ADVERTISEMENT

Correct me if I’m wrong, but the language of love is never straightforward. In fact, we often tend to communicate much more subtly; through hints, messages, gestures, and references, hoping that our love interest or significant other would actually get it.

But sometimes, much more often than we think, it’s not how it works. Call it miscommunication, but romantic messages do not always reach their addressee which results in some pretty hilarious stories to tell.

So this time, we’re taking a look at some of these missed opportunities and how reality won over intention. Have a good laugh! After you're done, be sure to check out our previous post with more obvious hints from girls that guys did not notice.

#1

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame In high school I walked into a classroom and a very attractive girl that was an acquaintance at most came up to me and said "djw, did you know that Rodrigo and I broke up?"
I said, "oh, sorry to hear that," and went on my way.
Then I spent the rest of the day and night thinking about that. Why the hell would SHE tell me that? Why they hell would she tell ME that? Why was she smiling when she told me that?
The next time I saw her, I asked her what she was doing that weekend and she said, "nothing, do you want to go to a movie?" And that was the moment that I realized what was happening. And I wound up getting a date out of it.
And eventually, a family.

djw319 , kasharimitchell Report

#2

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame "Hey, there's room in my tent if you want to join me"
"Thanks, but I brought my own tent!"
And that's the story of why my friends think I'm socially retarded

Jetstream-Sam , Hari Nandakumar Report

#3

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame A girl once burned me a mix CD of almost nothing but love songs. My guy friends and I held a small conference where we listened to the CD in full and tried to see if there was some hidden message there. We came up with a solid maybe. There were 6 of us debating this.

justaspacecowboy , Chris Yates Report

ADVERTISEMENT

Love is a tricky game. No wonder there are volumes upon volumes of books, TV shows, podcasts, and even courses created to help us navigate its rocky terrain. Sometimes it pays off, but often our romantic hopes get shattered and time is the only power that’s able to heal that wound.

So in order to find out how to really determine whether your romantic interest is into you, we spoke with James Preece, a leading Dating Expert in the UK who has helped 1000s of single people. No wonder people often describe him as the UK’s version of Hitch.

#4

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame Me posting on Facebook: “anyone wanna go hiking this weekend?”

Cute girl: “I’ll go.”

After a long hike and dinner, I still didn’t know I was on a date until I was dropping her off. Seriously thought we were just hiking. We’re married now.

72scott72 , Christopher Burns Report

Add photo comments
POST
queeronabike avatar
Andy Acceber
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's okay. My second date with my wife was a booty call. At least, I thought she booty called me. She hadn't. She had given up on us. I had misunderstood. Well, all's well that ends well.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame A girl literally confessed her feelings directly to me and I didn't hear it cause I zoned out looking at a squirrel

burningfreedom4 , Julian Report

#6

Picture this: teenage me in bed with my girlfriend, sans clothes and doing some heavy petting. I had a condom in my wallet, like a sauve motherf*cker. She asked to see it. I told her “I only want to take it out of the package if I’m going to use it.” She replied “Okay, take it out.” Me: “Nah, I only want to take it out if I’m going to use it.” Her: “Let’s take it out.” Me: “No, don’t want to waste it.” Her: “...”

Fast forward 15 years to me sitting thinking while in the dentists chair and being like “Holy f*ck, I’m a moron...”

Throwaway7219017 Report

Add photo comments
POST
queeronabike avatar
Andy Acceber
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ouch, and all this poor girl heard was that you'd consider sex with her a waste. Absolute communication failure. Lol. Live and learn.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

So first off, we wanted to figure out what you should do if your romantic interest is not getting your subtle hints, no matter what you do. “If you've tried being subtle and it didn't get noticed, then it's time to change tact,” the dating expert said. “It's worth noting that they might already be aware of your interest, but they aren't sure how to react. If they aren't keen, then they will pretend they've not noticed to avoid embarrassment.”

#7

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame Her: Do you have a girlfriend?

Me: No...no one would date me anyway.

Her: I’d date you.

Me: Thanks, but you don’t need to pity me.

Her: I would date you

Me: Thanks but...

Her: Are you free on Saturday?

Me: Surprised Pikachu face

And we’re going on two years in October

FlaxinWaxin , Mark Decile Report

#8

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame Early interaction with my boyfriend-
Me: "That suit looks great on you. It would look better on the floor."
Him: "That would wrinkle the suit."

Truffleshuffled , Ben Rosett Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame Watching TV in my living room at roughly 2am, in the dark
Her: applying strawberry lip gloss.
Me: why are you putting on lip gloss?
Her: strawberry lip gloss tastes so nice.
Me: haha youre weird
Her: want to taste?
Me: nah I already know what it tastes like
Commence several years of late night self loathing and regret

LordCande , Youssef Labib Report

ADVERTISEMENT

Having said that, James explained that “if they like you then they need it spelled out clearly just in case they've got it wrong.” What he suggests is “rather than an over-the-top romantic gesture, just ask them if they'd like to go out on a date one evening.” James assured us that it doesn't need to be more complicated than that and they might be curious about just one meeting.

#10

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame I was living with my then-boyfriend a few years ago. Feeling a little flirtatious, I suggested we could take a shower together, you know, to save water, wink wink.
His response? "Why? We don't pay for water."
Shut. Down.

Eternally_Curious , The Creative Exchange Report

#11

In high school, a girl invited me to her house after school, and brought me up to her room. Once we were there, she excused herself to go change in the bathroom. She was in there about 10 minutes.

Then her mom came home and immediately started yelling at her for having a boy over, and I had to leave. She (the daughter) walked me outside and said, "I'm not sure why you didn't try anything when I was naked in the bathroom..."

So she thought that was a huge hint.

Meanwhile, I'm thinking, "She seemed 100% into me and it seemed like we were about to hook up, but why the [hell] would I barge into the bathroom to watch her change? Maybe that's what she wanted, but with someone else, I could have ended up labeled as a sexual predator."

There was another time that I was alone at a beach at night with a girl in my class, and she suggested that we go skinny dipping. When we were both naked and dripping wet, I tried to make a move, and she shut me down immediately saying that she didn't mean to send me signals.

Anyway, my advice for people is not to take/give hints. Be mature and talk about it.

Lovebot_AI Report

Add photo comments
POST
nuguanugua avatar
Nugua Nugua
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The first one is just really strange. This has nothing to do with women or men, it's just a really bad “hint“.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#12

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame Girl kisses me in the dark in her bedroom at her birthday party. "You should leave before we do something stupid," she whispers. I nod and leave.

reddit , Jonathan Borba Report

Add photo comments
POST
queeronabike avatar
Andy Acceber
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't worry. That was sweet. You proved you understand consent and hopefully she learned about your need for clearer communication. Lol.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

However, at some point, it may become evident that unfortunately, your interest is not romantically interested in you. James said that if you've tried a few different techniques, then it's probably a good idea to accept it's not going to work. “This can often be because you've already established a friendship or working relationship. Once you get categorized then it's very difficult to get them to change that.”

#13

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame Can I say one I was oblivious to?
I was out of town, chatting to a girl at a bar. We figured out I was 13 inches taller than her. She said, "That's funny, I'm going on a date with a guy who is 13 inches taller than me tomorrow. And I'll probably f*ck him after."
My response? "Well, that's a weird coincidence!"
I didn't figure it out until I was on a plane home.

[deleted] , Alex Voulgaris Report

#14

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame She learned to say I love you in my parents native language. And I still missed the hint.

littlebubulle , Patrik Velich Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#15

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame I was living overseas in a place where it was difficult to find CDs (this was pre-streaming). A girl I knew had started chatted to me on Facebook. I thought nothing much of it, figured she was out of my league, it was nice to chat. But, you know, I chatted to lots of people.

A few weeks into this chatting, I get a package in the mail. In it is Radiohead's "In Rainbows", with a note that says, "Hope you enjoy. My favorite track is 8. x"

I message her, I say thanks and that I really dug track 5.

"What about track 8?"

"Oh, yeah, it's okay."

"I really think you should listen to track 8 again."

Track 8 was "House of Cards", which opens: "I don't want to be your friend / I just want to be your lover / No matter how it ends / No matter how it starts"

Still kicking myself.

freddieface , Bru-nO Report

Moreover, “if they are constantly talking about the dates they are going on or asking your opinion on partners then that's a clear sign you aren't their target,” the dating expert said and added that in this case, it’s best to “just carry on enjoying their company the way it is and look to date other people instead.”

#16

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame When I was drunkenly flirting with a girl (I never flirt and I'm horrible with girls in general so didn't think I was getting anywhere) and asked her where the bathroom was. She said 'I'll show you' then came in with me and asked what I wanted to do.

Awfully confused I says 'well I want to have a piss, you'll have to leave'.

She said 'oh' and left

Took me about 6 months before I figured that one out

[deleted] , Markel Hall Report

Add photo comments
POST
mark-mckenzie_1 avatar
anarkzie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She was probably drunk also but that was not a good move on her part either, unless you said it in a way that gave the impression that you did not really need the bathroom then trying to do stuff with someone that really needs to either pee or crap is doomed to fail.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame Via text
Girl: Are you going to that party?
Me: Yeah for a little bit. Probably gonna be boring.
Girl: Yeah...was thinking of just staying in.
Me: Probably a good plan.
Girl: So yeah...I'll just be here tonight. Roommates are gone.
Me: Sounds nice; my roommates never leave.
Girl: Ok. So. I'll be here all alone in my apartment. If the party sucks.
Me: Very good.

duh_metrius , Clique Images Report

#18

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame A girl literally asked me to help her change. We were alone in her house. I respectfully declined for her privacy.

LordPassionFruit , Sofy Marquez Report

Add photo comments
POST
brendanroberts avatar
Brendan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good for you, man. You may have missed an opportunity, but there's nothing wrong with being respectful.

View more commentsArrow down menu

When it comes to dating in general, James confirmed that the pandemic has really changed the way people are dating. “They've been forced to slow things down, which is actually a great thing. They've had a great chance to reflect on what they do and don't want.”

The dating coach also said that he firmly believes that people are now much more serious about finding a long-term partner and they aren't willing to settle anymore. “So they are less likely to be messing around on dating apps and more likely to look to meet people in the real world,” James concluded.

#19

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame She invited me to go swimming with her in college, but before we went to the pool, we'd need to stop at her room so I could tell her which bikini looked the best on her. My stupid ass said, "I'm sure they all look great, just pick one and meet me at the pool."

downsouthcountry , Haley Phelps Report

#20

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame She asked if I was interested in dating. Thought she meant in general and said no because I didn't really have an interest in dating anyone but her.

She got pretty distant after that. Didn't realize she was talking about the two of us dating until later.

broganisms , Andriyko Podilnyk Report

Add photo comments
POST
johanna_zamora avatar
Grumble O'Pug
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, the “thick as a plank, disembark to your left” sign went on in her head

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame A few years ago I was working at my elementary school's annual spring fling. That day I volunteered to be the school mascot(a big-ass bear costume) for the morning shift. It was a boring job of feeling like a pedophile the whole time because little kids would hug you constantly and be all over you. They were at just the perfect height for every kid's face to be just in your crotch. It was nearing noon and my shift was soon to be over when a girl my age, 17, stole the bear head right from my own head and ran away with it. I wasn't gonna pay for a damn bear head if she didn't return it, so I ran after her and followed her into an empty classroom with the lights off and the shudders shut tightly. She said something like "oh looky here, mr papa bear, I'm holding your head, I'm a bad girl" I was pissed she took it and wasn't thinking so I, being oblivious to her remark, took the head yelled "THE CHILDREN NEED ME" and stormed out.

P4TTYCAKES , Josh Grenier Report

#22

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame She invited me in "for coffee" after a date. I don't drink coffee, and it was 11pm. I politely declined and went home. Had no clue coffee meant sex.

Washjockey , Averyanovphoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
dariazotova avatar
Daria Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it was the opposite for me once. I was 100% sure it was an invitation for sex but when I came he had cake and tea ready on the table, and his parents were at home lol

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame One time I was texting my bf and told him that I bought a vibrator for the nights he was away at work or something rather. his exact response was, "oh cool, what colour?" I sent him a pic of it and he replied with "can you put it up your butt too?". I sent him a text replying, "come over and find out" and he replied two minutes later, "nevermind, I just Googled it"

wheat-empress , Mathilde Langevin Report

Add photo comments
POST
queeronabike avatar
Andy Acceber
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Um, darling, I'm afraid that's a "he's just not that into you" moment. (At least at that exact moment.) There's no chance he didn't understand that.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Girl smiled at me while I was at work at my store, I smiled back. Considered asking her out cause she was really f*ckin pretty.

On break, I bought some pizza rolls and hoped she would be in my line. Low and behold, she is in the 14 or less line. We exchange some more smiles, and my heart was goin nuts cause I was gonna actually ask, but the back of my head kept thinking "she's too good, she's just smiling out of respect". So I didn't. She gets to the register and asks to use her rewards account. The cashier asks her name and she gives it. Nothing comes up, so he asks her for her number. She gives it very slowly and on the last four digits, turns around and looks me dead in the eyes. The guy says there's no account and she doesn't even acknowledge it, just pays and leaves. I get into the break room, and it hits me that she may have been trying to hint something.

[Screw] me.

[deleted] Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#25

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame In 8th grade there was this blonde girl about as tall as I was. Everyday she asked for a hug from Me and I thought it was like how girls hug eachother in a friend way and that she didnt exactly see me as masculine. Her friend told me on the last day that the girl really liked me the whole time and I just let out a loud "Ohhhhhhhhhhh" in the quiet classroom. I feel a little dumb now but now their conversation in the background made way more sense

Planktillimdank , Niki Sanders Report

Add photo comments
POST
neilbidle avatar
Devil's Advocate
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But if you assumed she liked you when she was just being friendly, you'd have been a creep. Guys need clear signals, especially nowadays!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame Her: " do you have a girlfriend" me: "no" (just typing this hurts me she was super cute) her: "lol really that's so suprising, I don't have a boyfriend" me: "lol"

MyHeadHurtsRn , Jonas Leupe Report

#27

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame This was probably in 8th grade. A girl got off at my bus stop and asked if she could see my house. So I showed her around the house, and we ended up in my room. She asked if I knew any good games.

So I loaded Age of Empires 2 on my computer and showed her how to play. She left shortly thereafter.

Apparently that wasn't the kind of game she wanted to play

BagelDesk , Kelly Sikkema Report

#28

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame Like 2 years ago I was staying at my aunts house because my parents were away. My cousin had some friends over. They were in the pool and I was watching TV inside. One of the girls came upstairs and said “I’m going to get changed, can you come with me?” I politely said no and she walked away. Five minutes later I think about what just happened and thought “wait.... Sh*t”

CJM_310 , Brett Chalupa Report

#29

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame I’ve had multiple women ask me why I didn’t make a move (once it’s too late of course) and I still don’t know what hints I’ve missed

mister-fancypants- , LexScope Report

Add photo comments
POST
s_p_barnett avatar
Steve Barnett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same here: Being aspergic means people need to be explicit, if you imply anything to me, I will not get it, ever.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

30 Times Guys Failed To Notice The Most Obvious Signals From Girls And Had Only Themselves To Blame On her birthday she asked for me to have lunch with her at a restaurant, i said yes, when i got to the restaurant it was only me and her, and 16 years old me tought

" so this is a lunch with only us two in a restaurant at her birthday... yeah nothing weird going on"

then a few months later she says she likes me and i'm like "what the hell, where did that came from???"

Also after the whole thing happened i reviwed the hole year in my head one day and just went "sh*t i am dumb as a brick" like everyday this girl flirted with me and i just tought it was a normal thing, i am so dumb.

EDIT: Also after that lunch she insisted in going to my house, after a lot of trying she got me to say

"Yeah ok we can go"

When we arrived she asked to see my bedroom, and so i showed her, she then saw my guitar and asked to play a song for her to what i replied

"what no stop being weird"

Brafma96 , Nate Johnston Report

Add photo comments
POST
sareaesque668 avatar
Steph Harrison
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After all of the stories you see of women having to police how friendly they are to people because it gets misunderstood as flirting, these kinds of stories are really refreshing.

View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 37 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.