11 Reasons Guys Act Different in Person Than Text (And What to Do)

There are numerous reasons that guys may act differently in person than in text. Read on below and find out the top 11 reasons and what you can do about it.

Why Do Guys Act Different in Person Than Text?

1. He’s Revealing His True Self

The first few times you meet a guy in person, he could seem a whole lot different than he does in person. That’s because he’s revealing his true self to you. After you’ve had a few dates/spent some quality time together, he should be more similar in text and in person. If he continues being different in person than in text, something doesn’t add up.

2. He’s Not Warmed Up to You Yet

Talking through text gives guys a bit of breathing room, and the chance to talk bolder than perhaps they would to your face. Especially when a relationship is in its beginning stages, and he hasn’t quite warmed up to you completely(and vice-versa), it’s no shocker that he may act a bit different in person than in text. The good thing is that as soon as you get to know each other better, his comfort level will increase and he won’t seem so different.

3. He Has Something to Hide

When guys have something to hide, it’s easy to do so in text messages. In-person, however, is a much different story. Depending on what the nature of the secret is, his behavior may range from slightly different to seeming like he is a whole different person. Be prepared for some strange behavior, because depending on how long the secret lasts his behavior isn’t likely to change until things are resolved.

4. He’s Intimidated of You in Person

Sometimes the reason a guy acts differently in person than in text is that when he sees you up close and personal, and gets to know you a bit, you’re actually intimidating to him for some reason. It could be because of the car you drive, the school you attended, or even the place you work or the family you belong to. But, whatever it is, it’s more than enough to leave him feeling intimidating and therefore acting differently than in text(before he was intimidated by you).

5. He Has Little Experience Dating

Speaking of feeling intimidated, guys with little experience dating often talk a big game but act totally different than how they talk when they are actually facing to face with you. The reasons behind their behavior are self-explanatory; they have no idea what to do, are intimidated, excited, and are turned on all at the same time.

6. You Aren’t What He Expected

If you aren’t what a guy expected from text messages and talking online or over the phone, he make act differently than you expected as well. Maybe he just wanted a hookup with a certain type, and you don’t fit the bill. Or, there could be something about you that you failed to mention that strikes him the wrong way(like being in a relationship or knowing his ex). Whatever the case is, he’s liable to act differently and possibly even cut things short as well.

7. He Just Wanted to Get in Your Pants

Guys that just want to get into your pants may start to act differently than they did in texts the minute they are with you. Whether they drop the nice guy act and go straight for the money, or they realize you aren’t going to sleep with them and they get upset, you wouldn’t be the first one a guy acted differently with than in-text just because he wanted in your pants or the last.

8. He’s Scared of Your Judgment

Guys may seem all macho, with bulletproof feelings(or no feelings at all in some cases), but that really isn’t the fact at all. Guys have feelings, and believe it or not, they can be just as deep, or deeper, than females. Case and point; when he’s scared of your judgment about something/some aspect of him, he’s liable to act differently the moment said thing is brought up in conversation or even thought of by him(while in your presence).

9. He’s Too Nervous

In text messages, he may come off as a silver-tongued devil, but in person be as clumsy and unsure with his words and actions as any run-of-the-mill schoolboy on his first date with a girl. So, if your guy isn’t known for being a casanova type, don’t be alarmed if he acts a bit different than text at first. Once he gets warmed up to you, and you to him, he won’t be so nervous and the real him will shine through.

10. He Doesn’t Know What to Do

When a guy doesn’t know what to do, especially when he’s in front of someone he likes, he tends to react like a deer in headlights on the inside. However different his outward appearances and actions may seem, you can trust that inside he is feeling more nervous and uncomfortable than everyone in the room put together. In this case, he’s acting differently because he just doesn’t know how to act or what to do. He’s probably not even aware of what he’s saying or doing.

11. He’s Out of His Comfort Zone

Last but not least, guys quite often feel out of their comfort zone because of how far they will go to impress or prove themselves to the one they’re romantically interested in. In these cases, it may be because of the venue, the other people with you, or even purely the level of attraction he feels towards you. Whatever the case, once he’s less nervous, and more comfortable with the situation, he’ll seem more like himself.

What to Do When a Guy is Acting Different in Text Than in Person

Now that you know some of the main reasons that guys act differently in person than in text, here are some pointers for how you can deal with it:

• Tell him how you feel

• Try to make him comfortable

• Avoid touchy subjects

• Try to find common ground

• Give him space

• Take things slowly

• Don’t take things personally

• Try not to be intimidating

FAQ

How do you know if a guy is not interested in you through text?

There are various ways to tell if a guy is interested in you via text, but none of them are foolproof. A few of the most common signs are that they talk about sex a lot, they add lol or “haha” to the end of all their messages, or that they constantly “miss” you. Other signs are that they ask you to come over, makeup excuses, and even ghost you to get you to come over.

Why does he seem interested but doesn’t text?

Guys can be extremely interested but not text much, if at all. There are numerous reasons including that they might not be good with words, they are scared of rejection, and you may not like them as much as they like you. Believe it or not, it could also be that they don’t have a very good phone at the moment.

Why do guys reduce texting?

When guys stop texting as much, there’s usually a reason behind it… but sometimes it’s just because they got busy. The most common reasons include that he’s gauging your interest, he wants to see if you will engage him in conversation, or if you’ll tell him you miss him.