Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Start basking
• Method 2 of 2: Encourage your partner to show feelings more often
• Tips

Some guys like to be affectionate, but it is not easy to persuade a shy or reserved partner to do so. If your relationship is just getting started, it may take time to take it to a more intimate level. Whichever stage you are in, remember to communicate with each other in an honest and respectful manner.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Start basking

1. 1 Choose the right moment. A quiet moment when you sit next to each other is a great time to indulge. Try a candlelit movie night and bring a blanket to snuggle underneath if the room is cool. You can also catch a moment after a particularly successful date that created an additional sense of intimacy and contentment.
2. 2 Place your head on the guy's shoulder. Move closer and snuggle up to him. Hopefully, he will take the hint and respond accordingly.
3. 3 Put your hand on it. Place your hand on his knee or grab his shoulders and hug him tightly.
4. 4 Look him in the eye. If your partner has not yet approached you, turn around, look into their eyes and smile. If you wish, you can bow down for a kiss.
5. 5 Ask him to be gentle. Some guys are shy and nervous because they don't know how to interpret the signals correctly. Tell your partner that you want them to show feelings and let them respond at their own pace. If it still doesn't respond, use the methods in the next section.

Method 2 of 2: Encourage your partner to show feelings more often

1. 1 Talk to a guy. You cannot build healthy relationships without honest and open communication. Perhaps non-sexual physical intimacy is not as important to your boyfriend as it is to you. Make it clear what you are waiting for and why, as it is likely that your partner does not understand how important this is to you.
   • Express your feelings with first-person statements. This is more effective than blaming your partner or complaining about their behavior.
2. 2 Listen carefully to his answer. Give him your undivided attention and encourage him to give feedback on your words. The more you listen to him without judgment or anger, the more comfortable he will open up.
   • Also pay attention to his posture and tone of voice. If a guy seems stiff or taciturn, then something is bothering him. It may take a few patient attempts before he wants to discuss it.
3. 3 Understand masculine logic. A lot of guys are used to seeing emotion as weakness. Perhaps your partner feels vulnerable or insecure when he is affectionate, or thinks that it doesn't fit the image of a brutal macho. If so, be patient and allow him to gradually adapt. Give him time to open up and show a softer side. Even men who do not seem macho at first glance are often less affectionate than women.
   • Many men are more willing to show affection in private. Ask your partner what expressions of feelings he is embarrassed to show in public, at least for now.
4. 4 Understand that people have different needs. Maybe your boyfriend likes to be affectionate, but he just doesn't do it as often as you'd like. In this case, it is important to realize that he has less need for close connection than you do. For some people, it is enough to share physical intimacy several times a week, while others put small moments together over many hours of hugs. Respect your partner's desire to be alone or to behave with restraint, but also ask them to respect your desire to take more time for affection.
5. 5 Consider this in the context of intimacy. Respect that your partner has a different level of comfort in relation to these activities. Here are a few questions to discuss depending on where you are in the relationship:
   • If there is no sexual intimacy between you, the guy may not be ready for the same level of intimacy as you. You will probably have to slow down and let him develop the relationship at his own pace.
   • If you are sexually intimate, this may already be considered an act of affection for a guy. Explain that non-sexual and sexual intimacy meet different needs.
6. 6 Stimulate intimacy patiently. Find out what the guy is comfortable doing at this stage. Try grabbing his hand and stroking it gently with your thumb, hugging or secretly kissing him as you walk down the street. If he pulls away or doesn't like it, try to find a more subtle way. However, if he really likes it, slowly and gradually try to be more obvious and often show feelings.Do not forget that as soon as he feels uncomfortable, interrupt the action and return to the level at which he was comfortable. Over time, he is likely to take the hint and begin to reciprocate more. Move forward gradually, and in the end you will get your way.
   • It is a big mistake to rush in this matter. If you force your partner to do something that makes him uncomfortable, he may be offended and become less accommodating.
7. 7 Solve the problem of prolonged lack of intimacy. Yes, patience and compromise are the keys to a healthy relationship, but it works both ways. If your partner is not listening to you or taking the conversation seriously, then they are not contributing to the relationship on their part. Let him know that you expect him to respect your feelings and honestly try to find a compromise. If you lack affection and don't see the guy trying to improve the situation, it's probably time to break up.

Tips

• Don't be afraid to ask for tenderness or initiate a hug. Some guys like it when a girl takes the initiative.