Can you compliment guys and be nice to them without them thinking you are hitting on them?

In real life I feel like I always have to act abrasive and like a b*tch around guys because any time I'm nice I get the overwhelming feeling that they think I am hitting on them or want to date them. Like I would love to give guys compliments and be a nice person but I have heard from friends and stories about guys who think that gives them permission to do stuff with the girls. I also hateee if anyone knows I have a crush on them so I just outright avoid them and force myself to stop crushing. But I want to be able to have guy friends. Real dilemma here.

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SubstantialKick · 31-35, M

Interesting. You know for me, I've had the same concerns when it comes to women. I feel like if I am too nice, then she will think that something is up...so I just keep the compliments to a minimum.

newdawnnewday · 22-25, F

@SubstantialKick Yeah, from the replies I can see now it can go both ways. Compliments are so lovely though. I wish it could be normalized. Do you give your guy friends compliments bc girls to it to each other all the time?

SubstantialKick · 31-35, M

@newdawnnewday Not really 🤔. As a matter of fact, the guys that I would hang out with (before COVID) never really gave each other many compliments. It was always the girls in the group giving either the guys compliments, or compliments to each other.

newdawnnewday · 22-25, F

@SubstantialKick See that also breaks my heart. It should be normal to hype your friends up without seeming scared of being called "gay" as if 1) thats an insult or 2) just being kind to your friends.

SubstantialKick · 31-35, M

@newdawnnewday I agree 👍🏾.