What is he friendzoned me but still flirts?

It's a confusing situation when someone who has "friendzoned" you still flirts. Here's a breakdown of possible reasons and how to approach it:

Possible Reasons:

Enjoying the Attention: They may enjoy the attention and validation they receive from your flirtations without intending to reciprocate romantic feelings. This can be a form of emotional validation for them.
Uncertainty About Feelings: They might be genuinely unsure about their feelings for you. The flirting could be a way of testing the waters or exploring a potential connection without committing.
Fear of Commitment/Relationship: They might like you to some extent but are afraid of the commitment or responsibilities that come with a relationship. Flirting allows them to enjoy the connection without the pressure.
Boredom or Playfulness: The flirting might be purely playful and without any deeper meaning. They could be bored and using flirting as a way to pass the time or liven things up.
Trying to Keep You Around: They value your friendship and don't want to lose you entirely. Flirting might be a subconscious way of keeping you interested and invested in the friendship, even if they don't see you romantically.
Changing Feelings: It is possible their feelings are changing over time and they are slowly developing an attraction, but are unsure how to communicate this.

How to Approach It:

Self-Reflection: The most important thing is to understand how this situation is affecting you. Are you okay with the dynamic as it is? Are you holding onto hope for something more that may never happen?
Communication is Key: The best way to understand their intentions is to have an open and honest conversation. Be direct and clear about your feelings and ask them to be honest about theirs. For example, "I value our friendship, but I've noticed some flirting, and I'm wondering where you see things going between us."
Set Boundaries: If their flirting is making you uncomfortable or preventing you from moving on, it's okay to set boundaries. You can tell them that you're not comfortable with the flirting and would prefer if they stopped.
Consider Walking Away: If their behavior is consistently confusing and hurtful, and they are unwilling to be honest or respect your boundaries, it might be necessary to distance yourself from the friendship, at least temporarily, for your own well-being. This is especially true if you are hoping for a relationship that seems unlikely to happen.

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