He walks his dog, I walk my dog. Same neighborhood.
I always avoid him. One day I accidentally smiled at him and turned red. He kept staring at me with no reaction, when I looked away he said hi and got closer, asked a few questions about my dog. My dog started barking, I went fight-or-flight, answered briefly and escaped
saw him again yesterday, kept trying to avoid him. He comes my way but actually had to go the other way. He was being so different it actually weirded me out. He was sort of clumsy in the way he moved, and usually he seems so self controlled, and he was loud too hahah like talking out loud to his dog but only when I got there. I smiled accidentally again and he asked again about my dog and tried to be funny about her barking. It felt as if he was trying to be fun and friendly? But in a ridiculous way
Predicting some types of answers ("ask him", "how should we know"):
I'm not looking for the absolute truth, just opinions :)
Well you specifically said you're not looking for advice and what not, so I won't give any, but I do think when we're attracted to someone we tend to interpret very small behaviors as cues that confirm our own desires, a kind of confirmation bias, when they're actually just normal behaviors. That said, there's only a few ways to confirm your suspicions...
Then why are you trying to avoid him, trying to purposefully not make eye contact or look at him, leaving abruptly when he talks to you...etc. Sounds like you're doing your best to give him the impression you're not interested
Is there a dog-friendly cafe in the hood? Figure out how to get him there, in your own way or words.
"I'm chillin' at the cafe (dog park, bush trail, bistro) now/later/tomorrow....if you feel like hanging, I'm buying....."
Keep it about dogs and chilling and it's sorta accidental that you're asking bc that's what you're doing, regardless.
He could be interested. You both have dogs which is great for small talk to gauge interest. Make it a point to try to talk with him more. Dogs are a great ice breaker especially if they get along. Go for it!!!