Category: Real deal or faux beau

  • He’s broken up with you — he just didn’t tell you

    My guy pals have told me that men are emotional cowards. They’d rather walk barefoot over broken glass than do something that would make a woman cry. Thus their preference for going poof rather than tell you they have changed their mind. A year ago I was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal for a […]

  • Has Greg Behrendt done women a disservice?

    You may know that Greg Behrendt is the more visible co-author, with Liz Tuccillo, of the wildly popular advice book for women, He’s Just Not That Into You. In it they tell us, among other things, that if a man you’re dating doesn’t call you at least once a day, he’s just — you guessed […]

  • He doesn’t introduce you to his adult kids

    DG reader Carol asks: I’m a single woman with three grown children, ages 26, 24, and 19, all on their own. I’ve been dating a man for eight months who has two adult sons, ages 37 and 35. He is fearful of introducing them to me, although he’s met my children (and liked them), friends, […]

  • When his hand is on your knee too soon

    DG reader Toni asks: I just had a second date with a man who, during the show, put his hand on my leg. I removed it. To me that is way more intimate than holding hands or a hug is — the kind of intimate “owning” thing that a serious other does — not someone […]

  • Does he fit in your world?

    For a relationship to work long term, I believe it’s important that you are able to fit into each other’s world. Not that you have to live parallel lives with the same profession, income, hobbies, etc. But is important that you can easily slip into each other’s activities, gracefully converse with the other’s counterparts and […]

  • Becoming besotted

    Are you easily beguiled? Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? Are you prone to become prematurely smitten? Or are you more cautious, perhaps bordering on detached, especially early on in dating someone? You keep your heart sheltered for as long as possible? Then you either succumb to being moonstruck or lose interest as […]

  • Working through the hiccups

    In every relationship, no matter how great, there are some hiccups: occasional miscommunication, unmet expectations, hurt and/or disappointment. The test for any couple is how these hiccups are dealt with. Even a budding relationship has missteps as you get to know each other’s patterns, preferences and perspectives. It’s like dancing with a new partner — […]

  • Pros and cons of expectations

    I once read a quote, “The source of all disappointment is unmet expectations.” Perhaps unmet hope fits in there too, since all hope isn’t an expectation. In the beginning — and sometimes past beginning — of a relationship there are unspoken expectations on both sides. You expect he’ll treat you with respect, honor your spoken […]

  • Is your guy’s loving muscle strong?

    I’m talking about his willingness and ability to regularly show caring, affection and love, whether to you or others. I’ve noticed that men I’m dating who are used to showing their love to their parents, children, friends, church members, etc., are more able to express their love to me. They are unembarrassed about conveying their […]

  • Are you buff buddies?

    You love working out. You are proud of your taut, fit body. You feel poorly if you don’t exercise for a day. You have made this a priority in your life. How do you feel if you have a coffee date with someone who may not share your zest for exercise? Do you dismiss him […]

  • Does “settling down” mean “settling”?

    “You’ve dated a lot of men now. You’ve been seeing a terrific guy. Why don’t you just decide to focus on him and settle down?” My friend was concerned with my playing the field and thought I would be better off just choosing one man on whom to focus. “But if I know he’s not […]