How Does a Shy Woman Show You That She Likes You?

Knowing how shy women flirt and show attraction can mean the difference between keeping your distance and starting a conversation. A woman who is shy might not seem overly interested even if you strike her fancy. If you want to decode her signals, watch to see if she acts differently around you. A shy woman who likes you will usually change her behavior in some way if she finds you attractive.

If a shy woman looks at you a lot, or stares but then looks away, that's usually a sign that she likes you. Shy women may also engage in other nonverbal behaviors that signal attraction, states anthropologist David Givens. For example, moving her head forward and down, and then looking at you from under her eyebrows, is known as the "forehead bow" and is a subconscious sign of attraction. Raised shoulders, also known as the "cute response," are a sign that she may be into you, as are mirroring movements -- such as putting her hand on her chin in the same way as you. When you see more than one of these actions at the same time, they are a strong sign of attraction.

Look to see if the shy woman acts differently around you than she does with other people, says the Social Issues Research Centre. If she becomes overly quiet in your presence or keeps her distance -- those could be signs that you make her nervous because she likes you. A shy woman might also smile more at you or laugh at all of your jokes if she finds you attractive. Pay attention to how her behavior changes, rather than what she does when she is with you.

A woman who is shy might not have the courage to approach you in person -- she could feel more confident making a connection through social media, as discussed in the article, "10 Ways Shy People Flirt." If you and Elizabeth were introduced at the party of a mutual friend, and then you find a Facebook friend request in your inbox, that's a good indicator she's interested and wants to get to know you better. Just don't be surprised if she never "likes" or comments on your posts -- even on social media a shy woman might feel nervous letting her attraction show.

Sometimes a shy woman will gather the courage to come right out and tell you that she likes you. Often this is after a long period of attraction that she no longer feels capable of controlling. For example, you and Elizabeth might remain casual friends for over a year, and then one night at a party she pulls you aside and says, "I just have to tell you that I've had a huge crush on you for a long time!" Hopefully the feelings are mutual and you can share how you feel as well.