Decoding a
Guy's Language
By Sara Eckel
Ever feel like you need a translator when talking to a guy? Now
you've got one. Read on for common guy statements -- and their real
meanings.
Hidden Meaning
Technically, you and your man both speak English. And certain
phrases -- "Would you pass the salt?" "Do you know where the remote
is?" -- can pass between you without ambiguity. But let's face it,
the language of love can sometimes get confusing. We've compiled a
list of some of men's most cryptic statements, as well as questions
that will help you uncover the real deal.
What He Says: "My home phone isn't working, so call me on my
cell."
What He Could Mean: "I don't want you calling my house."
What You Should Ask: "Are you already in a relationship with
someone else?"
What He Says: "You have to be able to ride out these little
corrections."
What He Could Mean: "I lost everything in the stock market."
What You Should Ask: "Do you consider yourself a gambler by
nature?"
What He Says: "My marriage is essentially over."
What He Could Mean: "I want to have an affair."
What You Should Ask: "Does your wife know this?" "Have you taken
formal steps toward divorce?"
What He Says: "Women are too picky."
What He Could Mean: "Women don't like me."
What You Should Ask: "Why didn't your last relationships work
out?"
What He Says: "I'll have to check my schedule for next
Saturday."
What He Could Mean: "I'm waiting to see if a better offer comes
along."
What You Should Ask: "Would you rather wait and get together when
you're not so busy?"
What He Says: "I'm afraid of commitment."
What He Could Mean: "I'd like to continue sleeping with you, but
not if it means I have to stop seeing other women."
What You Should Ask: "Do you want to try and overcome this
fear?"
What He Says: "So it's me. I'm calling you."
What He Could Mean: "I don't particularly want to talk, but I want
to get credit for calling."
What You Should Ask: "Would you rather talk another time?" or "I
get the feeling that you're calling because you think that you
should and not because you want to, is that true?"
What He Says: "So my parents are having this barbecue, and I was
wondering if you'd like to come."
What He Could Mean: "I'm madly in love with you."
What You Should Ask: "Have you told your parents about us?"
What He Says: "That guy is a big phony."
What He Could Mean: "I'm totally jealous that you were talking to
that tall, handsome man at the party."
What You Should Ask: "Were you upset that I talked to him for so
long?"
What He Says: "It's not you, it's me."
What He Could Mean: "It's you."
What You Should Ask: "Have we been moving too fast?" or "Have you
met someone else?"
What He Says: "I'd like to cook you dinner at my place."
What He Could Mean: "I'd like to dazzle you with what a caring,
nurturing renaissance man I am, so that you'll have sex with
me."
What You Should Ask: "How important is emotional involvement to you
prior to being sexual?"
What He Says: "I need some space."
What He Could Mean: "I'm about to break up with you" or "I've
realized that I'm crazy about you and it's freaking me out."
What You Should Ask: Nothing. Give him his space, and let him
figure it out.
What He Says: "My children are very important to me, and I need to
be with a woman who understands that."
What He Could Mean: "My children are my first priority."
What You Should Ask: "Can you imagine a woman being your top
priority while you're still raising your children?"
What He Says: "You're not a feminist, are you?"
What He Could Mean: "I'm threatened by the fact that you don't act
like a complete doormat."
What You Should Ask: "Do you have a problem with independent
women?"
What He Says: "You remind me of that girl from Sex and the
City."
What He Could Mean: "... and I'm really hoping you share her same
liberal attitude about casual sex."
What You Should Ask: "What do you think of that character?"
What He Says: "How long ago was your last relationship?"
What He Could Mean: "Please give me your entire relationship
resume, so I can determine if you're a worthy candidate."
What You Should Ask: "Why is that important to you?"
What He Says: "I just want to be friends."
What He Could Mean: "I don't find you attractive anymore."
What You Should Ask: "Would you kindly remove your stuff from my
apartment?"
What He Says: "You look great in that dress."
What He Could Mean: "The party started half an hour ago, can we
please leave already?"
What You Should Ask: "Are you just saying that to get me out the
door?"
Source : Ladies Home Journal