Some girls claim that their guy friends are “just friends,” but there’s always that gray area: Is he really just a friend, or is he the ghost of your dead father, borrowing another person’s body to visit this life even though his soul has passed on to the next? That whole “is he or isn’t he” guessing game can get exhausting, so we’ve compiled a list of surefire ways to find out if your BFF is purely platonic or totally ghoulish.
Read his body language.
Does he ruffle your hair like he would his little sister’s? Does he angle his body toward you protectively in social situations? Does he hover off the ground when he thinks you’re not looking? If the latter, he’s definitely your ghostly father. Also watch out for gliding and disappearing into thin air. Classic dead Dad!
Pay attention to the way he acts around your friends.
If you two are truly “just friends,” he’ll have no problem flirting with your gal pals! See if he makes eyes at Katie from work or asks for your little sister’s number. If he’s a vessel for the spirit of your deceased father, he probably won’t have time for your friends, since he’ll be focused on conveying whatever message he has come back to communicate to you. In this case, he’ll likely act kind of distant, unlike when he was alive! Love you Dad!
Take a look at his clothes.
Yes, seriously. If a dude only sees you as a friend, he won’t bother to rock stylish duds when he hangs out with you. Watch out for dirty jeans, stained tees, and his most beat-up Chuck Taylors. Hello, friendzone! If he’s your dad, though, he’ll likely be wearing a lavender polo from K-Mart tucked into high-waisted jeans. Wireless glasses are also a good sign, as are Merrell slip-ons. Comfort first, as Dad always said before he was cruelly taken from this world all too soon. Either way, try to play it cool.
Ask him.
Sometimes being upfront is the way to go. If you’re really unsure as to your man friend’s motive, just ask him! Next time the two of you are out to lunch, say, “Hey, can I talk to you about something?” Then ask him what his feelings about you are. If he says he just sees you as a friend, trust him – you’ve got to give him the benefit of the doubt. If he accidentally calls you “child” or “daughter,” then he’s probably your father here to take care of some unfinished business.
Phew! That may seem like a lot to process, but failing to ask these questions could lead to a huge misunderstanding and/or your father being unable to return to the realm of the dead. If you discover that your supposed guy friend is your dear ol’ Papa, don’t freak. Instead, consider offering to avenge his death. You can figure out a way to slay diabetes, right?
