As collegiettes, we like to think we’re better than guys. We dress better than guys do, we’re more organized than they are, and we’re definitely cleaner than they are, so it doesn’t seem like boys could really have much to teach us (besides maybe how to best recover from a hangover without showering). But if we take a look at how they approach relationships in particular, it appears that they might, in fact, know a thing or two that we don’t. We’re not saying they’re geniuses when it comes to love and relationships, but we have to admit that they do have a few good tricks up their sleeves. We’ve been taking notes, so here are the best lessons that the guys have taught us and how you can incorporate them into your own relationships.
1. Stop overthinking things.
Guys are constantly accused of being ignorant and insensitive when it comes to relationships, but often, they’re just taking things at face value. They tend not to possess the “read between the lines” mindset that sometimes rules our collegiette world. He takes your actions and your words at their face value, and doesn’t attach any kind of fabricated, implied meaning to them. “I don’t really dwell on things like I think girls do. If I’m having a conversation with a girl, I expect that what she’s saying is the truth, so I don’t overthink it,” says Cory* from Boston College. In contrast, we can drive ourselves crazy when a guy doesn’t text us back within five minutes and we’ll automatically assume that he has zero intention of hooking up with us again. Our minds go a mile a minute making assumptions about what the double period in his last text message could possibly mean – relax, it’s just the way he’s signifying a pause in his thought process. Or it’s just a typo.
2. Always be straightforward and candid.
In the same way that guys don’t overthink the things that we do, they don’t embed hidden messages or mysterious codes in their sentences for us to figure out. Instead, they’re very candid so they’re clear about what they want and don’t want. “If I want to hang out with you, you’ll know; if I don’t, you’ll know too. I can’t stand when girls think they can mess with my head – it just makes her come off as a b*tch,” says Cory. If you’re confused about what he’s interested in, just ask and expect an unembellished answer. The same goes for you, so be clear about what you’re looking for in a relationship and don’t play the guessing game. It’ll only end in disappointment.
3. Be clear if you want (or don’t want) a relationship.
If you’re lying about whether or not you want to be in a relationship with someone, you’re only going to hurt yourself. When you start hooking up with someone, be clear about what you’re looking for – whether it’s just a hook-up or a boyfriend/girlfriend deal. Guys like to get those things out in the open before they get involved with a girl, so it’s only fair for you to put your intentions out there, too. Nothing’s worse than a hook-up that turns into unrequited feelings, so it’s important to be vocal early on and let him know exactly what you want – that’s presuming, surely, that you know what you want yourself.
4. If you want to spend time with your friends, spend time with your friends.
When you tell him you’re happy for him to have guys’ night, he’s going to seize that opportunity (and you should, too). If both of you can establish positive relationships with one another’s friends, then there should be no sense of jealousy when one of you wants to just spend some time with your besties. “As much as I want to hang out with her, I need guy time, too,” says one anonymous guy at Emory. “And I’d never want to keep her away from her girlfriends either. It’s not a big deal if we spend a few nights a week apart – she’d probably get sick of me any more than that!” He’s allowed to meet with his buds at the bar for game night (and doesn’t need you texting him every five minutes, by the way), just as much as you’re allowed to go out for a crazy karaoke “girls’ night” with your BFFs. He surely doesn’t need to be a part of that.
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5. Take a break from constant texting.
You know those conversations that are flirty for the sake of flirting and don’t really say anything at all? The ones that extend way beyond their expiration date, totally lack substance and just need to end, like, now? Avoid awkward back-and-forth flirtatious texting by putting down your phone for a little while. It’s okay to only text a couple of times a week; it’s okay to only talk to him to make plans and then end the conversation; it’s okay to initiate a quick “hello” and not go beyond that. “There’s nothing I dislike more than having a conversation with a girl that continues way past its expiration date,” says Michael* from Union College. Guys tend to be simplistic and frank in their text messages, and they don’t fill space/time with nonsense that doesn’t matter. They just end the conversation. Just because you’re “texting him” or “have been hanging out with him” or are “hooking up with him,” that doesn’t mean you need to be doing all of those things all of the time. Just put the phone down and let it breathe.
6. Enjoy the date you’re on (and stop worrying about the next one)
Instead of thinking about how he might try to impress you on your next date, focus on getting through the current one. Maybe you should stop tapping your foot. Maybe you shouldn’t be mindlessly twirling your hair. Maybe you should notice the spinach the between your teeth. Whatever you’re thinking should have to do with the date at hand, not the date that may or may not happen in the future. Guys have the ability to live in the moment (albeit, sometimes to the point of stupidity) and that’s definitely something that we (lovers of Instagram) should learn to live by.
7. It feels good to treat someone else to a meal.
As chivalrous as some guys might claim to be, it’s not written in stone that a guy has to pay for literally every meal you eat together. Once in a while, grab the bill and treat him to dinner. You know what it’s like to be treated and it’s only fair that he experiences the same thing, especially if you really care about him. Cory points out, “As much as I’d love to treat her to breakfast, lunch and dinner all the time, I’m not made of money.” Pick up the tab once in a while and let his wallet regain its strength.
8. Letting something go is healthier than holding a grudge.
We all know how much energy it takes to wage a fight against someone. And it’s even harder to keep those hard feelings going beyond the blowup if you didn’t really reconcile. Guys have a way of letting things roll off their backs that makes them almost unable to hold grudges. “Sometimes, a girl will get mad at me and I’ll have no idea why. If she just stops talking to me, I don’t want to approach her to risk more anger, which is something that I don’t know why girls hold on to,” says Michael. Girls, on the other hand, aren’t as willing to let things slide. If it’s a fight over something that’s not really a big deal, talk it out and get over it. Leave your bitter feelings behind and get on with your relationship. If your guy screws things up, don’t give him the silent treatment until he notices, because it could be a very long time before he does.
9. Take it easy and don’t rush into things.
Just because he’s super cute and totally brilliant and completely perfect when you first meet him, that doesn’t mean that you should hit the “In a relationship” button on Facebook after the second date. Guys tend to be discerning about the relationships they’re getting themselves into and they’re not presumptuous about declaring a title or getting serious. When you first get involved with a guy, don’t get yourself hooked too quickly. Instead, take it step by step and work on building a relationship before just constructing a label.
So they might not be certified geniuses, but they do make some enviable moves where relationships are concerned. Give those spinning wheels inside your head a rest as you stop trying to overthink things, and know when to let a conversation fizzle and let go of your grudges. As much as guys don’t understand the crazy things we tend to do, their habits can offer us information that’ll help make our relationships easier and more fun. Leave it to the guys to offer us an ease-factor – as it turns out, there are perks to having simple minds. Listening to their advice could help us to play off their low-key ways once in a while, making our love lives less stress inducing and perhaps a bit more satisfying.