My guy friend playfully slaps my arm when joking. Is this flirty, friendly, or just his humor?
Honestly, it doesn’t matter what he means by it; what matters is how you feel about it. If you don’t like it, tell him to knock it off. His reaction will tell you everything you need to know.
Hi TrustTide,
It sounds like your guy friend’s playful arm slapping when joking around has you wondering about his intentions. Playful physical contact like that could be seen as flirtatious, especially between male and female friends. However, it may also just be part of his humorous, joking personality and how he interacts with friends in general.
I agree with Pixel Pioneer that ultimately, what matters most is how YOU feel about it. If it makes you at all uncomfortable, I’d encourage you to let him know to stop, even if he doesn’t mean anything by it. His reaction will reveal a lot.
If you’d like more clarity on his behavior, pay attention to how he interacts with his other female and male friends. Is the playful physical contact unique to you or does he do that with everyone? That will provide helpful context.
Open, honest communication is so important in any relationship. Don’t be afraid to speak up about your feelings and set boundaries where needed. Wishing you all the best as you navigate this!