You don’t deserve to feel intimidated by anyone. Whether it’s that sweaty playground bully or a guy who seems to be fumbling around in his approach.
This article will discuss some of the reasons why he may be intimidating you. It also covers some signs that he actually likes you and is just afraid to make a move.
1. He’s jealous
Jealousy is a normal emotion in many relationships, but some guys get so jealous that they stop being nice to their crush. He may start to show up everywhere you go, or he may be uneasy when you’re around other men. He might even be icy towards your male friends because he’s worried that they will try to steal your attention. This is an abusive behavior that you should definitely avoid.
One of the most obvious signs that he is intimidated by you is when he talks about you in a hushed tone. He might also mention the most intimate details about your life without you requesting it. This means that he wants to be the only man that knows these things about you.
Another sign that he is jealous of you is if he starts to talk about himself in an admiring way. He might say something like “I haven’t had this kind of success with a girl in my whole life”. This is another indication that he feels threatened by you. He’s trying to impress you by talking about his accomplishments and he believes that it will make you jealous of him. If he does this, then you should end the relationship right away. It’s unhealthy for both of you and it can cause heartbreak down the road.
2. He’s insecure
Every guy feels a little unsure of himself (unless he’s a raging egomaniac). It’s not always a bad thing, but if you feel like every time he sees you he gets all nervous, stiffens up, and stammers when talking to you, this could be a sign that he is intimidated by you. If this is the case, he needs your approval and praise to keep his confidence up. This is a recipe for disaster in a relationship, and you should definitely think about rethinking the situation if it’s not working out.
Another red flag of an insecure man is if he constantly compares himself to other men. He may also discourage you from spending time with your male friends or from going out in situations that don’t include him. This is a clear sign that he does not trust you and is afraid you’ll leave him for someone else.
A healthy relationship requires a certain level of trust, but if he is constantly being controlling, possessive, jealous or distrusting, it’s probably best to steer clear. Try introducing him to your friends to show that you’re not afraid of being alone, and perhaps give him the confidence boost he needs. It’s not easy to overcome insecurity, so be patient with him and help him find a way to feel good about himself again.
3. He’s jealous of your success
Men who are jealous of your success can come across as intimidating. They may feel insecure about their own accomplishments or they may just want to be the best and top of their game. They may try to one-up you by claiming to have done it first or by belittling your achievements with sarcastic comments.
When you tell him about a win at work, for example, he might reply with “that’s great but I did that two years ago.” These types of digs are meant to make you doubt your own self-worth. He will probably be more conscious of his words when he’s around you and he will try to use them in a way that won’t hurt your feelings.
If he avoids eye contact with you and seems nervous when you’re together, it can also be a sign of intimidation. He might not be able to look at you directly, because of his own insecurities and fears.
He might also feel intimidated by your independence and a sense that you don’t need him. Whether it’s on the playground, in job interviews or at pickup basketball games, people who intimidate others do so to assert their dominance and power. They often do this by projecting themselves as high in status, so that those they wish to dominate will comply.
4. He’s jealous of your success
A guy who feels intimidated by you may be jealous of your success in one or more areas. When he notices that you’re better than him in certain categories, he might feel threatened and decide to act aggressively. This could be in the form of verbal attacks or silent manipulation. He may also feel the need to constantly prove himself to you by comparing his accomplishments to yours. He will try to show his superiority by attempting to outdo you in every area that matters to him, such as work and sports.
He may be avoiding eye contact with you because he’s nervous around you. This is a clear sign that he’s trying to hide his feelings for you. He will likely talk about your future together in a vague way to avoid telling you how much he really cares.
He may be hesitant to give you his full attention because he’s afraid that you won’t be interested in him. It can be difficult for him to admit that he is intimidated by you, so he will try to hide it. He might make small gestures to reassure you that he loves you, such as scheduling frequent one-on-one time or buying you gifts. However, if these efforts fail to convince you, it may be time to call it quits. It’s less painful than wasting your time with someone who won’t commit to you.
