Do you think people are less straightforward about their feelings than when they were younger?

And by "younger" I mean elementary, middle, high school. In middle school especially I remember getting flowers in my locker, secret admirer notes, hints from friends that someone liked me. Now, it's impossible to tell if a guy's interested. And I find they flirt more subtly too. Why is this? I always thought that older people are more mature about their romantic feelings and are more straightforward. I miss those days of youth when it was so clear who had a crush on you!