5 Signs The Person You Are Dating Actually Likes You

I don't know if it's a Southern California thing, or perhaps just a loneliness thing, but has anyone else noticed how much dating bullsh*t some people are enduring just to avoid being alone?

If I had a dollar for every time a friend has called me crying over some jerk she's dating, I would most certainly be rich by now.

While I have been the girl on the other end of the phone crying, I have never been one to endure any kind of abuse for long.

So I can't help but wonder, why don't more people respect themselves, their hearts and most importantly, their time when it comes to dating?

While the bad news may be that you have temporarily misplaced your self-respect, the good news is this article can help you get it back.

Falling in love is a beautiful thing, so let's make sure you're not wasting your time on the wrong one and that the person you are with has your best interest at heart at all times.

Here are five ways to know the person you are dating actually likes you:

He Or She Treats You With Respect

While this may sound like common sense, far too many people are actually dating someone who treats them poorly.

If someone is always hurting your feelings, embarrassing you, putting you down or focusing primarily on your flaws, this person has no respect for you.

A lack of respect is a huge sign that he or she genuinely does not like you. Someone who is really into you wants to make you feel good.

He or she lifts you up, not down, and all he or she wants is to see you smile. If the person you are with makes you sad more often than happy, it is time to move on.

He Or She Wants To Hang Out Anywhere, Anytime

A person who genuinely likes you wants to hang out with you, regardless of where you go. If you're spending the day doing the world's most boring errands, this person still wants to go because he or she genuinely enjoys the quality time with you.

The person who is not for you only wants to hang out when it's convenient, easy and fun. So, if you're only hearing from him or her sporadically when part-time fun is needed, you can be sure that this person is not genuinely interested in you.

They Ask You Questions

This is a huge factor that many people ignore. If the person you are "dating" is not asking you serious questions about who you are and what you enjoy, he or she is not into you.

I dated a guy once who literally did not ask me anything meaningful; he didn't even learn my last name until several months later.

While I was trying to go with the flow and have no expectations of him, I realized that was stupid. You should have at least some expectations of the person you are exploring a relationship with.

The person you are dating should want to get to know you on a deeper level, and if he or she isn't, it's because he or she does not see a future with you at this time.

They Openly Communicate

I also dated a guy who refused to address my emotional issues anytime they came up. Instead, he would tell me I am ridiculous, and simply should not be upset.

While no guy enjoys dealing with a girl's emotions, the guy who is really into you will. Not only will he talk to you about anything you need, he will encourage it and make you feel safe. If you cannot openly express yourself, this person is absolutely not the one for you.

They Make You Feel Special

It's very easy to show someone you genuinely care, so when someone does care for you, he or she will gladly put in the effort to show it. Does the person you're dating take time out of his or her day to make yours better?

Does this person surprise you with small, thoughtful things to show you that he or she is thinking about you consistently? If so, it's safe to say this person is genuinely into you.

The world is full of thousands of amazing hearts, so why settle for less by dating people who genuinely just don't appreciate you? Why invest in someone who is not investing in you, and why give your heart to someone who doesn't even care to have it?

While being lonely can be scary, being with someone who doesn't love and respect you is even scarier. If you can relate to any of the above, perhaps it's time to say goodbye to the bad one and hello to someone who treats you right. Life is too short to settle for sadness.

Take a lover who looks at you like maybe you are magic. - Frida Kahlo