Translator
 
 

The Manslator

A few weeks ago we discussed what guys think you mean when you start with the double-talking jibber-jabber (that’s a technical term).  As I admitted before, we happen to suck at this particular form of discourse, but that doesn’t stop us from trying.  For example, when you ask us if you look fat in some pants, and we say, “No,” we really mean, “You’re freaking me out, and I’m scared to say anything.”  Did someone just pull the clever lever?  You just got your mind blown!

Now that you’re aware of our rudimentary grasp of sub-text, here are a few more fake-outs we like to throw around:

What we say:  There’s only a minute left in the game.
What we mean:  There’s 20 minutes left in the game.

This is because the final minute of a basketball or football game can take anywhere from a minute to a half-hour to play out.  So, this statement is true, but intentionally misleading.  Much like this one: “I love Paris Hilton’s movies.”

What we say:  I like your new haircut.
What we mean: I noticed your new haircut.

The average dude isn’t confident enough in his understanding of women’s hairstyles to properly critique your new hairdo.  If we observe any change, we compliment and leave it at that.  Unless it looks really crazy, in which case we won’t bring it up.

What we say:  I guess I’ll watch Top Model, if you want.
What we mean:  I can’t wait to hear what Miss Jay has to say.

This goes for American Idol, Project Runway, Gossip Girl, or any other show that isn’t considered cool for guys to like.  If we’re watching it, we want to watch it.  If we didn’t want to watch it we would engage in some other activity like "reading a magazine" or "bothering you while you’re trying to watch Top Model."

What we say:  I’ll call you tomorrow.
What we mean:  N/A

Not only is this our old stand-by, but it can also mean absolutely anything from, “I will actually call tomorrow” to “I’m moving to a cave in China and you’ll never hear from me again.”  In a way, this phrase has lost all meaning when uttered by guys, because there is no logical means of discerning which end of the spectrum it’s on.  Guys don’t even know if they’ll call tomorrow.

What we say:  I never do this kind of thing.
What we mean:  I do this a lot, but don’t want you to think I’m a dirt-bag.

If we didn’t actually do this kind of thing, we wouldn’t be doing this kind of thing.  And, for the record, I suppose you don’t do this kind of thing either, do you?

Written by: Marty Flanagan

Comments:

what dose it mean when he says sorry over and over again

stepahnie
Friday, 21 March 2008 01:00 AM EST

how do I tell if he means what he says?

Amy
Friday, 21 March 2008 22:14 PM EST

Amy - you don't, guys are still a mystery to females, and we will never be able to fully understand this fascinating and complex species ;)

Natalie
Sunday, 23 March 2008 16:27 PM EST

When asked if he loves me he said i'm getting their.

Amy
Monday, 24 March 2008 14:57 PM EST

Amy, if you have to ask a man if he loves you, you already know he doesn't because you can't see it in his eyes, and more importantly he hasn't told you he does.

Julianna
Saturday, 05 April 2008 20:36 PM EST

The way the mans brain functions is completely different to us females. We lean more on the emotional side, while they lean on the side that dosnt require thinking. kidding! Females do the same things to. It just depends on your mood, on how you react to a question!

Sabrina-- Everyones a Smarta$$
Tuesday, 08 April 2008 03:37 AM EST

Most people lie and say yes.. I love you, because they know thats what the other person wants to hear, they fall in the trap. And these people, hurt themselves more then the other person. Sometimes people dont say it because they are either shallow, or they dont want to hurt the other person by lying.. Its not ment to be, but love does grow!

Sabrina- Pitty, or Shallow!
Tuesday, 08 April 2008 03:41 AM EST

My boyfriend and I just had a major fight, while planning our engagement and wedding dates. The last time he contact me, it was via a txt message 4 days ago. I was very angry at the time to reply, so I didn't. It's been 4 days, and I've been hoping that he'd contact me to see if I'm ok, to check on me, to initiate contact, as he would usually do...but he hasn't. I know he's thinking about this as much as I am...but why hasn't he contacted me for 4 days? What is the average time a guy goes, without talking to his girl? I know he loves me dearly...but I don't understand why this is happening. We're usually great communicators...but right now, I really don't understand why he's taking this to such an extent. How long can a guy be mad at his girl? As much as I hate saying this, I'm starting to wonder if he loves me as much as he says...but then again, I do know for a fact that he loves me dearly. All my friends tell me to wait and make him contact me first...but how long can the waiting game last? I hate this!! I love him, but I love my dignity more...what to do?

smurfette
Sunday, 20 April 2008 20:15 PM EST

maybe you should marry your dignity? if your planning on spending a lifetime together, maybe try to suck it up on this one, apologize first, and be happy that you are marrying a guy who finally grew some balls

MM
Thursday, 01 May 2008 03:59 AM EST

yeah, well, we broke up. Last week. He refused to take more time to think about things, and I was very angry and upset. I was making suggestions in an effort to find a way to work things out, and he shot down every suggestion I made, insisting on his one and only way of doing things. I have nothing to apologize for. He has A LOT to apologize for. I put in everything into this relationship, and I just don't understand why he turned into a jerk all of a sudden. Still shocked and in disbelief that he'd behave like this with me...that he'd give up so easily on us. Ah well...nothing much I can do at this point...

smurfette
Saturday, 03 May 2008 00:51 AM EST

Im sorry to hear that you are going through this. But pleas know in time it will get better. I know it feels like hell now, but you will meet other people and realize how much better you deserve than what you actually got.

much love

cj
Saturday, 03 May 2008 21:52 PM EST

thanks...your words mean a lot...I just wanna find out why he changed so suddenly on me...that's all I want at this point....if only he'd reply to my damn messages...I'm running after him or anything of the sort...I just deserve an explanation...

smurfette
Saturday, 03 May 2008 23:56 PM EST

NOT*

smurfette
Tuesday, 06 May 2008 21:02 PM EST

Smurfette, Maybe it's time to have a chat with a Psychic aka Tarot Reader. I read your first post and I'm not surprised it went where it did. Give me a ring! http://www.KnowTheWay.ca

Abella Arthur
Wednesday, 07 May 2008 18:06 PM EST

soo if he says what ever you want whay does that really mean ??

misssezz
Wednesday, 25 June 2008 02:20 AM EST

sooo if he says ill do what ever you want what does that mean ?? (oops mistake )

misssezz
Friday, 27 June 2008 01:10 AM EST

well i think that most men think that if they say what ever they think we wanna hear the'll say it becuase they are just that weird and they will say anything to make us happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

miss lonely and dont undestand men
Saturday, 05 July 2008 04:01 AM EST

Very informative, ty! :)

Liz
Sunday, 06 July 2008 19:04 PM EST

my bff won't let me date herbrother who is a year older and he is so cute!what should i do????????????????????

single and sad
Monday, 07 July 2008 09:04 AM EST

Don't date her brother. Chicks before d.i.c.k.s! If you aren't true to his little sister and you don't have her blessing that relationship won't go anywhere anywho.

Duh
Sunday, 20 July 2008 23:45 PM EST

me and my bestfriend just started dating. every friday i go out with some friends. i always invite him to come. but everytime something ALWAYS comes up. should i be worried or should i just relax?

help plz :'(

lovergirl101
Saturday, 09 August 2008 19:41 PM EST

It depends on who they are. If you've been bestfriends with him for a long time and you know him, then you should know if you can trust him, if you haven't then tell him that he can tell you the straight-up truth, and you just have to accept what comes.

someonerandom
Friday, 29 August 2008 14:19 PM EST

Im in a long distance relationship and yesterday my boyfriend and I had a talk and he started saying how he doesn't know if he can put up with not being able to have me around all the time, that he's having a hard time being in this relationship. He said that he was crazy about me in the beginning and now he feels as if he's slowly losing interest in me but he doesn't want so he wants to take a break and stay friends for a while. He said that he's scared of losing me again because he loves me. I don't know what to do ..any advice ?

Vivian
Tuesday, 11 November 2008 01:56 AM EST

If he feels that way, theres nothing you can do about it, i say respect his wishes yet dont let him slip away and if he cares about you as much as he says he does then he will not let you slip away either, you might not have the label as boyfriend/girlfriend but it does not mean the feelings arent mutal so stay friends try and work it out and if it ends it wasnt meant to happen, dont hold on to something thats not going to be there even though its hard.

Lizzie
Sunday, 16 November 2008 18:13 PM EST

All of you women seem to share a common denominator. Your men are feeling cornered. Speaking personally, my partner has a comment or criticism about damn near everything I do to the point where I don`t even want to bother. It`s like "why can`t you and the kids ever put the dishes in the dishwasher and yet when we do, she comes behind us and rearranges what we just did". Who new the laws of physics would be altered and food would weld itself to a bowl if a plate is anywhere nearby.and that`s even after I thoroughly rinse them off before hand. Are all women this controlling ?

ric
Saturday, 13 June 2009 15:44 PM EST

No we're not all mighty and controlling...

There are a few things that could be wrong with your woman, Ric. Primarily that she is feeling insecure about something else in her life - something that she has no control over and finds the need to have control over SOMETHING.

Have you tried talking to her about this behaviour and trying to find the root of the problem? I would suggest something along the lines of 'Sweety (darling, baby, dear any pet name you have) I understand that you need help around the house, I'm trying to help you as best I can but sometimes when I do a certain chore one way, you redo it. This deflates me in the sense that I feel as I'm not doing it right at all. Why is that and can we work on this together?'
**Here's the warning though - because I don't know your relationship one of two things could happen. 1. She'll realize her behaviour and modify it or 2. She'll freak out (aka throw a tantrum, cry, get angry and blame you), then come to a conclusion as to why she has this behaviour. I would also recommend having this discussion at a peaceful moment ie, when you're starting to get ready for bed, or when the kids are out of the house and it's just the two of you.

I've grown up with a similar sort of woman - nothing is EVER done to her specs, she's generally constantly stressed about one thing or another, grumpy, short tempered etc. But if your has a constant need to control EVERYTHING, it's because she feels out of control in her own body or life. There could be a lot of other things ranging from mild to moderate depression to just a general anxiety.

Talk to her about it in the sense that you love her, support her and want to help find a solution. The same way you would want her to be there for you if you were dealing with some stuff....

M
Wednesday, 17 June 2009 07:50 AM EST

"Are all women this controlling ?" - Ric

Wow, label people much, Ric? No, we're not all "controlling" and complaining, that's not normal. There's something up with your wife and you need to speak to her, instead of shrugging it off and declaring her to be a "typical woman". That's not dealing with your domestic issues, that's hiding behind your conceived stereotypes.

Saffy
Wednesday, 17 June 2009 12:46 PM EST

what does it mean if a guy just says whatever? does he mean it in a douchebag voice or what?

Dan
Thursday, 20 May 2010 11:24 AM EST

@Dan
he means something like:"i dont give a S***. go away."
i think it are mostly women who say something but mean something totally different, men just say what they mean without putting some sort of emotional underlying message or something like that.

B
Thursday, 16 December 2010 17:26 PM EST

My bf says he loves me and has been very sick this last year. In and out of hospital. He is better now but has gained fifty pounds. I want to have sex but he says he is still recovering. I work two jobs to support us and feel like I'm just a room ate paying all the bills.
12 hour girl

Love3
Tuesday, 14 June 2011 02:27 AM EST

Yawn

tina
Monday, 11 July 2011 08:41 AM EST

@smurfette He doesn't want to get married and was looking for an excuse to break it off.

tina
Monday, 11 July 2011 08:52 AM EST

There's an infamous phrase going around which adults love to use. It goes something like this: "If s/he doesn't call then 'no answer IS your answer.'"

Well, I'm sorry. No. It's not. It is not an answer. LITERALLY.

THAT pathetic phrase is merely an attempt by "adults" to socially sanction their irresponsible and childlike behaviour. Sorry folks, but your actions DO affect others. Be responsible for them.

Grown ups ARE supposed to declare what they mean or at least fess up to the fact that they might not know. Out loud. As in, "here's what I'm actually thinking."

Imagine how much CLEARER and EASIER the world and our communications would be if we just said what we meant.

Why this whole column would be completely unnecessary.

Imagine.

James
Wednesday, 22 February 2012 16:56 PM EST

So... I need some opinions or advice. Recently this guy i used to hook up with for about 2 yrs ago contacted me thru fb lol... I wanted nothing to do with him after he had hooked up with a close cousin of mine who i considered a sister. After i confronted him about it he told me it was true nd that they didnt have sex even tho i hadn't asked him that... Before all that happened we weren't talking for about a year because of well thats a whole other story. But after I had confronted him i totally ignored his friend requests than about a month ago he messaged me acting as if nothing had happened. I just straight out told him i wasn't tryna be a bitch but what do u want? nd his reply was "to maybe be friends again".... He has a girlfriend and really I don't kno how to react to this.. What do I do?

#Confused
Tuesday, 28 February 2012 23:57 PM EST

Some advice to confused i think you should totally ignore he's messages too he probably just wants to hook up again and you need to move on for your own good i know its easier said than done but you obviously already know what a jerk he is.

lola
Thursday, 05 April 2012 19:46 PM EST

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