Photo: Mike Kemp (Getty Images)
Winning over a woman is no easy task. Convincing her to stick with you when she could (probably) do better is a daily routine, but luckily most people stay in relationships simply because they don’t know how to end it . Chances are, you’ve been in this type of relationship before, if you aren’t at the moment.
Here are 10 reasons why she probably doesn’t like you all that much. If you find yourself doing at least three of these things, perhaps you should a little inventory for self-improvement sake (or end it already) before one of you gets hurt (or before it progresses to psychological warfare break-up status).
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She Does Not Like You
You Still Live With Your Parents
Nothing kills the mood faster than wanting to go back to your place and you saying that you still live with mom and dad. Listen, if you want to create and maintain a relationship, you need to move out of the basement, Danny.
You Dress Like a (Very Unfunny) Punchline
If you wear Affliction, Tap Out, or Under Armor, she doesn’t like you. Probably you should only wear Tap Out shirts if you’re 12-0. You should only wear Affliction shirts if you live in Jersey. You should only wear Under Armor if you want the world to see your every nook and cranny. Those are the only three appropriate situations to dress like a tool, otherwise, be a man and suit up!
You're 30 and Still Play Video Games
We love video games. We love Halo and Madden and GTA. But you know what we love more than video games? Women. Know why? Because you can sleep with women. Can you sleep with your X-Box? No, you can’t. So quit playing it, junior! You’re 30 years old. It’s time to start actually going out and spending time with real people, not just the people on your PlayStation network.
You Never Pay
It’s your first date, your palms are sweaty, you have butterflies in your stomach and all you want is for everything to go perfectly. You take her to the finest restaurant, order the wine, the lobster, and some French dessert you don’t know how to pronounce. You’re looking deep into each other’s eyes and you are smitten. Then it comes time to pay, and you realize you forgot your wallet. Though embarrassing, this instance could be adorable and charming if you play it right. Nine months later, if you’re still “forgetting” your wallet, you’re no longer adorable and charming. You’re a mooch.
You're Constantly On Your Phone
We get it. You’re very busy and important. And you’re aloof, so you don’t know how important and busy you are. But when you’re with your lady, make her your priority. She didn’t go out with you to watch you text, tweet, tumblr, or insta-whatever. Whether you’re texting your boss, your mom, or another woman, it doesn’t matter. Nobody else in the world should matter when you’re with her. Make sure she knows that.
You're Too Clingy
We've never really subscribed to the "three-day rule," (waiting three days after a date before you call her). We've always thought that if you like her and want to see her again, call her. But there’s a difference between calling her once, after a date, and texting her 10 times after a date. Standing outside of her house in the rain is cute in the movies. In real life, it’s creepy and borderline stalker-ish. Give her space. Let her decide what she wants. And if she doesn’t want you, forget her and move on! There are a lot of women out there. She’s not the only one, so don’t crowd her, don’t freak her out, and don’t be clingy.
Her Parents Don't Like You
This used to be a lot bigger deal than it is now, but it is still important. We are of the belief that the most important people you have to impress (after the woman herself) are her parents. Women do care what their parents think. They don’t need to be taken care of, but sometimes they want to be taken care of, and they want their parents to know that you will take care of them. This is why it’s incredibly important to impress the 'rents. When you don’t, it's a huge red flag.
Her Friends Don't Like You
The only people that matter more to a woman than her parents are her friends. Here’s a secret: your girlfriend will tell her best friend everything. Everything. Your first date, your first kiss, your first time making love, how good you were at it, how bad you were at it, how long it lasted, how you cried after, everything. She will tell her best friend every last detail of your relationship. This is why it really helps to impress her friends so they can be on your team. Be buddies with them. Show them that you are the one guy in the entire world that deserves their friend. If they hate you, she will hate you.
You're Her Best Friend
Here’s the deal, bud. Guys and gals can be friends without one of them wanting more. But it’s hard. It takes strength, respect, and the conscious decision not to drink an inordinate amount of alcohol when you’re both lonely. The good news is, your friendship with a woman will probably last a lot longer than any romantic relationship will. Statistically, romantic relationships don’t usually last. But friendships do. This is one of the biggest reasons why she doesn’t “like like” you. She knows that friendship is usually stronger than romance, and she would prefer to have someone in her life who she can talk to, cry to, open up to, and trust. More than likely, she wants someone who she can be vulnerable with and trust that he’s not just trying to get in her pants. She wants you in her life forever, not just for a year or two, or four.
She Doesn't Know You Like Her
Take a chance. Jump. Sink or swim. Whether it’s someone at a bar, a market, in the library, or your aforementioned best friend, if you like her, tell her. What would happen? Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. The biggest reason she "doesn’t like you" is because she doesn’t know that you like her. So tell her you do. And don’t be afraid of the outcome.