How to get out of the friend-zone like a pro

Gigi is an awkward young woman desperate for love in the 2009 film "He's just Not That Into You". She fumbles through friendships and social gatherings misreading guys' actions until one Alex offers to help her interpret them. Gigi, unsurprisingly falls for him, but he sends her to the dreaded friendzone.

Here's the cool way of turning around a soft rejection that ends in a good friendship when you still harbour romantic affections.

Become desirable

Not only to catch the attention of your potential partner but also other people. Take good care of your appearance and genuinely touch up on your manners (not just to get the girl/guy), other people will desire you and your crush will want to be the first in line.

Boost your confidence

Work on your self-confidence and self-respect, these two qualities will make you more attractive and you will like yourself more for it. They will also make this next part easier.

Trigger their dopamine

Dopamine is the body chemical responsible for pleasure, do things that will make your crush associate pleasurable feelings with you, especially adventurous and outdoors-y activities. Get creative with any activity you know they enjoy.

Get physical

Initiate physical and eye contact, a casual touch on their hand or rub/pat on the shoulder is a good place to start creating a bond. Eye contact invites intimacy and coziness. Maintain variations of touch and eye contact, do not slack. Also ask them for favours, "the Benjamin Franklin effect proves that whenever you ask someone for a favour, they are more likely to like you".

Minimise availability and interest

They are likely to start missing you wondering where your attention is. Being at their beck and call all the time is likely to make you come off as needy. Allow them to establish contact first if they want to talk or share anything, listen but don't be overly invested in details.

Flirt and tell them how you feel

Never miss a chance to tease or compliment them but pick your moments. Allow certain touches or moments to linger just a bit too long. If you are unlucky and your crush is oblivious to your interest, you will have to spell it out for them, and hope for the best.

How do you know they might be falling for you?

There is noticeable change in how they act towards you, awkward, nervous or weird. They might start being generous with compliments about your style or character.

They create time for you to be together and ask more questions into the workings of your life. They either stop seeing other people or stop talking about their romantic interests and exes.

There might be an intimate moment you two had, like a kiss, and even though it doesn't translate into being an item, there is a spark that's more than friendship.

Oh, about Gigi and Alex, he eventually realises he's in love with her after spending so much time helping her get dates. He comes to her door and they kiss, then live happily ever after.