This isn't a contest or debate, but a sharing of observations and experiences.

How do you know when the man or woman you are dating thinks you are special? What does he or she do to show it? How are you treated differently by your partner?

How does it make you feel (other than special)?


Edit:
In light of the first few responses, allow me to add another couple questions whose answers may benefit others.

How do you know that is sincere?
What tells you that he or she is not just putting on an act?

I have found that when a woman starts invading your personal space and smiling a lot and fluttering her eye lashes , it usually means something..

I can only speak for myself.
Usually, I sense I am special to someone when they display behavior that is similar to mine when I feel someone is special to me.

When someone is special to me, I say and do things that I would not normally do for others, just for their benefit. I feel joy when I see them feeling joy.
When they hurt, I hurt. In a nutshell, I have a closer feeling of empathy with that person than anyone else. A bond, so to say.

Ok so maybe I learned these things from a tom and Jerry cartoon but hey ho.

from the mouth of toons...

pedantically speaking, special, by definition, means different from what is usual. So, its not easy to pinpoint, except that it is the little things they do or say which they don't do or say for or with others.

something as little as not having wandering eyes, when someone beautiful passes because they are focused on me or giving a gift for no special occasion, or surprising me with dinner or a song ... lol. The little and goofy things, for me, make it seem as if they may consider me special.

When you know they are only dating you.

Fluttering eyelashes???
How old are these girls...12??

Hell, I never fluttered my eylashes, or did that playing with my hair thing...I have always hated artifice/ contrived stuff..

I would say when she *makes time* for you...isn't too busy/ has so much else going on she can't find time to be with or talk to you..(someone who *makes* the effort to be with you)

Maybe writes you goofy notes (I used to write goofy notes to my late husband when we went out to eat sometimes, on napkins when he got up to go to the bathroom..he'd find it on his chair when he gpot back...

Asks about your day.....

As far as knowing if it is sincere, or putting on an act....I can't help you there..
I have good spidey-sense, and can *usually* tell when someone is being fake...

Consistency

When he/she tells you so!

So far, I find the responses interesting. None of them are really in agreement. Which really shows how perspectives can differ.

My experience has always been closest to what Tom describes. However, it certainly is not foolproof!

I've always known I was special. Ever since I was a little boy all my family members kept saying "Oh, don't mind him, he's special".
Then I got to ride a special bus to school only for other special children like me. It was yellow and the driver was so nice to us, nicer than the drivers of the other busses that the non-special kids would ride on

I always assume it.
Until proven otherwise ;-).

That looks like I'm chewing on my thumb, lol !

.

And here I clicked Quote instead of Edit

The keyboard sees all ;-)

When the Church Lady says so...

Even the computer knows he's special!

My computer greets me at startup with voice. "Hello, what can I do for you today?"
Wouldn't be too hard to tweak it so it says:
"Hello, special individual, what can I learn from you today?"

If your name is Ed, then you might not want to be special.