Here’s another installment in my continuing series of relationship advice for young people. You can read the initial installment here.
Today’s made-up question is from a fictional forlorn fellow named Barry in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan (yes this is a real place), who writes:
Dear Advice Guy,
My girlfriend and I have been together for over a year now and everything is going well except when it comes to communication. I do my best but it seems that whatever she says means the exact opposite of the words I hear.
Last week I told her I wanted to go to the ball game with my buddies after she had made plans for us to go for supper at her mom’s and she said, “Go ahead, do whatever you want.”
Well I did, and now she’s pissed at me! I’m at wits end – this happens all the time. Is it me? What should I do?
The answer to your first question is simple; yes Barry it is you.
Understanding the subtleties of womanspeak and picking-up on the powerful non-verbal clues women give off are critical skills for any man who wishes to maintain a successful healthy relationship with a lady.
And that’s where the Advice Guy comes in!
They say that no man is truly married until he understands every word his wife is NOT saying. 😀
You see Barry unlike men, ladies rarely will tell you flat out what they want. Generally though, only younger ladies are this way so there is hope.
You’ll notice that after many years of banging her head against a wall only to realize you’re too clueless for subtlety, if she hasn’t thrown in the towel on you altogether, an older lady will give up in frustration and simply tell you what’s on her mind.
You know, like adults should; except for all the sarcasm.
And these Barry are what we call the ‘Golden Years’ 😀
During the golden years things are made much simpler for us. She’ll simply say, “No I already committed us to going to my mother’s, there’ll be other stupid games you can go to” and that will be the end of it.
If you’re wondering, in a future post I’ll address the issue of whether or not to dig in and hold your ground based on such important factors as: regular season vs. playoffs or dugout vs. nosebleed seats.
But after only a year, you guys aren’t at that stage yet, so what’s a fellow to do in the meantime?
Good news! Using the time honored technique known as Stop, Drop and Roll, domestic peace and harmony are only three steps away.
What’s that? You thought Stop, Drop, and Roll was a technique used only by people who were on fire?
Well Barry everyone knows that if your woman is truly pissed at you, you may as well be on fire so yes, Stop, Drop, and Roll does apply.
Some of the telltale signs that you’re in trouble include:
- Arms folded across her chest.
- A serious look/scowl/head shake even when you say something that usually makes her laugh
- Tapping the ground impatiently with one foot whilst whistling or humming cheerfully. Yes that last one is downright diabolically deceptive isn’t it?
- Refusing to speak or acknowledge your existence*.
If you notice any of those warning signs then it’s time to put the technique into action:
Stop
Stop what you’re doing. Stop moving. Stop thinking. Stop breathing. In fact, just stop everything. Mostly though, stop talking because nothing you can say at this point will make things any better. As my daddy would say, “put down the shovel son, the hole is deep enough.” So do yourself a favor and exercise your right to shut up.
Drop
Drop the act where you pretend not to see that she’s upset. Drop your pride or ego at the door (you can put them in that bowl she keeps your man-parts in) and be prepared to admit you were wrong.
If you have to, Drop to your knees and beg for forgiveness!
Roll
Be prepared to Roll with the blows, because dude you are going to get hit. I don’t mean literally, physically of course; though I’m told that some guys actually like that sort of thing.
I mean in a hell hath no fury… kinda way.
Remember: If she’s yelling, this is a good thing. It means the lines of communication are still open and she hasn’t given up on you yet; so listen. Pay attention to her concerns and Roll into contrite apologetic mode.
This doesn’t mean doing something so obviously desperate as rushing out to buy her flowers either.
Flowers are for 7-10 days after she has cooled down. You know, after she has time to forget that she was so mad at you… 😉
Now is the time to acknowledge your error and give her hope by genuinely committing to not making the same mistake again.
In any case there’s no point in making the same mistake again, not when she’s going to find so many other mistakes that you’ll make in the years to come 😀
*Legal Disclaimer: while complete silence is a situation to use the Stop, Drop and Roll technique, if your partner begins speaking to you in an extra quiet calm tone or from between clenched teeth, this may be a sign of a deeper level of fury in which case Stop Drop and Roll may not be right for you. In such cases, please seek immediate temporary distance between yourself and your sweetheart, such as separate area codes, cities, or even continents. Failure to heed this warning may lead to a serious and permanent condition called death.
Need advice about your relationships, real or imaginary? Then reach out with your questions to The Advice Guy via email at:
adviceguy2016 at gmail dot com
All inquiries will be kept anonymous, unless of course they have the potential to be really embarrassing, in which case all bets are off.
I am a little late to this post but had to say, I was laughing out loud at your “telltale signs you are in (big) trouble!” Norm, I have enjoyed these talks to men, in the past and must say~ You did it perfectly again! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed 🙂
LikeLike
This is so hilarious. I have been known to say “quit digging a hole”, but I love your dad’s saying and may be implementing that one soon. Teenagers tend to bring out the necessity for that statement 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think teenagers and hole digging have gone together since the beginning of time, I’d love to see the reaction you get the first time you use that line on them 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very entertaining, Norm. When you bring out the book I’ll send one to my sons and sons-in-law. My husband doesn’t need one – he’s been with me long enough to write one himself. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jean we may have to make it a collaborative effort then.
LikeLike
I like the notion of not making the same mistake again because you’ll have the opportunity to make all kinds of other mistakes . Unfortunately , I often hear : ” You always do that ……….” I guess I’m a slow learner .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Dan. No one’s perfect. You can try as you might but I think we’re all destined to repeat some of our mistake from time to time.
LikeLike
Wonderful advice…will they get it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. Hopefully they don’t get it – that’ll give me more material to write about 😉
LikeLike
Love your dad’s advice, the entire column, and I have heard of Moose Jaw. Comes of being a hockey fan. 🙂 Also Flin Flon, Manitoba and other remote outposts of the hockey empire.
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Janet. I’ve never been to Flin Flon or Moose Jaw for that matter, but I have been to Saskatoon in the dead of winter (-56 celsius) more times than someone who’s used to milder temperatures should ever have to 😉
LikeLike
Yikes!! Imagine playing hockey in that, although I guess you’d keep moving so as not to freeze. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL. I like your father’s advice to put down the shovel because the hole is deep enough!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jan, I use that one a lot. It works especially well on employees when they try to make excuses for screw-ups. We’re all human so screw-ups are allowed. Excuses? Not so much 🙂
LikeLike
Haha! I think this is so stereotypically funny for good reason. I always say what I really mean, which is probably why I was never the romantic marrying type, but it works well with adults. I’ve repeatedly told other women to stop hinting so I’m trying to help, I really am. Spot on about the silence though. Silence is deadly. Silence and a glare has my husband looking for nice things he can do to make it up to me. I think he’ll be dead before his ego can be set down. lol I’ve learned that those things he’s suddenly doing, those are his apology. Actual I’m sorrys are reserved for special occasions! Great post Norm 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Joey and bless you for saying what you mean, I’m sure the Mister appreciates it.
Please continue to spread the word; girls gotta know this stuff 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you for sharing the wisdom some of us have only been able to learn the hard way. What your wife/girlfriend says, and what she means – these bear no relation to each other.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Young guys need to be warned of these dangers Dan; the poor buggers have no idea what they’re getting into 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
“I asked her what was wrong. She said ‘nothing’ so I guess we’re cool.” so sad
LikeLiked by 1 person
*Crying* (with laughter)
LikeLiked by 1 person
*Tips hat to the lady with the fun sense of humour* 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very good advice Norm! Seems you have learned a thing or two in your “golden years”. Now if only it would catch on!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Lynn. After years of making the same mistakes it seems that some of those lessons finally stuck 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Norm, you are priceless! “And these Barry are what we call the ‘Golden Years’”…. laugh out loud funny!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It only took me 20 years to get Honey to the point where she comes right out and says exactly what’s on her mind – these really are the golden years 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahaha Spot on!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks 🙂
LikeLike
This advice works for any sex. I need to use this when my girlfriends blow up at me over some nonsense that I supposedly did.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stop, drop, and roll is an all-purpose remedy. Please feel free to use it liberally as needed 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will do.
LikeLiked by 1 person