Although sugar daters generally tend to be better than most when it comes to not playing games with prospective partners, it’s important to remember that everyone’s different. Some sugar daddies will be much more straightforward and sure of themselves than others, while some will send lots of mixed signals.
That said, you might still occasionally find yourself scrambling to decipher mixed signals when you thought you’d left all that behind for good. Here’s a closer look at some of the more common examples you might encounter, why they happen, and what you can do about them.
Why Do People Send Mixed Signals?
It’s generally not too hard to determine whether a particular sugar daddy is sending mixed signals. If your instincts are telling you he’s blowing hot and cold, you’re almost certainly correct and should trust your judgment. But why do people do this, and what does it mean when they do?
They’re uncertain
Most sugar daddies are pretty self-aware and have a good handle on what they’re looking for out of their sugar relationships. But every once in a while, you might meet a daddy who’s still figuring things out.
He might be new to sugar dating, in general, and still learning the ropes as far as how it all works. Or he might just be one of the many people who want conflicting things out of life – for example, a committed relationship and his freedom as a swinging single.
They’ve got baggage
Sugar daters, as a collective, tend to be fairly grounded. In most cases, you need to be to have achieved much success in life. But this isn’t to say that a sugar daddy might not still be struggling with unresolved baggage from his past.
For example, emotionally unavailable parents or caretakers can turn a child into a commitment-phobic adult with an avoidant attachment style. And, of course, bad past relationship experiences can leave a sugar daddy a little gun-shy.
How to Deal with Mixed Signals
Naturally, genuine inconsistency is the type of thing that can destroy even the best connections. But sometimes, flirting can involve more benign versions of mixed signals, so it’s essential to know how to tell the difference.
Keep your feelings out of it
Sometimes even the most confident sugar baby can mistake innocent flirting for harmful mixed signals (or vice versa), but keeping your feelings from prematurely pushing you to conclusions helps a lot. Strong emotions in either direction can cloud judgment and leave you with the wrong impression, so make sure you’re not misreading the situation. Don’t make these common dating mistakes.
Play along with flirting
If you’ve got the impression that a particular sugar daddy is super attracted to you but trying to keep it on the down low for whatever reason, don’t overthink things. Instead, try playing along. Identify good times to get a bit flirty yourself and enjoy the ride.
Match his energy
If you’re still in the phase of a newer connection where mixed signals are flying around, hold back as far as overinvesting yourself too soon. Instead, match your potential daddy’s energy. If he’s being flirty, go ahead and be flirty, too. And if he pulls back, let him, and focus your energy elsewhere in the meantime.
Consider potential reasons
Although every sugar baby is well within her rights to cut off any sugar connection that seems problematic or overcomplicated, sometimes you just really like someone. In those cases, know that most people don’t send mixed signals without reason. So, consider what your daddy’s motives might be before you cut him loose entirely.
Avoid blowing up over it
As frustrating as mixed signals can be, especially if they’re the kind that sometimes can’t help but mess with your confidence, it’s essential to keep things in perspective. Don’t lash out at your sugar daddy or attempt to force an answer out of him as far as how he feels about you unless you’re truly ready to hear it.
Keep your heart out of it
If you’re looking for a way to decipher a specific sugar daddy’s mixed signals, then it’s probably safe to say that you like the guy – maybe a lot. But while it’s OK to enjoy the dance of flirting with someone and wondering what’s next, don’t fall for someone who’s still sending mixed signals. Instead, wait until you understand their actual intentions.
Ultimately, there are many different reasons a sugar daddy might send a potential sugar baby mixed signals, and not all of them are negative or harmful. That said, playing along for a while is fine if you’re enjoying yourself. But if you’re not having fun or – worse – feel hurt by what’s happening, it might be time to rethink things.
You’re under no obligation to give any specific person, relationship, or situation a chance. So think things over, and don’t be afraid to do what you know is best for you.
