What does it mean if a boy stares and smiles at you but never talks to you?

it could me he thinks you're pretty and nothing else, it could mean that he's interested in talking to you but is too shy. try making small talk. Speaking from experience, as I often used to commit this confusing act, it is most likely due to the boy's inexperience with girls. He probably wants to talk to you, but may not know what to say, how to approach you, or how to start the conversation. A simple solution is, if you are interested in him, make the first approach with casual conversation to break that wall to show you are just like everyone else, and repeat this and soon you will find him starting conversation and taking an interest in you. P.S. If either of you are interested in one another, start talking soon because it often gets more odd than amusing after awhile and any initial interest you may have for him or vice versa will go away unfortunately.