37 Ways to Respond When a Guy Winks at You

Imagine you’re at work, school, or simply strolling around town and you catch the eye of that charming guy you know.

He smiles and, unexpectedly, gives you a subtle wink.

Suddenly, your heart skips a beat, your cheeks flush, and your mind races as you try to figure out the meaning of all this.

Is he being friendly or flirting?

Does he have a secret message for you or is he just trying to get your attention?

Then comes another challenge: deciding how to react to the wink.

Should you ignore it, wink back, or just smile?

To give you some ideas on how to react we will share a big list of examples so that you are not caught off guard the next time a cute guy winks at you.

Don’t miss: 100+ Flirty Texts to Send Before the First Date

How to Respond When a Guy Winks at You?

1. Smile back and continue with your day

If the wink seems friendly and harmless, a simple smile will show that you appreciate his gesture without necessarily inviting further interaction.

2. Give him a playful wink in return

If you feel like flirting, winking back can be a fun way to reciprocate his attention. This will show your interest, potentially opening the door for further conversation.

3. Nod and maintain eye contact

By nodding and maintaining eye contact, you’re showing that you’ve noticed his wink and are responding with a subtle yet confident gesture. This approach is ideal if you want to convey that you’re intrigued by his gesture without necessarily encouraging further advances.

4. Give a friendly wave

A wave can be a gentle, non-verbal way of acknowledging his wink without necessarily inviting more interaction. This is perfect for situations where you’d like to keep things light and friendly, but not too flirty.

5. Furrow your brow in confusion

If you’re unsure about the intent behind his wink or simply want to convey that you don’t appreciate the gesture, furrowing your brow can indicate confusion or mild disapproval. This response sends a message that you’re not quite on board with his wink, potentially discouraging further advances.

6. Playfully raise an eyebrow

Raising an eyebrow can be a cheeky and casual way to acknowledge his wink without committing to any particular response. This approach shows that you’ve noticed his gesture but are leaving it up to him to do the next step.

7. Laugh it off

If the situation feels funny, laughing can be an appropriate response that shows you’re not taking the wink too seriously. This reaction is great for diffusing any awkwardness.

8. Playfully roll your eyes

If you want to show that you find his wink amusing yet slightly cliché, rolling your eyes can be a playful way to achieve this.

9. Pretend not to notice

In some situations, it may be best to simply pretend you didn’t see his wink. This response can be useful if you’re uninterested in engaging with him or if you feel that acknowledging the wink might lead to an uncomfortable situation.

10. Give a friendly thumbs up

A thumbs up can be a casual way to respond, showing that you appreciate his gesture but aren’t necessarily looking for anything more serious.

Don’t miss: 50 Ways to Answer When a Guy Asks What You Like to Do for Fun

11. Tilt your head and smile

By gently tilting your head and smiling, you convey curiosity and openness without necessarily inviting further advances.

12. Blow a kiss

If you’re feeling confident, blowing him a kiss can be a flirty way to respond to his wink.

13. Casually raise your coffee or drink

This gesture is perfect if you’re at a café or bar because it shows appreciation for his wink without committing to further interaction.

14. Playfully shake your head

By gently shaking your head, you subtly indicate that you find his wink amusing but aren’t necessarily taking it too seriously.

15. Cross your arms and smirk

This response conveys confidence and self-assuredness while also indicating that you’re not completely sold on his wink.

16. Look around as if searching for someone else

Pretending to search for someone else can be a humorous way to deflect his wink, suggesting that it might have been intended for someone else.

17. Make a heart shape with your hands

Forming a heart shape with your hands can be a flirty way to respond to his wink, showing that you find the gesture sweet and cute.

18. Hold up a hand as if to say “Stop”

This response sends a clear message that you’re not interested in pursuing further interaction.

19. Give him an exaggerated slow-motion wink in return

By responding with a clearly over-the-top wink, you show that you find his gesture funny and are willing to engage in some light flirting with him.

20. Smile and then look away

This response shows that you noticed his wink but are feeling a bit shy, inviting him to make a more direct approach if he’s interested.

Don’t miss: 100+ Funny Ways to Tell Someone You Like Them

21. Tilt your sunglasses down and raise an eyebrow

This response adds a touch of mystery and intrigue, suggesting that you might be interested in getting to know him better.

22. Pretend to fan yourself

Making it look that his wink has left you feeling all flustered and hot can be a fun, flirty way to acknowledge his gesture.

23. Air high-five

An air high-five is a funny way to acknowledge his wink, showing that you find it amusing and aren’t taking it too seriously.

24. Pretend to be admiring your nails

This response is playfully dismissive, conveying that you’ve noticed his wink but aren’t necessarily going to engage further with him.

25. Hold up a pretend mirror and check your appearance

By miming a mirror and checking your appearance, you can humorously imply that his wink made you wonder if you had something on your face.

26. Place a hand on your heart

Placing your hand on your heart can be a sweet way to show that you find his wink very touching.

27. Gesture for him to come over

If you’re feeling bold and want to chat with him, signaling for him to join you can be a direct way to respond to his wink.

28. Draw a heart in the air

Drawing a heart in the air can be a cute and flirty way to show that you find his wink sweet.

29. Give him a friendly fist bump gesture

A fist bump gesture is a cool and casual way to acknowledge his wink, showing that you’re down-to-earth and approachable.

30. Make a playful “call me” gesture

This flirty response invites him to take things further and reach out to you, showing that you’re potentially interested in getting to know him better.

Don’t miss: 70 Funny and Flirty Responses to “How Was Your Day?”

31. Flash a quick, playful frown

A frown can be a lighthearted way to acknowledge his wink while teasingly conveying that you’re not too sure about it.

32. Give him a thumbs down

This playful gesture may indicate that you’re not impressed by his wink.

33. Gesture for him to walk away

This response clearly shows that you’re not interested.

34. Pretend to shield your eyes

By playfully shielding your eyes, you can convey that his wink was too dazzling or overwhelming.

35. Stick your tongue out

Sticking your tongue out is a cheeky and funny way to respond to his wink.

36. Shake your head with a smile as if to say, “not today”

With this response, you’re showing that while you may appreciate his wink, you’re not interested in pursuing anything further at the moment.

37. Make an “I’m watching you” gesture

By gesturing toward your eyes, you’re playfully letting him know that you’re keeping an eye on him.

Read next: 107 Examples of What to Say When a Guy Calls You Hot