at you. A guy who knows he has no chance with you will be comfortable making eye contact, while one who’s falling for you will make a concerted effort not to lock eyes. Another giveaway: He’ll bring up your relationship status or try asking out another coworker in front of you. (Why would he do that?

25) The way he talks to you is different than how he speaks to other colleagues.

When a man is attracted to a woman, he often uses more personal language when he speaks with her. In other words, he may use more pronouns like I and you (as opposed to gender-neutral terms like he or she). A man might also speak in a higher tone than normal or have an unusual amount of body contact (like accidentally brushing up against you).

26) He mimics your actions and body language.

If you notice that your male coworker is copying your mannerisms and routines, there’s a good chance he’s trying to impress you. And if his attention isn’t being received by flirting with you directly, it may be that he just wants an excuse to get close to you physically.

27) He teases you in a flirty way.

If you’re accustomed to him being flirtatious and sarcastic, then a teasing comment or two is not only harmless, but it might even be a sign that he’s interested. But if you never knew him to engage in any type of flirting before, then his teasing might just be out of place.

28) He takes your side in an argument.

There’s nothing more flattering than a man sticking up for you in a fight—whether he knows it or not. Chances are if your coworker has taken your side in an argument, he’s paying extra attention to what you have to say. However, he may also be trying to make you look good at your colleague’s expense.

29) He tends to overshare personal details

Many men are good listeners and find it easier than women to share personal information. (We’re conditioned by our culture, after all.) So if your male coworker is sharing information outside of what’s professionally appropriate, he may be signaling that he’s interested in more than just work.