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A note on DW 2.0

Hi sexy readers,

Thanks for stopping by! Just a quick note to let you know that this is the last post in Blogger format. The DW is takin' the show to WordPress because, you know, this interface feels about as current as Richard Marx and Warren G doing a cover of "Proud Mary". Everything you love about the genius of the site will still be there, including archived content. Your thedudewhisperer.com bookmark will still forward you to the right place. All that will really be different is a better site with better organization and even better genius.

For those of you who subscribe in a reader or by email, please let the DW know if the transfer gives you any problems. It may be that some of you have to re-subscribe, but the DW is trying to keep things as streamlined as he possibly can.

See you at the new and improved site. Onward with DW2.0!

Love and strictly non-weird platonic Euro-style kisses,

the DW

Dudefile #58 - Should I Chuck Chuck?

Dear Dude Whisperer,

Please help me!

Here is the background info: I will be dating "Chuck" for four years this November. We started our relationship at two different colleges which were about three hours away then I transferred to a school 20 minutes away from him two years into the relationship. The relationship was going very smoothly at the beginning, then we broke up and got back together a month later. I left that school at the end of the year and transferred to another school about an hour away from him. I moved back in with my parents. The weird part was, I didn't mind moving farther away. I am only 21 and he is 22.

This is what bothers me: My parents bought a weekend home near the lake, about an hour and a half drive. My family and I (parents, siblings, and brother and sister in laws) basically go up every weekend to spend some quality time with each other. Chuck, if he is off work, bickers if i ask him to come along. He tells me "its stupid and a waste of money and time," which hurts my feelings because it's family time. My parents consider him part of the family. He refuses to go to the lake, refuses to come over to my house if my parents are or are not home. He refuses to spend time with my friends and he refuses to spend holidays with me. He says "only married people do holidays together."

I am trying very hard to get closer, but he doesn't want to. He flat out told me he doesn't want to show me more attention. His friends are not making it any better. They make fun of me, and Chuck does not stand up for me. He turns his back on me if we are at the bars together with his friends. He yells at me if i ask him to treat me to a drink. There is only one friend of his "Mike" that i like.

"Mike": A friend of mine, and a friend of his. I met Mike through Chuck two years ago. He told Chuck he wanted to meet me. When I first met him, he was nothing. Then we got closer. I was trying to get my best friend and him together, but long story short it didn't work out. Chuck and Mike and another friend were looking for a place to live together, but Mike decided to not move in with them. Mike and I talk in weird patterns. There are days where we talk all the time, or there are weeks where we do not talk at all. Mike and I discussed relationships a couple weeks ago. Mike is also 22. Graduating in December with a criminal justice degree. He spilled a lot to me. He is ready to start a relationship, and not a fling. He is ready to settle down. He grew out of his "drinking every night stage".

Pretty much, Mike is everything Chuck is not. Everything that I want in a boyfriend or potential husband. He is VERY family oriented, ready to grow up, going to graduate, loves baseball, he volunteers, catholic...the list can go on. He also asked me what I think his type is. I didn't know how to answer that question.

This past Saturday, I had two tickets to a major league baseball game. Chuck was working, and so was my best friend. So, I asked Mike to go with me. We ended up going together and we had a great time. We had great conversation and we laughed. He remembered I am going to be an Aunt, which I told him back in May. He asked me if my brother and sister-in-law thought of any names yet. Mike told me a few names he has picked out once he becomes a dad.

I have NEVER met a guy who knows his future children's names already. (He is not expecting a child anytime soon). Chuck doesn't even ask me about names for my soon to be niece. Mike asked me if i was close to my parents (which I very much am). I asked him why, and his response "just wondering." Why would someone ask that?? I told him a couple problems I am currently having with Chuck (attention, him yelling at me, not spending time with me, and losing the spark in our relationship). But Mike kept repeating, "you two are gonna get married." No matter what I told Mike, he repeated the same phrase.

After the game, we got a quick bite to eat, and then drove back to my house. We had a very awkward goodbye. We were basically just standing there and adding little comments about the weather and what not. Then I initiated a hug goodbye...Then Mike left and went home. I found out he texted Chuck apologizing about going, but Chuck told him he didn't care.

Now my problem: My co-workers and my sister all think I should be with Mike. He's my dream guy. But I don't know how he feels about me. I feel like i am getting brain washed by my co-workers because i tell them stories about Mike and I, and they all tell me Mike likes me. I show them pictures of Mike and they all think he's cute. (I'm the youngest one at my job. The average age of people at my work is 40). They all tell me break up with Chuck and go for Mike. I love Chuck, but I'm scared that the only reason I'm with him is because I'm too afraid and because it's the norm. Chuck and Mike have been friends since middle school. Recently they haven't hung out in a while. Mike told me Chuck needs to grow up. They are friends, but what should i do??

I don't want to be "that girl" that breaks up a friend ship. And i don't want to look like an ass if i break up with Chuck and go for Mike. I don't even know if he likes me. I like to think he does, but I really don't think so. I DON"T KNOW. Should i go for Mike? Should I just break up with Chuck because I'm not very happy anymore? Or should I stay with Chuck and try to work it out? Another part, i told Chuck everything that is bothering me about our relationship. He told me he was going to work on things. It was okay for a week or so, and it is slowly going back to the way it was. The sad part is, I have had little feelings for Mike since December. It is now getting towards Fall. I know it's not fair to Chuck, but I'm nervous and childish, and too afraid to be alone i think...
Please, What would you do if you were put in my situation?? Girls and Guys think differently, but i am just so confused and curious and frustrated.

-Young and Confused.

Hi Y and C,

Oh my my my. Where to begin?

How about here. Chuck sounds kind of like a serious c*ckface. If the DW had ever said something like, “Only married people do holidays together,” or that super precious “waste of money and time” bit when courting the Wifey, she would have dropped his a^s before the end of the sentence. And rightly so. Really, what kind of dude thinks it’s a good idea to let his friends make fun of his girlfriend for anything, let alone something as utterly unfunny as having the gall to have a stable relationship with her family? A c@ckface. That’s what kind.

So, yes. Break up with Chuck. Like yesterday. Two days ago. Last week. Look, you’re clearly over him anyway, so what are you waiting for? More validation from everyone you know? Okay, here’s more from the DW. Do it. Hell, he’s acting like such a turd wrestler he’s practically begging you to dump him. He’s not good enough. You’re not happy. And 1200 of the 1300 words you just wrote were about Dreamy Mike, anyway.

And ah yes, about Mike- Why would you not take a shot at him? He’s clearly at least a little interested right? Let’s take a look at how we know this.

One- As the DW has said before, dudes do not do things like go to baseball games with women unless they want into their underpants. Granted, you invited him, which makes it easier, but still. If a 22 year old version of the DW is going to a Giants game, he’s calling up his friend Tom, not a gal he has no interest whatsoever in engaging in a spirited round of Ding Dong Ping Pong.

Two- All that forlorn mopey stuff about you and Chuck definitely getting married is a pretty transparent lament, right? As in, what he’s really trying to say is Please Don’t Marry Chuck! I’m The One At The Ballgame Having A Good Time With You! Meaningful Conversation And A Nice Dude! Isn’t This What Women Want! Please, For The Love Of All That Is Right, Don’t Marry Chuck! Let’s Make Out!

Three- Mike texting Chuck to see if it was okay that he hung out with you betrays a guilty conscience, right? If Mike isn’t thinking about what you’d look like wearing nothing but socks and a smile, why check in with the boyfriend? Checking in is what dudes do when they want to date an ex that a friend is still hung up on or some other such stupid perceived territorial thing. There’s no territory in going to a simple ballgame, right? Not unless Mike wants to bone you from here to next Easter, there’s not.

Anyway, look. This one’s pretty obvious. Everybody you know, from coworkers right on down to the DW, thinks it’s time to make a move. And really, deep down, so do you. Just get on with it. It’s not as big a deal as you think. The DW knows that since you’ve essentially not been single in your adult life, having been with Chuck from ages 17 to 21, this feels like an incredibly naked thing. It’s not. Most of the rest of us don’t manage to string together four years of not accidentally peeing our pants until much older than you are now, let alone maintain any kind of halfway meaningful romantic relationship. You’ll be just fine. Finer than you think. Frankly, the DW suspects the hardest part will be to stomach just how in full stride Mr. Family Is For Suckers Chuckers takes the kick to the curb.

Be brave, Y and C. And best of luck with your shot at Dreamy Mike. Too bad he's already got baby names picked out. "DW" would be perfect for your first little boy.

Keep reading,

the DW

Dudefile #57 - Stick to my Guns?

Dear DW,

I read your blog all the time, and love it! I have often wanted to write in, but all of my "dude stuff" has been going really well lately. Last week, though a situation popped up with a friend dude, and I'd like to get your perspective.

I have this friend dude who decided last year to move in with his then girlfriend of about2 months (at time of lease signing) and about 4-5 months at time of moving in. Now, I should probably also mention that this friend dude, we'll call him Cal, also bought his girlfriend a cat for her birthday before he moved in with her. Cal hates cats. HATES. A few months into living with each other, Cal and his gf/roommate broke up. At first, things were fine. They remained friends, and were able to share a living space. However, lately, it seems to have gotten worse. Not only are Cal and his ex-gf/roommate fighting somewhat regularly, but the cat has also done a few things that drive Cal crazy (like peeing on his stuff), and he wants to get out of the apartment before their lease is up in a few months. Don't forget, though, Cal BOUGHT the cat. AND signed the 12-month lease.

So, you may wonder what all this has to do with me? Yeah, me, too. Turns out that Cal's solution to this problem is for me to move in with his ex/roommate so that he can move in with my roommate. He lived with my roommate before (non-romantically), and is planning on moving in with her at the end of our lease. I'm perfectly fine with that because I like living alone. However, I'm also perfectly comfortable staying in my apartment with my current roommate until my lease ends. Cal has offered to pay me $$$ (like, 200-300 buckaroos, approximately) to stay in my own apartment, but live with his ex/roommate. He believes that this will be best for everyone. He gets to move away from his ex and live with someone he knows he's comfortable living with, my roommate will live with someone she's lived with before, Cal's ex gets to get out of a crappy living situation, and what about me? But what do I have to gain? I have to live with someone that I don't know very well for about 5 months? Gee, yeah, great idea. Oh, and just so you know, I don't really take bribes or think that the money is incentive at all.

Also, he has lied to both me and his ex about the situation by telling both of us that the other one was excited about the move when it was not true. He's manipulating my friends to try to get them to convince me even though they have no personal gain in it either, and many have told me that they wouldn't do it. He also increases the dollar amount every time I talk to him about it. I'm just feeling overwhelmed and bombarded.

My personal opinion is that my life shouldn't have to change because his sucks. He's an adult. He needs to grow up and deal with this on his own. However, I'm facing a lot of possible fall-out from saying this to him. 1) He probably won't be my friend anymore. 2) My roommate, who is close with him also, may have issues staying neutral. 3) I look like a bad guy in his eyes and to whomever he decides to tell the story to. As much as I hate that, I'm willing to stick to my guns on this one. I don't think his problem should become my inconvenience.

What do you think?

Thanks for any light you can shed,

Not My Problem, or is it?

Hi NMPooi,

So this is how reading your note went down here at the house.

(Reading.) Oh, thanks for the compliments, dollface! Just being a genius. (Reading, reading.) Cal dude feels like trouble. Also, the DW likes cats. (Reading.) Yipes. Cal dude is a trainwreck with mustard and pickles. (Reading, reading.) Oh, F&ck That! Don't you dare clean up his poopoopants!

And that's when the Wifey poked her head in from the other room and said, “Did you just say poopoopants? OMG, you have to let me read this one.”

Look, the DW spent an inordinate amount of time this week caught up in Mafia Wars, Season Two of Mad Men, and about 178 straight hours of college basketball, but he didn't pick up the phone and say, “Hey, NMPooi, since I've been busy here on the couch scratching my balls, how 'bout you come on over and give the joint a vacuum. And you know, run the duvet cover through the wash and fix me some dinner while you're at it.” Uh, nope. Because, you know, that would make him a dick.

And sure, the DW's had dude friends who will just sorta throw out ridiculous ideas like the apartment switch just for the hell of it or to be funny or whatever. Hey, why not? And that's fine. Kind of obnoxious, but you just tell the dude to shut the f*ck up and it's over. But this lying to people stuff? The coercion? Seriously, how much of a selfish lazy turd do you have to be when the little cartoon light bulb over your head in this situation says, “I know the way out! Take a crap on my friends! Perfect!”

All this is simply to say- stick to your guns. You've got this figured out just fine. There's a limit to what a friend can reasonably expect from a friend and this cheap bribe/musical apartments/duplicitous/where does this poor urinating cat end up? bullsplatter is way too much. Friends have bad ideas all the time and if you listen to all of them you'll end up with a life that looks like Vancouver's disjointed effed up gothgrunge fake tattoo tapdancers followed by KD Lang singing from a giant mushroom opening ceremonies. If Cal were to seriously, actually decide that you are no longer friendworthy over this, so be it. Whatever, homes. Stay smooth with the ladies, hombre. Smell ya later, poopoopants.

Here's to a normal apartment life.

Best,

the DW

Dudefile #56 - The Know What You Want Threesome

Dear Dude Whisperer,

Scenario: We all meet in college. 'Alex' and 'Jim' are best friends. I start dating Jim but Alex and I also become best friends in the process. Jim and I break up...2 years later Alex and I still hang out-- go to dinner together, he is kind of always my 'date' when we are out with other couples, he knows my family, we also still hang out with Jim. We always claim (and my friends tell me I am naive when it comes to his feelings about me) we are just friends but now people are starting to commenting about how close we are and even strangers think we are a couple. I choose to ignore it.

The other night we go out, get a tad too tipsy, he always tells me he 'loves' me, how beautiful I am, I am his best friend--but tonight it's over the top and then we pass out at his place. We spoon and reaches over and kisses me on the neck. That's all. The next morning he pretends like nothing happened, the usual after a night of drinking.

Should I own up to the fact that there is something going on between us or can I just continue to ignore it and enjoy what we have? Is this a toxic relationship? We both actively date other people but all of a sudden I am feeling so confused.

-Just Friends?

Hello DW,

I just recently came across your blog and have a question.

I met this a guy recently through a close friend, right away after meeting he would text and call me all the time, but by mid week he was kind of MIA, I asked him what he was up to over the weekend and he said "im going to snowboarding with a friend with benefits, I'll call you when I get back so we can hang out", should I be impressed by his honesty or should I walk away.

I have friends with benefits but im not announcing them to him or to everyone I meet. He called to hang out this week, but im wary, should I bring it up when I see him, if and when I do go out with him?

thank you !

RNP

Hi JF and RNP,

So, the DW hopes you don't mind having your letters posted in the first Dudefile threesome. Sit back and enjoy the two lady, one genius action. Cue the R Kelly. Light some candles. Aw yeah...

Reading your stories, the DW was reminded how any time he and the Wifey are on the way to buy something with a negotiable price whether it's a mattress or a motorcycle, the Wifey looks at him and says, “Now remember. You? Zip it.”

You see, unlike the Wifey, the DW is a truly terrible deal maker. Partly this is because he naively trusts that the people on the other side of the table will act in the same fair minded sympathetic genius fashion he does.

But mainly it is because he does not prepare. Buying things is not interesting to the DW so he does not decide what he wants and needs from the situation before he is in the situation. Then everybody starts talking bedframe details this and pillowtop details that and all of a sudden the DW is the Boca Raton Department of Transit trying to figure out how to clear 17 inches of snow from I-95 with six guys in flip-flops and two bags of sea salt.

And basically, that's the kind of foresight missing in these queries, right?

For you, JF, the short answer to “Are we just friends?” is, “You sure are.” You don't date, you don't bone. You just hang out like you do with your other, you know, friends. And incidentally, don't listen when other people say you look like a couple. They may be right, but they may be like the DW's grandmother who assumes that any two people of the opposite sex and same age who hang out alone must be “An Item”.

The real question is, “What do you want from this dude?” Do you want a friend? A boyfriend? A sexysecretblowjobfriend? You, like the DW on his way to buy a refrigerator, need to think about what you want, what you need, and what you absolutely will and will not settle for. Otherwise next thing you know you'll end up with some beige piece of junk that has too little storage space in the freezer and an ice maker you don't need.

Once you have a clear sense of what you're shooting for, yes, you should absolutely “own up”, as you put it, to what's going on. The DW is always in favor of being direct and honest when you're in a confusing situation with a dude. As always, dudes don't speak Hintish or Obtuseian.

Ask him what he means with all that drunkydrunk lovelove talk. Would he like to kiss your neck again? How about your sweet perky boobies? And you've got some leeway about how to phrase it. Look, this isn't exactly an I Have A Crush On A Dude In Science Class And He Doesn't Even Know I Exist situation where you have to summon the courage to approach some dreamy hunkzilla cold turkey. Seriously, this dude won't be surprised this issue is coming up unless he's criminally f&cking stupid. Talk to him. Clarify. The two of you can decide how to proceed.

And kinda the same thing for you, RNP. Whether you are impressed by or walk away from Mr. I'll Call You When I Get Back After Three Days of Bangin' the Everlovin' BeJeezus Out Of This Other Chick, depends on what you want out of the situation. If someone asks you, “Hey, it just snowed 19 inches in Tahoe. Should I go?” it helps to know if they ski. If they do, the answer is “Yes! Duh!” If, however, that person is like the DW and would rather skip the ski traffic and the ski cold and the skiing itself and stay home, spend a lot less money, and just pretend you sweated and froze your ass off at the same time in order to more quickly and comfortably get to the part where you enjoy hot chocolate and get busy making sensitive passionate love in a hot tub, then the answer is, "No! Why in the blizzardy world would you do that to yourself?"

Like JF, decide what you want. That will lead you to your answer pretty easily, right? If you want a serious bf or something, why would you even consider this dude? Is he admirably honest? You could say that. But if a dude is that immediately up front to one gal about another gal he's going to be playing Pants Around Your Ankles with all weekend with no committment, he's basically just said to your face he doesn't care if that scares you off or not because that's how he rolls, yo, and this ain't settling down and nesting time, sweetcakes, you dig? However, if what you want from dude is a friend with benefits, why not call him right now? He's eminently qualified. Instead of reading this you could be enlightening him on where you would like his dingdong to go next.

Here's to knowing what you want. Best,

the DW

Dudefile #55- He Offered The Door

Hey Dude,

Question: I have Dude that I have been dating for a year. After a couple months and a few comments from each of us implying that we don't share well with others, it became the unspoken assumption that we were exclusive.

The relationship is not working for me. I basically feel like a booty call and every time I say anything about the amount of time or interaction lacking he tells me that if it isn't working for me "there is the door".

Do I have to make an official statement or have a confrontational conversation where I explain that it is over for me? Or can I just start filling in my time with other options? We live in a small town and so it wouldn't take long for him to hear something from someone else.

FY

Hi there FY,

You know, the DW is of the opinion that just about any time someone suggests you walk out the door, you do it. The DW has never in his life suggested such a thing to someone he cared about, let alone repeatedly to a sexy gf. This isn't some bulls&t horsing around like you've seen dudes do when they punch each other on the arm and horribly insult each other and it turns out all they're doing is having fun and sharing inside ironic jokes. This is in the context of what is supposed to be a relationship, perfectly serious, and frankly just an indicator that someone is too sh&tty for any kind of problem solving or empathy. Life is to short to engage this crapsack on any level. Head out the do'. For sho'.

As for the official statement and confrontational conversation? Yes and no.

The DW is a big fan of clarity and honesty, so even though this dude is more of a Teen Sex Comedy Over the Top Jock A-Hole Villain Cardboard Cut Out than an actual homo sapiens, for your benefit and as a matter of decency, the Official Statement is a yes. Doesn't have to be Gettysburg Address or anything, just a certain and simple, “We're over like a forty year old figure skater,” will do. Then go get involved with whomever you please.

As for the confrontation and/or conversation, ohgoodlordno. Why would you do that to yourself? There's nothing to explain and no reason for a big fat examine-fest. Just inform dude you're taking him up on the offer for the door and won't be back. The whole thing could seriously take less than a minute. Auf wiedersehen, unterhosenkopf!

Best of luck with the next dude,
the DW

Dudefile #54 - Will He Only Date Asian Women?

Hi DW,

first off, love your site. it's hysterical and helpful.

now down to business. there is this guy who is in my circle of friends who i am in crush with. he's cute, fun, can have a conversation, isn't adverse to wearing a wig for a costume party. in short, a great package. i like to think of myself as the same. the only issue is i'm not asian and he tends to date asian women. he is not asian.

my question is - when a guy has a 'type', will he ever date outside of it?

thanks so much and have a wonderful day!

k

Hi K,

Okay, so the answer here really is "Sometimes". The DW can't remember if he's already mentioned this one dude roommate he had way back when, but that dude was all about some boobies. Actually, not boobies- cans. Actually, not even cans, jugs. Jugs are bigger than cans, right? Anyway, he was into the largest breast size possible, pick your favorite slang. All the women he dated had Yooge breasts. The woman he married had Yooge breasts. Never once did he get drunk and/or curious enough to go one iota sub-watermelon.

But, you know how Anne Hathaway got all angsty and kookypants for Rachel Getting Married and critics fell all over themselves saying it was the best work she'd ever done? Sometimes dudes are like that with women. They find themselves oh so gently fondling a small pair of boobies instead of a big pair of boobies and they're like, "Ah! Where have these tasty morsels been my whole life?" Going against type can turn out to be the best thing that ever happened. Think Alec Baldwin dropping the brooding leading man bit and letting himself be funny. In fact, the DW strongly encourages branching out from what you think you know you like because you're probably wrong if you've never done some comparison shopping.

In the case of this dude, the DW thinks you should consider him in play. If he's as solid as he sounds, he'll be open to going out of the narrow preference zone of Asian women. And if not, then maybe he's not so cool after all. Yes, dudes, including the DW, have ideas about what they like in a woman physically, but when a dude can't stray at all from a certain race or enormous canjugboobiebreasts or whatever the fixation is you start to get into territory where you have to wonder how much of the dude's motivation is strictly directed by fetishizing a characteristic. And that's a little dehumanizing and weird.

Best of luck with the dude we'll assume for now is not an Asiaphile.

Have fun,

the DW

Dudefile #53- What Are The Rules These Days?

Hi DW,

First of all, thanks for taking the time to read my email. I know by now you must be in more demand than ever, so thank you for this selfless duty you do for smart, yet helpless women everywhere. Second, any chance we might soon see something in print?

Ok, so here's my situation. In the 5 years that I've been out of college, I was with a guy for nearly the first 4 of them. Our relationship was very easy...we dated for about a month before we were exclusive, moved in together after just half a year, and spent another 3 years together before breaking up on mutual and friendly terms.

That was about a year ago, and since then I have been dating frequently, but nothing that has surpassed the 2nd or 3rd date mark. I have now been dating a guy for about 2 weeks, and I'm really, really into him.

Here's how that story unfolds: We "met" on Match.com about 3+ weeks ago. He emailed me before leaving on a 10 day boys trip to Hawaii, we exchanged emails for everyday that he was there, and when he got back, we arranged a date for 3 days later on a Wednesday. The first date went well and was immediate followed by a second date the next night. Before the date ended, he asked me for a 3rd date for the following Wednesday, but then asked me the Sunday prior to come over and watch a DVD. Heavy kissing, but no major action while we watched the movie.

By Wednesday (our 4th "date"), we hooked up...3rd base, no penetration...and he asked to see me the coming Monday (I hope I'm not making this too confusing to follow). We caught a movie 2 hours later than planned and then I called it a night since he had to be up for work in 4 hours. Before the night was over, he asked when I was available this week, to which I answered Friday, and we set what would have been our 6th date in 2.5 weeks.

The next day, he texts me to say that he has to cancel on our date because his friend is moving to SF on Saturday, and Friday is the only night she is available to be seen before she takes off due to other farewell dinners with friends. I said I understood, to which he said "Thank you :p", but no offer of a rescheduling. He always makes sure to schedule our next date before the last one has ended, and this is the first time he's ever cancelled, and he's doing so 4 days in advance. All in all, the chemistry and compatibility seem to be great. Following all the "rules", I haven't brought any attention to his intermittent contact, been "too" available or pursue him, never nag about where we stand or are headed....all that stuff, blah blah blah.

Now, from start to finish and being generous by including our email exchanges as part of the courting stage, we're talking about just over 3 weeks of interaction. He's only ever called me once in the 2 weeks he's had my phone number, preferring to text me only. When asked why he was still single and on Match, he answered that girls and friends call him difficult because of his need for independence and autonomy and that most girls can't handle it. He's an only child and has never lived in a house with roommates. I know he likes his personal time and space.

Now, I've read all the books...He's Just Not That Into You, two books from the Venus/Mars collection, and at least 3 other carbon copies of the former...but I can't figure out what's going on here?

Is he just "not that into me"? After a few months of using Match in 2 attempts (split up when he met girls the more conventional ways and dated them for no longer than 5 weeks), he closed his account the morning after our latest date...the same day he cancels on me. Do I read this as him thinking he's found someone worth dating regularly? Or as him giving up on this as a medium for finding eligible dates? He did mention prior that he would be closing it soon, so it didn't come as a surprise. Is him cancelling on me without rescheduling his gutless way of hoping I'll "get the hint"?

Or, is this the way normal and healthy relationships tend to progress? What's the protocol these days? Most examples I have of couples are those that met while in college, or those that developed something after a randomly hooking up at a bar/party. We haven't slept together, but he's seen me naked. I know it's not the "performance" itself that would push him away...maybe that I was willing to "perform" by date 4. Date 5 was great, I thought anyway. He was affectionate and exhibited PDA and all the signs that he's into me.

I don't know. I have no clue what's going on. My guy friends say that guys move sloooow and that it's way too early to expect more than he's given me. But my experience the last few years is that when a guy is into me, he's calling, making plans, and really trying to win me over. So what am I supposed to think about this situation?

Please help!! Thanks so much!!

KR

Hi KR,

So, the most fascinating thing to the DW about Jersey Shore is the weird understood code of ethics among Snooki and the gang. They have very specific ideas about what's “classy”, what is acceptable in the proximity of a “female”, how much boob is properly displayed by a corset inspired club dress. And although the criteria for these judgments are utterly lost on the DW and the rest of civilization, they police everything from diet to hair gel usage and essentially the show becomes this strangely confining and puritanical dance of manners. You know, in between folks punching each other in the face and stuff.

Now, the DW isn't suggesting that the rules you want to learn will lead to a Groundhog Day cycle of Gym, Tan, Laundry. But the parallel universe of the Shore is a cautionary tale about what happens when you get too focused on games and rituals and rules instead of stepping outside The Situation, er, the situation, and being the one to say, “You know, today is the day I put my foot down and refuse to get sh&tfaced at Karma and troll for dudes on steroids.”

In other words, the DW's general position on How The Game Is Played is this. Who cares? You don't have time to be held down by The Man, dig? The current protocol for when to return a call or which number of dates before you go for under the shirt boob or whatever is arbitrary and changes all the time, anyway. Why turn romance into a to-do list? To-do lists are for stuff like scooping the cat litter and vacuuming the couch, not how to be funny on a date or deciding if it's time to be exclusive.

Make your own rules about whether or not you and the dude are being decent and fair. Is he being a nice dude? Is he acting the way you, KR, would act towards someone you liked and respected?

In those terms, this dude seems pretty okay, right? Emailing you every day on vacation with the dudes in Hawaii is good. 6 dates in 2 and a half weeks is a healthy amount. Dude plans ahead for you which shows consideration. It's a compatible pace right now with the Journey to the Center of No Pants. And hey, if a dude opens a Match account the day he cancels a date with you, that's when you get worried, not when he closes one. (Most women who write the DW have exactly the opposite problem.)

So the dude canceled a date. It happens. If only we were all informed about canceled dates with four days warning and a perfectly legitimate excuse what a wonderful world it would be. This ain't exactly Pauly D you're mixed up with right now, y'know?

Hey, maybe this works out long term, maybe he is a precious only child type and it doesn't. But this isn't the moment that is going to tell you one way or the other.

Deep breath, babycakes. It's been 6 dates. That's reeeeallly early. After six dates the Wifey still had her profile up and half the DW's friends had no idea he was seeing someone.

You'll go out again. Enjoy the date, judge by your own rules, take it from there.

Best,

the DW

(PS- Thanks for the nice words! No set plans for anything in print just yet, but the DW is certainly taking all offers for spreading the genius.)

Dudefile #52 - What's Up With My Ex?

Dear Dude,

I'll try to keep it short.

Background: This guy and I broke up last about 8 months ago. I REALLY liked this guy, and the break-up was kind of a surprise. Needless to say part of me is still not over it, as much as I hate to admit it. I have since been in/am in another really good relationship, but this new guy is very different from my ex.

Well, by some weird series of events, my ex ended up at 2 separate parties that my roommate had, both of which I was not present for because I was either home or away with my current boyfriend. The ex said to my friend that I'd be "mad if I knew he was there" (which I'm not, just surprised) and that he "needed to have a talk with me."

I have not run into him yet, nor have we had a talk. It's been weeks. I can also ASSURE you that he is not into my roommate, so we can rule that out. However, I wanted to know what he had to say so I sent him a friendly text. He never responded. I know his number is the same. I know he still has my number. So what's up with ignoring me?

I know I should probably just let things happen, but what is going through this kid's head. I think it's really strange that he's been at my apartment (where he used to spend a lot of time!) yet I haven't been there, and he hasn't said a word to me about it. Is he waiting to talk in person? Does he just not care at all? I need a dude's opinion on this and you're the only one who really gives any kind of good advice.

Thanks dude!! Look forward to your response. Hope things are going well with you and yours.

M

Hi M,

Oh boy.

Well, the thing the DW has to tell you right off the bat is that dudes have no interest in “Talks” with exes. None. Zero. Ohf*cknoway. As you and your friends may have noticed over the years, dudes are often terrible enough having “Talks” with the chicks they're currently with. But exes? What's to be gained by that talk? When the DW goes to the dentist, all that drilling and scraping is at least to fix a cavity or make the ol' choppers look better or whatever. But a “Talk” with the ex is all drill, no reward. Kinda like watching The View.

Now, the above may sound cruel, but it really isn't. It's just practicality. If a dude perceives no reason for something, he has no interest. It's why the DW doesn't shave on Saturdays. Why on the blue planet Earth would he? In fact, you shouldn't even think of it as the ex dude “ignoring” you. Using the term ignore implies that not talking to you is not the normative state of affairs (if you pardon the intentional double negative). But that's exactly the state of affairs. You two just don't have lives that are intertwined anymore, that's all.

Now, as for the ex-dude saying that he thought you two should have a talk? Well, the DW would bet his favorite testicle that a whole lot of context is missing in the version of the story that made it to your ears. Not that your friend is lying or anything, the DW suspects she just didn't read the dude properly. Here's a guess at how it went down:

One- dude simply said something about how "[you] would be mad" about him being in the apartment as a way of acknowledging, or being a little self-effacing about, how it's, um, awkward! that he's back in this physical location that once upon a time was synonymous with being knee deep in your vagina. Dudes are territorial. He probably felt a little weird being on "your turf", even if that's not how you necessarily think of it.

Two- Then, in the course of a discussion with your friend, if any little thing came up about how you had been surprised about the breakup or how you still wondered what the f*ck he was thinking or how, yessir, it would indeed be hella uncomfortable if you two were in the same room this ex dude would feel compelled to say something like "yeah, we should have a talk" because it's the nice thing to say and about 912% easier to throw out there than trying to explain on the fly what the DW said above about how, frankly, your lives are none of each other's business anymore and there's nothing much left to say except "Fare thee well and best of luck in future endeavors."

Look, the DW is sorry for what happened to you. Getting blindsided by a breakup like that is a truly craptacular thing to go through and one that can take a heck of a lot more time to put behind you than the 8 months you've dealt with so far. But the fact is, you and dude are broken up now, everybody's moved on, and you even have a new boyfriend. Incidentally, anybody else see the problem that we're only getting around to mentioning Current Dude in the last paragraph? Rather than cluttering up your day with thoughts about what the ex is thinking or who he's boinking or anything like that, The DW would suggest you concern yourself more with what's going on in the head of the dude you're currently with. He's the one that should matter to you now.

Thanks for the well wishes. Here's to letting exes go.

Best,

the DW

Dudefile #51- Should I Have "The Talk"

Hi Dude!

I absolutely love your blog. I happened to come across it at a time when I am in need of some dude-ly advice. It's a bit of a long story, so I'll try to give you the shortest (but still accurate) version I can.

I have this guy. He and I have known each other for a long time and have been on-and-off "seeing each other" for about a year now. We had lost touch, but happened to meet up when I moved back to our city last summer and had some seriously amazing f*ckbuddy action. I was usually the catalyst for our meetings, though. He rarely called or texted, I usually was the one to be like "Hey... Let's get together..." And that's just how I thought it worked. He then ran off for a job working on a political campaign, and pretty much disappeared. I like to pride myself on being really good at such situations, the whole no-strings-attached-let's-just-have-fun-and-lots-of-sex thing, but this guy I just fell for. He's smart, cute, and really fun... Not to mention amazing in the bedroom. So, when this boy disappeared, I was pretty sad. There was no "Hey, I'm over it, let's not do this anymore", which I could have handled, it was just *poof* and gone.

All of a sudden, guess who shows up again this March: Yep, you guessed it, the boy. He was all "I shouldn't have treated you that way... It was a bit much for me, you seemed more into me than I was to you, but since I've been gone, I was seeing this other girl, and she treated me just like I treated you, and I realized what an a**hole I was, and you deserve SO much more because you're an amazing girl, and you deserve way better than me... You must hate me for what I did, but is there any way you'd give me another chance?" And being a nice girl, I did. It was rocky for a little while, but I made it clear that he was to work his booty off if he wanted anything from me, and he was pretty good about that, with a few hiccups. After the worst hiccup, I gave him a very VERY serious rundown of the rules he was to follow and now all of a sudden, it appears that I have "tamed the beast", as my lovely roommates have said.

The boy now calls or texts every day. He's super busy on another campaign, but he still makes the time to get in touch. We see each other every weekend, and I am taken out to very nice dinners (we're both huge foodies) and we still have that seriously amazing time in the bedroom. He holds me around my waist and kisses my forehead, even in public. He acts all boyfriend-y with me, and I am loving it. I even met the parents last weekend, and seemed to go over quite well with them. He continued to be touchy-feely, even in front of them.

So, get down to the point, right? Here's the question: What are we? Or what am I to him? I'm a bit hesitant to have "The Talk" with him because I don't want to scare him away again. I've been good about following my own rules and not over-texting him, and it seems to be working. He seeks me out now, not the other way around. I REALLY like this guy and would like to get him to commit to at least SOME level of exclusivity without a) scaring him away of b) ruining what we have.

He's taking me away next weekend for time at the beach, and I think that all of this attention and now a trip mean that he's got at least some intention of keeping me around. I know now that he responds well to rules and structure, but I don't at all want to have to enforce this, I want it to be something he wants just as much as I do. It seems like he does, but I'm afraid to ask. Help me, Dude!

Sincerely,

Wanting More

Hi there WM,

Now before we get to your situation, the DW hopes you don't mind if he says a quick how do you do to all the readers who have been kind enough to politely and justly ask where the hell the DW's been. There's confusing dudes out here, dude! Come on! They're killin' me! Seriously!

Short answer is that the DW's been busy out in the real world trying to start a business and traveling and fun stuff like that. A big sloppy wet kiss of thanks to those of you who have patiently waited for new posts and, in some cases, even checked in to make sure the DW and the Wifey were okay. We're fine. Great, in fact. I'll be shooting for about a Dudefile a week from here on, with other stuff mixed in as I can. We'll see how that goes.

But enough of the past. Onward to the genius!

Now firstly, and as a bit of an aside, the DW would like to throw out a quick word of advice about saying stuff like “taming the beast”, or telling a dude “the rules he is to follow”, or even that you, as you put it, WM, “have” a guy. However much those things might be true and/or deserved, it would be wise not to ever ever ever use them when the dude is around. He will instantaneously prickle up, make a turd face, and say something crass to reassert to anyone present that he's nobody's p-whipped puppetboy, thank you very much.

Look, even the DW, somewhere deep down in his wildly potent brain, is aware he is undergoing a supertopsecret Subliminal Taming Through Cleanliness and Presentability training seminar from the Wifey on a daily basis, he just likes to be allowed to pretend to himself and his dude friends that it's not happening. It's the DW's own idea to have a shoes off policy in the house. All his, got it? Keep the possessive/training language to girl's night mojito-tinis chatter at Sparkle's and life with dudes will be smoother.

That said, let's get to your question. And for that, the DW would like you to make picture in your mind. You are holding a slice of bundt cake. It's decent cake. Maybe vanilla with some nuts or something. Now picture that four feet in front of you on a table is an entire enormous three foot thick bundt cake of your favorite flavor. Coconut! The whole giant cake is still warm from the oven, slathered with a positively lascivious chocolate sauce.

Here's the deal, though. The big fat gooey chocolate coconut cake is on this little three leg table that's teetering. You have a choice. 1) Keep your vanilla slice and watch the big cake topple and splatter. 2) Toss your slice aside and lunge with both hands to try to save the big delicious hunk of indulgence.

Anyway, you get what the DW's saying. Yes, in this analogy, the big toppling cake you try to catch might end up on the floor. And all up the front of your shirt. And all down the front of your pants. And then you've got nothing to eat and you look like kind of a dope until you get a change of clothes. But it's still worth the shot, right? I mean, come on! If all you want is a slice of vanilla bundt cake you can hit any coffee shop in the neighborhood. Whatevs, brah. Bo. Ring.

Which is, of course, to say- Just talk to the dude already!

Look, usually the DW is pretty skeptical of giving a disappearing dude a second chance, but this one, by your account, seems to be making a pretty good go at being an honest stick-around I Actually Am A Better Dude Due To Recent Experiences boyfriend type this time. Well, one way to find out for sure. Have The Talk. Because really one of two things is going to happen. One, you have a commitment from the dude. Two, dude balks and runs away again as is, apparently, still his M.O.

Either one is better than now, right? Even if he runs away, at least you find out his deal and you can get on with giving your time to a dude who can give you more of what you want. Yes, you're risking some sweet hot boning action and some good times. But moving up the seriousness ladder never comes without risk, so there's no way to completely hedge against maybe scaring him off or maybe finding out you've always and only been a hot tangle of sheet sweets in his dude brain. And anyways, if you weren't anxious about the current state of things you wouldn't be writing the DW anyway, right?

Just talk to him. Be honest. Be direct. He's only a dude.

Best of luck talkin' The Talk,

the DW