It’s not always easy to tell when someone dislikes you, especially if they never come out and say it directly.
Some people prefer to avoid confrontation, choosing instead to express their feelings through subtle actions or body language.
These behaviors may seem insignificant on the surface but can reveal a lot if you’re paying attention.
Often, it’s the small, everyday interactions that provide the most insight into how someone truly feels about you.
Picking up on these signs can help you understand your relationships better and save you from investing your energy where it may not be reciprocated.
1) They avoid eye contact
When two people connect, there’s usually a lot of eye contact—it’s a sign of interest and engagement.
However, when someone isn’t too fond of you, they’ll often avoid meeting your eyes.
It’s not that they’re shy or introverted. It’s more about the fact that eye contact can be quite intimate, and they simply don’t want to share that intimacy with you.
They might look away quickly when your eyes meet or they might not look at you at all, even when you’re speaking directly to them.
This subtle behavior may seem insignificant, but it can reveal a lot about their feelings towards you.
2) Their body language is closed off
Body language says a lot about how someone feels towards you.
When they like you, they’ll typically lean in, face you directly, and use open body language.
But when they don’t like you, their body language becomes closed off.
They might cross their arms or legs or turn their body away from you.
It’s like they’re creating a physical barrier between the two of you.
I remember this one time when I was at a party, chatting with a group of people.
There was this guy, let’s call him Jack.
He was part of the group but his body was always turned slightly away from me.
Even when I tried to engage him in the conversation, he’d respond but without turning his body towards me.
His arms would be crossed and he’d rarely look at me.
It was clear from his body language that he wasn’t really comfortable around me.
3) They’re always too busy for you
People make time for what, or who, they consider important.
When someone dislikes you, they’ll often seem perpetually busy.
It’s not that they can’t spare a few minutes for you, it’s more that they don’t want to.
They might repeatedly cancel plans or always have an excuse ready to avoid spending time with you.
I once had a colleague who would always say she was swamped with work whenever I asked her to join us for lunch.
She never seemed to have the time, but she would happily join others when they asked.
In hindsight, I realize that her constant busyness was just an excuse to avoid me.
Her actions were a clear indicator of her feelings towards me, even though she never said it out loud.
4) They hardly initiate conversations
Ever find yourself always being the one to reach out, to start conversations?
If so, you’re not alone!
Those who like us tend to initiate contact more often—but when someone isn’t fond of you, they’ll rarely be the one to reach out or start a conversation.
It’s like they’re fine with your existence, as long as it doesn’t intersect with theirs too much.
I had a neighbor who would never acknowledge me unless I greeted him first.
Even then, his responses were always brief and he’d quickly move away.
5) They give noncommittal responses
Ever had a conversation where the other person’s responses feel like they’re just going through the motions?
They might respond with “Hmm”, “Okay”, or “I see”, but never really engage in the conversation.
These noncommittal responses can be a subtle sign that they don’t particularly like you.
It’s their way of keeping the conversation short and impersonal.
Think back to conversations with people you suspect may not like you.
Do their responses lack enthusiasm or interest? Are they terse and noncommittal?
If so, this could be a subtle sign of their feelings towards you, even if they never express it directly.
6) They rarely share personal details
Sharing personal details is a way of building trust and intimacy between people.
It’s a sign that they’re comfortable with you and see you as someone they can confide in.
However, when someone doesn’t like you, they’ll often avoid sharing personal information.
Their conversations with you will likely stay on the surface, never delving into personal territory.
They won’t discuss their feelings, their past, or their dreams and hopes for the future.
They might not even share simple details about their day.
7) They seem indifferent to your successes
When someone truly likes you, they celebrate your victories with you, no matter how big or small.
They’re genuinely happy for you and your success.
But when someone isn’t fond of you, they often display a distinct indifference to your achievements.
They might not comment at all, or if they do, their comments are often lukewarm and lack genuine enthusiasm.
They won’t congratulate you enthusiastically or ask detailed questions about your success.
Instead, they might quickly change the subject or give a simple nod before moving on.
This indifference can be a subtle sign that they don’t particularly like you, even if they never say it out loud.
8) They’re quick to criticize or dismiss your ideas
The ability to respectfully disagree and offer constructive criticism is a sign of a healthy relationship.
But when someone doesn’t like you, their responses to your ideas can take on a different tone.
They’re quick to criticize or dismiss your thoughts, often without even considering them fully.
It’s like they’ve already decided that your ideas have little value, simply because they come from you—it’s not just about big ideas or important decisions, even your opinions on simple things, like a movie or a book, might be dismissed without a second thought.
This habitual criticism and dismissal can be a subtle sign that they don’t like you, even if they never say it outright.
So if you notice someone consistently dismissing your ideas or being overly critical, it could be a sign of their underlying feelings towards you.
Final thoughts
Understanding how someone feels about you isn’t always about listening to what they say; sometimes, it’s about noticing what they do.
While these behaviors may be subtle, they can tell you a lot about a person’s true feelings.
The ability to spot these signs isn’t about being overly suspicious or reading too much into things, but about being aware of the dynamics in your relationships.
By paying closer attention to these cues, you can make more informed choices about who to invest your time and emotions in.
It allows you to foster healthier, more genuine connections, while also protecting your emotional well-being.
What would Jesus say?
Unsure whether to move on from a failed marriage? Struggling with desire and feeling guilty for it? Wanting to live a life Jesus would be proud of?
Let Jesus tell you how to be a good Christian according to the teachings of the Bible.
We brought Jesus back to life with the help of AI. Ask your toughest life questions, and Jesus will tell you exactly what to do.
