Crush-O-Meter

a crush is an informal term for feelings of love ,

romance, or infatuation , often felt by young

people during their childhood and

adolescence. It is named for its

resemblance to the adoring, worshipful

affection that may be felt by a puppy . It

may also be able to describe short-term

love interest.

The term is often used in a derogatory

fashion, describing emotions which are

shallow and transient in comparison to

other forms of love such as romantic love. 

Crush is a very widespread experience

in the process of maturing. It may be

difficult to not have cases of "puppy love"

sometime during the maturing process. The object of attachment may be a peer ,

but the term can also be used to describe

the fondness of a child for an adult, for

example, students being attracted to their

teachers, their friends' parents, or children

to older celebrities: indeed, some consider

that in puppy love 'usually the object of

such infatuation is some highly idealised

person who is some years older—a teacher,

a friend of the family, an actor, or rock

star'—and typically the sufferer 'greatly

moved with emotion...spending much time

in daydreams and wishful fantasies

about them. 

Just as our bodies grow as we get older, so

do our feelings. They change and mature as

we become preteens, teenagers, and adults. A

crush is a word used to describe special

feelings you have for another person, a

classmate, or friend that you really like. Noticing your first crush is an exciting time in

life because you're beginning to understand

how it feels to like another person — a lot!

Sometimes, feelings for a crush can be

confusing because they're new to you and you

aren't sure how to act. You could have mixed

feelings. When you see your crush, a part of

you might feel embarrassed and you might

want to run away and hide. Another part of

you might imagine your crush noticing you

and sharing the same feelings.

Crushes are a little bit like the romantic love

adults feel toward one another. And in a way,

a crush can help us think about the kind of

person that we want to love when we grow

up. They help us understand which qualities

we notice and like in another person — and

maybe a few that we don't like. You can't choose your crushes. Sometimes

they sneak up on you and — wow — who was

that? Your crush might be a classmate, a

neighbor, your best friend's crush, an older

kid, a friend of your brother or sister, a sister

or brother of a friend, or a teacher at your

school.

Your crush could even be on someone you

don't know, like a professional athlete or a

celebrity. When the crush is on someone you

don't know, you might imagine what that

person is like. Maybe you think about what it

would be like to meet that person, even

though you know you probably never will. It's

still fun to imagine!

You might find 

yourself writing the name of your crush over

and over again in a notebook or telling a

good friend about that special person you like

so much. Crushes might last a few days,

weeks, months, or longer.

If you feel strange around your crush, you're

not alone. That's how most people feel

around their crushes. You might feel shy or

giddy or maybe even shy and giddy all at

once! Some people can't remember what they

want to say when they see their crush. They

feel speechless, or tongue-tied.

Some kids might chase their crushes around

the playground, call them on the phone, or

tease them to get attention. This might make

a person feel uncomfortable. Have you ever

felt this way? It can be hard to control how

you feel, but the rules of good behavior still

apply. If your crush doesn't want to talk with

you or it seems like you're making the person

uncomfortable, it's time to back off.

Likewise, never let anyone behave in a way

that makes you feel funny or uncomfortable.

It's never OK for anyone — a kid or a grown-

up — to do or ask things of you that don't feel

right. That's not a good crush.