How to Get Out of Her Friend Zone: Make Her Fall For You

What Is The Friend Zone?

Trying to turn a friendship into something more? You're not alone. Many people find themselves stuck in the dreaded "friend zone" with female friends - when you may have essential feelings for a beautiful girl, for example, but she only sees you as a platonic buddy.

It's frustrating when you want more, but she doesn't seem interested. You've tried critical hints and signs to no avail. But don't lose hope and let go of your anxiety! With the right mindset, communication and strategies, you can see how to escape the friend zone and a great way to potentially turn your friendship into a romantic relationship.

Friends watching a game

This article will walk you through practical tips to subtly shift the dynamic from friends to more than friends. You'll learn how to showcase your best, attractive self, create intimacy, and express your desires for an ideal partner in a graceful way. With some courage and the right techniques, you can finally get out of the pit also known as the friend zone, win their heart, and get the relationship you've been dreaming of.

Warning: You're Entering the Friend Zone

Before even plotting a plan on how to get out of the friend zone, you have to check if you are actually in it. Let's face it; women are quite trickier to read compared to men. There are some signals she's sending that you might misinterpret into thinking that she's not into you and friend zoned you for real or vice versa.

To help you assess your current "friend zone" status, we've listed common signs so you can check whether you're entering the friend zone: 

1. You have a pet name.

Yes, funny pet names are cute, and many couples have one for each other. But do make sure that her pet name for you doesn't have "brother," "buddy," "friend," "poo head," or anything like that. 

friendzone friends eating snacks while walking

2. You are her "shopping buddy."

Have you ever met a guy who, in the right mind, goes with a girl as she shops for pleasure? Aside from all the other guys in the friend zone, and the boyfriends and husbands who clearly had no other choice, nope, not yet. Women don't bring men to fitting rooms, nor do they let them pick what clothes to buy. Generally, men hate and fear shopping long hours. So, when you're being her "shopping buddy", she will most probably think that you are just being a good friend who loves carrying things for her. Ha!

3. She is your number one wingman.

One of the obvious signs that she sees you in a non-romantic light is when she sets you up on a date with a close friend or another girl. On the contrary, she will not let you know about that friend who's crushing on you.

4. You are her shoulder to cry on.

If you're the guy she calls after a bad break-up or after a stupid argument she had with someone she likes, then you're probably just her guy best friend. She is too comfortable with you, so now she trusts you in her most vulnerable moments, which could be a bad thing, especially when she's not yet aware of your strong feelings for her. Actually, even the fact that she cries about a relationship with some other guy in front of you is already a red flag.

5. She's drunk, and you're still friends.

All hidden romantic interests and romantic feelings come out of hiding when people get drunk. So when you two are drinking together, and there are no drunk kisses or drunk confessions of passion and love, then she probably has nothing to confess. You're her friend when she's sober and still her friend when she's drunk. Nothing more, nothing less.

6. She is taken or currently dating someone.

Face it. If you're not the best version of the one she's dating, then you are in her friend zone. This also applies when she starts talking to you about guys she wishes would date her. No girl would ever share something like this with someone she considers to date someday.

Reasons That You're Stuck In The Friend Zone

Girls don't just sort men into who's in the friend zone and who's not without a reason. There's an old saying that says, "There's a reason for everything." This is true not only to life events but also to why you're stuck in the friend zone. 

1. You are a little too available.

Don't get it wrong; being available for someone is good, but being too available is a different subject. A common mistake guys make is saying yes to all of a girl's requests and invitations. You're probably already her go-to guy, her shopping buddy, her lunch guy, and the one guy escaping the friend zone that she can bring as a pretend date to a wedding at the last minute's notice. The always-available guys are usually the ones who earn the biggest spot in the friend zone. Simply because they have been literally always there, they are taken for granted for it.

friendzone man looking lovingly to his friend

2. Your intentions are not clear.

You've been friends for months, even years, yet she still doesn't know what your intentions are. What usually happens is that men act nice towards women with no hints of sexual or romantic intentions. Men often assume that their kind gestures should speak for their intentions. But in case you weren't informed, most of the women will take any kind gesture from anyone as something platonic.

3. You don't think you're good enough for her.

Sometimes without even knowing, you are putting yourself in the friend zone just by simply thinking that you are not good enough for her. This boils down to a lack of self-worth, confidence and self-value.

4. You are just not her type.

You're an amazing guy, and yet you're in the friend zone. Unfortunately, just like men, women have a "type" of guy they particularly like. If you think you're a pretty date-able guy, then you're probably in her friend zone because you're not her type. But don't worry, most of the time, types can be easily copied, so observe her likes and dislikes, and you may be able to be her type!

5. You are scared to lose her.

When you find yourself being in the friend zone potential romantic partner for so long, it could be that you are scared of losing her in your life. You are uncertain of how she will react or pay attention to you if you tell her your true feelings, so you choose to keep quiet and hope she'll magically realize how much you love and trust her.

Becoming The Boyfriend

Okay, you're in the friend zone, true friend, so now what? We say, get up and start working your way out there! Every problem has a perfect solution; you just have to find it. Lucky for you, we have all the intimate details that you need to make her want you.

1. Make yourself a priority and stop giving her special treatments.

One of the things that most men fail to do is to prioritize themselves. We get it; you're in love, but that's no excuse to come rushing to her whenever she needs you. If you have deadlines to meet or important meetings to attend to at the same time as they "need" you, choose to prioritize yourself. You are not a hero. You have your own life and own problems to fix, so stop giving her special treatments. Being too nice is what makes guys fall into the friend zone. 

Why? Well, most girls see the always-nice-guys as someone who is like a brother to them. We're not saying that you should act like a complete douchebag towards her, but be nice while keeping her romantically interested in you. Being the guy who always carries her bags when she shops will not make you into her boyfriend. The trick is to learn how to make her crave the nice version of you.

friendzone couple smiling nose to nose

2. Be unpredictable and make yourself scarce.

Being predictable is boring. If you don't give her a reason to be thrilled about you, then don't expect her to date you anytime soon. If you end up doing the same things over and over again, she might lose interest in you and push you into her friend zone. You can do that by making her miss you. Limiting your availability and time with her will increase her interest in you. This will make her realize how much she likes hanging out with you. 

Reply to her texts two hours after you've received them, or even refrain from texting her once in a while. This will stir up her ego and will make her wonder why you're not texting her as often as before. Play with her thoughts and emotions a little, just enough to keep her wondering. You have no idea how much girls love a touch of drama in their love life.

You can also try to ask her out, but you must make sure that it's out of the ordinary. Go on adventures together or try exotic foods. Once she realizes that she can't read you, she'll go crazy about you and will always look forward to the next date.

3. Show her that you are wanted.

The goal is to change the way she sees you. If she only ever sees you as the guy who has no other social life aside from spending time pleasing her, then you have to do something about that. Date other girls, and show her that you are boyfriend material. Don't be so hung up on the fact that you are in love with your friend. If she hasn't shown you interest yet, then go and find someone who has. 

Yes, you like her, but since it seems like she's not into you, start dating other girls and make sure she knows it. Jealousy is a powerful thing only you can play with! If she sees you with another girl, she's going to want you back.

4. Be a better version of yourself.

Focus on improving yourself. Try new things, read more, hit the gym, or change your wardrobe. Do anything that can help you gain more confidence. The right amount of confidence is so hot on anyone. 

Being insecure will only sink you deeper into the friend zone. If you're currently in the friend zone and your friend talks to you about the cute guy she met at the bar, don't act jealous. Play it cool and compliment the guy she's talking about. Use reverse psychology on her and show her that you are confident in yourself and not afraid or intimidated by anyone.

5. Add a little spice to your friendship.

If you really want to win her, you need to develop a sexual attraction between the two of you. Adding a little touch and occasionally teasing her can make her change the way she looks at you. Be the nice guy, but be flirty sometimes. 

One of the reasons why men are put in the friend zone is because they fail to show their sexuality. Women, most of the time, withdraw from their men friend who are not sexually open. So, if you want to get out of the same-sex friend zone, show her that you are capable of being sexual.

You can do this by gently touching her arm when you talk to each other or coming up with a good reason to take her hand. Read her palm and try adding hints of what you want to happen. Trace the lines of her palm and say some pickup lines like "Oh, it says you think I'm hot" or something similar to that. Don't underestimate these little things. They spark sexual attraction and can help you move from being "just friends" to being a serious potential partner or boyfriend.

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6. Tell her how you feel.

Stop assuming that she already knows your feelings for her. The truth is she probably doesn't. Make your intentions clear and tell her that you see her as more than just a friend. Of course, you must drop hints that you like her first before dropping the "I love you" bomb at her. If you confess your feelings at a bad time (without the pregame), you will make her feel uncomfortable and awkward about it.  It will not be easy, but you have to get it out there. 

7. Take it slow and stop treating her as a friend.

Everything takes time. Getting out of the friend zone will not happen overnight, especially if you're dealing with a long-standing friendship. Be patient. If you try to rush the process, you will only make her feel uncomfortable. Pushing too hard or too fast will cause you to lose everything. But remember that now that she knows about your feelings, you can stop acting like you just want her to be your friend. No, you don't have to act like his boyfriend, either. Just ask her out on a real date or send her flowers without her thinking that you're just nice. Do what a suitor would do and see where it goes!

8. Know her romantic standards.

Girls have romantic standards when it comes to their ideal guy. If your girl has dated other men before, try to find their common traits and see if it's something you can be. 

Part of getting her to be your girlfriend is passing her standards. Once she sees that you have ticked off her boxes, she'll consider you as one of her options and maybe even take a chance on you after telling her how you feel.

9. Flirt with her.

Flirting, when done right, can get you to where you want to be! You can start with subtle flirting, like keeping prolonged eye contact in contact or letting your touch linger on her. Don't be afraid to compliment her in a teasing or sexy way. Be confident. Show her that you know what you're doing. Girls love it when guys take the lead, especially in these matters. Observe how she reacts every time you flirt, if she responds then, congratulations, you're only a friend or few more flirting away to winning her.

10. Win her friends.

You might be asking why the hell should you make an effort to win her friends—or even sibling, mother, and father? We say, why not? Just imagine, if you won her friends' hearts, then their friend will have tons of positive things to say about you. Use her friends as your wingman. Once her mutual friends see how you guys are so fit for each other, she will start seeing that, too.

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Unlock The Secrets Of Charisma

The good news is that charisma can be your secret weapon to turn things around! Charisma isn't just about looks or charm; it's a set of skills and qualities that can make you irresistibly attractive. In this listicle, we'll unlock the secrets of charisma to help you escape the friend zone and build more meaningful connections.

  1. Confidence is key. Confidence is the foundation of charisma. To escape the friend zone, you need to believe in yourself. Stand tall, make eye contact, and speak with conviction. Confidence is magnetic and will draw people toward you.

  2. Active listening. Charismatic individuals are excellent listeners. When your crush talks, focus on what they're saying, rather than planning your response. Show genuine interest in their thoughts and feelings. This will make them feel heard and valued, strengthening your bond.

  3. Authenticity wins hearts. Don't try to be someone you're not just to impress someone. Authenticity is charismatic. Be genuine, share your thoughts and emotions honestly, and let your true self shine through. People are naturally attracted to those who are comfortable in their own skin.

  4. Humor lightens the mood. A good sense of humor is a powerful charisma tool. Make your crush laugh, and you'll create positive associations with your presence. Just be sure your humor is light-hearted and doesn't offend or hurt anyone's feelings.

Bonus: The Science Of The Friend Zone

The "friend zone" refers to a situation where one person desires a romantic relationship while the other sees them purely as a friend. This discrepancy often stems from mismatched emotional investments and expectations. Scientifically, it can be linked to social psychology concepts like attraction, attachment styles, and misinterpreted social cues.

The friend-zoned individual may experience frustration and unreciprocated affection, leading to emotional distress. Understanding and communication are key to navigating these complex social dynamics, as are respecting boundaries and accepting others' feelings without coercion or resentment.

She Said No, What Do I Do?

Some things in life are just not meant for us. Rejection sucks and will make you feel like crap. Know that the world doesn't revolve around a single person, so don't let it take the best of you.

It's okay to be disappointed, angry, or sad as long as you don't stay there for a long time. If you've tried everything to show her that you love her, yet she chooses not to reciprocate your love interest, so that means it's time to stop pursuing.

It is not going to be easy. Deciding to let her go is an everyday commitment to doing anything that it takes to cleanse yourself of your feelings for her. Face it like a grown-up. If you're still trying to figure out how this could help you:

friendzone man looking over the city

1. Respect her decision.

A no is a no. If she doesn't want to be more than just friends with you, respect her decision. Don't push yourself to someone who doesn't like you back because if you do, you will only end up hurting yourself. There is also a great chance that you will annoy her and would end up ruining the friendship you both have.

2. Acknowledge your feelings.

It's okay not to be okay. It won't make you less of a man if you admit that you are sad and hurt. Acknowledging how you genuinely feel about rejection is the necessary first step to emotional healing.

3. Don't blame yourself.

It's not your fault. It's nobody's fault. Just because you got rejected doesn't mean that you failed. The attempt to shift the relationship failed, and not you. Learn how to accept that not everything goes according to plan. 

4. Talk to your close friends.

You don't have to face this alone. Opening up to someone can be difficult, but it will help you feel better. Talk to your close friends. They will help you get through this period. 

5. Move on.

Get yourself busy with things you love doing. Take time to focus on yourself and explore things you haven't tried before. It also helps to keep your distance from her and spend time to surround yourself with new people or find yourself a new environment to be in.

6. Be friends with her again.

After giving your other friends and yourself a break, rekindle the friendship between the two of you. Just make sure that this time, you are actively choosing to be in the friend zone. Show her that you are cool with everything that has happened and that you can be friends with her again.

It's not easy to be in the friend zone. It is frustrating, confusing, and can be very hurtful at times. Why can't she see that you are the one who's always there whenever she cries over guys who don't treat her right? And all the time, she asks you, "Why can't men be like you?" as if you need to try to summon all the courage you have to ask her why she can't just date you instead. But what you manage to give is just a faint smile.

Hey, you should know that this isn't your end game! You can still turn things around and make her your girl. Do you think you can't? If you manage to survive in the friend zone pit, you can totally escape from it. You are a great person; you just have to make her see that.

DatingScout.com Author Chris Pleines
Chris Pleines
Founder of Dating Scout and Author of the book "Online Dating for Dummies"
Chris founded Dating Scout 15 years ago, and today he is one of the leading Online Dating Experts. He is the author of the book "Online Dating for Dummies" and the author of the Internet's largest online dating study analyzing 20 Million Profile Pictures with artificial intelligence. Chris Pleines holds a master degree in media science and appeared in numerous television interviews and publications to give expert advice as well as tips about online dating.