What Real Chemistry And Sexual Tension Feels Like

“When there’s a lull in conversation, and eye contact is maintained while you both are trying to figure out what to say next.” — dj5pack

“It’s finding reasons for eye contact. It’s ‘accidentally’ making physical contact. It’s always ending up sitting next to each other in a group. It’s a tingly tight feeling in your guts. It’s a beautiful pain to experience. It’s almost more fun than actually ‘getting’ the other person.” — AllAfterIncinerators

“There is a certain exciting feeling when you touch or look at each other. When I first met my now ex-girlfriend, we shook hands, but when our hands touched, we both didn’t want to let go. We kept holding hands.” — thedesperateromantic

“Angling. Always feeling like your center of gravity is shifting towards them.” — thelibrariangirl

“I think sexual tension is pretty easy to spot — it’s body language (does the person try to sit closer to you?), laughter (are they smiling / laughing at your jokes that probably aren’t that funny?), eye gaze (is there eye contact or do they glance at your mouth?), and just sheer time spent (do they want to hang out a lot?). Those things don’t always mean they want to hook up though — only way to really know is to make a move (respectfully!) and see how they react. A person can be totally naked and still not want to hook up. At the end of the day — JUST ASK. No harm in asking. It’s pretty hot to be honest. Shows confidence.” — Anxious-Low-6836

“It can look like tense awkwardness, constant fighting, overt flirtatiousness without any progression, and even consciously ignoring/avoiding the other person.” — EimiCiel

“It’s hard to explain. For me, there’s like almost a palpable static or feeling of electricity, literally, between me and the other person. Like I almost expect a static shock if I were to touch their arm. And it’s in the way the comfortable silences and the eye contact hangs in the air between us.” — damppsquidd

“Some legit signals I’ve learned, in no particular order: Prolonged or suggestive eye contact. Body positioning that mirrors yours or if they stand closer than typical in your culture. Playing with hair when you interact. Light unconscious brushing up against or touching. If seated, leaning forward towards you frequently and/or touching you hand in a friendly way. Flushed or light blushing when they interact with you but not others. Suggestive teasing. Excessive awkwardness that isn’t the case with them around other people. Especially if they straight up start babbling like a loon. Awkward silences you could cut with a knife but they still keep seeking you out.” — AndrogynousRain

“Serious eye contact for me. like when they would rather admire you than look anywhere else, it just makes it so obvious.” — GoGoHesHere 

“It’s hard to explain. Basically, it’s a nervous, delicious breathless feeling when they are close to you. You both go out of your way to stand just a little bit closer to each other. “ — Joygernaut

“The further you get into each other’s orbit, the more you slow down. When you’re close enough to be inside their personal space, you almost stop, like there’s an irresistible magnetic force between you.” — Now_Villager