How to Watch Your Crush Without Being Noticed

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 15, 2020 References

The urge to stare at the person of your dreams is something that a lot of people have gone through. The emotion and butterflies that infatuation creates can make people do strange things. If you're shy or aren't ready to talk to your crush, you may want to watch them without being noticed. Luckily, there are things you can do to get eyes on your crush without risking embarrassment or tipping them off to your desires.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Watching Them in Plain View

1
Use your peripheral vision to look at them. Peripheral vision is what you can see from the side of your eye without looking directly at someone.^{[1]
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Research source} Use this tactic to look at your crush without tipping them off to the fact that you're looking at them.
- You can pretend to get up and do something else, like sharpen your pencil, while keeping your crush in your peripheral vision.
- This is an excellent method to use when you are sitting next to your crush.
- You may have a harder time seeing details in your crush with your peripheral vision.^{[2]
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2
Watch them from afar. The further away you are, the less likely that your crush will notice you staring. This is especially true in public places where there are a lot of other people around. Try to keep an eye on them from a distance so that they don't notice that you're watching them.
- If you are watching them in a parking lot, you can position your car facing the opposite direction and use your rearview mirror to look at them.^{[3]
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- If you are far away and can't see them, use your phone and use the zoom function. Just make sure it looks like you are texting or writing an e-mail.
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Use a decoy so that they don't notice. Bring a book or look at your cell phone so you have a decoy if your crush looks in your direction. You can even have conversations with friends while watching your crush in the background. The goal is to try to look like you are paying attention to something else while still being able to keep an eye on your crush.
- You can also draw in a pad or do schoolwork while watching your crush.
4
Watch them while they are distracted. You can glance at your crush while they are preoccupied with another activity. Some good examples are while they are taking a test, talking to someone else, or while they eat. If your crush looks in your direction, avoid eye contact and look in another direction.
- If they are involved in sports, you can watch them while they play without them noticing.
- If your crush is just sitting around and daydreaming, it's more likely they will see that you're staring at them since their attention isn't anywhere specific.
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Sit behind them in class so you can see them, but they can't see you. If you share classes with your crush, see if you can sit behind them. Try to find a good angle on your crush so that you can see the side of their face but they can't see you without looking behind them. This may give you the opportunity to watch them the entire class without being detected. If you already have regular seats, see if a classmate would be willing to switch with you.
- If your crush looks back at you, pretend that you were staring at something off in their direction but not them.
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Figure out their schedule so you'll know where they'll be. Humans are creatures of habit, and there are many things that we do the same on a daily basis.^{[4]
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Research source} If you go to the same school, figure out when their classes are so you can watch them in the hallway. If they are a coworker, memorize their work schedule.
- If they have a regular schedule to attend church or go to the grocery store, you can go at the same times.
- Do not follow them home because this could be considered stalking.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Watching Them Online

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Friend or like them on all your social media accounts. Social media is a great way to watch a crush and what they're up to and doing without them noticing. Friend them on platforms like Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. Some platforms will allow you to create an account anonymously. If you don't want to be noticed, use a username that they won't recognize.
- Instagram and Snapchat are great apps to use because you can see when they upload new pictures. Even though you aren't where they are, you can feel like you are through photos.
- Looking at the posts they like or share will also give you a better sense of their personalities, or at least how they want to be perceived by others.^{[5]
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Turn on notifications, so you know when they make an update. Many social media sites now use algorithms that will determine what ends up on your timeline, wall, or page. This means that even if you are connected to your crush, that you may not see when they make new updates. In this case, turn on their notifications, so you get updated when they make new posts.^{[6]
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- There are apps like Snowball and Alternion that help you track all your social media notifications in one place.^{[7]
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- Set up your social media notifications to have a different sound so that you can keep track of your crush's updates.
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Do not like, repost, or comment on any of their accounts. If you are using an anonymous account, you may be able to interact more with your crush on social media. However, make sure not to comment too frequently or they may become suspicious of who you are. Do not comment, post, share, or like on any social media accounts attached to your actual name like Facebook. Part of watching your crush secretly is staying unknown.
- If your crush uses Foursquare and regularly check into locations you can figure out where they like to hang out.^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making a Move

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Prepare conversation topics. If you've watched your crush and have gotten to know their personality, choose conversation topics that interest them. Think about the things they like such as their favorite show, a sport they enjoy, or a musician that they listen to. If you don't have any ideas, then ask them about themselves or talk about an event that's coming up in your town.
- You can also compliment your crush, but don't make it sexual.
- You can say something like, "Hey, the noticed that you were listening to the new Drake album. I was thinking about picking it up. What do you think of it?"
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Introduce yourself. Make eye contact with your crush and approach them with a smile. If you've never talked to them before, tell them your name and ask them for theirs. Even though you'll probably be nervous, make sure that you introduce yourself with confidence. Don't look away or mumble because it's a sign that you're insecure.
- To appear more confident make sure to speak clearly, keep a straight posture, and use your hands to gesture.^{[9]
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- Keep the conversation light and try to be humorous. Don't be overly serious or personal when you first approach your crush.^{[10]
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Ask for your crush's contact information. If you had a good conversation with your crush, it's important that you keep it going so you don't have to watch them without being noticed anymore. Ask for social media usernames or their cell phone number. See if they would want to hang out in the future or go on a date sometime.
- If the conversation went poorly, your crush may not want to give you their contact information. In this case remain respectful and back off.
4
Get to know your crush's friends. If you feel overwhelmed and can't talk to your crush directly you can try to become friends with your crush's friends first. Try to find someone in their circle of friends that share mutual interests with you, and make it a point to talk to them or hang out with them socially. Once you feel like you are good enough friends, you can ask them to introduce you to their crush.
- When a mutual friend makes the introductions, it can relieve stress on both parties.
- Long term relationships are often started by introductions made by mutual friends.^{[11]
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Community Q&A

Question

What if you are in a park?

Community Answer

Watch them from afar and avoid direct eye contact with them. You can use your peripheral vision or a decoy such as looking on your cell phone so that you don't make it obvious.

Warnings

If your crush confronts you, be honest instead of holding back your emotions or feelings.

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Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
If your crush has told you to go away or stop bothering them, stop watching your crush (secretly or openly). Unwanted behavior can be considered annoying at best, stalking at worst, so remove yourself from this situation.

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Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
While you may want to stay unknown, it might be better to talk to your crush instead of trying to stay unnoticed.

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Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
Try not to take this too far. Don't try to follow where ever they go. It might be very uncomfortable for them for evading their privacy.

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