Dear Duck & Cover,

Yes. Sadly, we have heard of this book. We too know of fellow (and future) victims of this vile, evil text. 'He's Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys' is the hottest dating advice book for women since 'The Rules' of the 90's. What makes this new book so hot? Well, for starters, it's authors are two writers of the female popular show, 'Sex in the City'. After a little talk show circuit action AND the office cooler talk, it's not just popular gentlemen, it's now a plague. It's been #1 on the New York Times Hardcover Advice Best-Seller list for 7 weeks now, and it will get worse before it gets better.

What's the message of 'He's Just Not That Into You'? Basically it's, if the guy you're seeing is not doing EVERYTHING Prince Charming would do from day 1 of the relationship, then he's just not THAT into you so you shouldn't waste your time and move on. The book is written in a question and answer format so let's look at some examples.

The 'But He Gave Me His Number' Excuse

Dear Greg,
I met a really cute guy at a bar this week. He gave me his number and told me to give him a call sometime. I thought that was kind of cool, that he gave me control of the situation like that. I can call him, right?
Lauren

Dear Control Freak,
Did he give you control, or did he just get you to do the heavy lifting? What he just did was a magic trick: It seems like he gave you control, but really he now gets to decide if he wants to go out with you ? or even return your call. Why don't you take Copperfield's number, roll it in a newspaper, pour milk in it, and make it disappear.

'Give me a call.' 'E-mail me.' 'Tell Joey we should all hang out sometime.' Don't let him trick you into asking him out. When men want you, they do the work. I know it sounds old school, but when men like women, they ask them out.

and

The 'Maybe I Don't Want to Play Games' Excuse

Dear Greg,
This is dumb. I know you're not supposed to call guys, but I call guys all the time because I don't care! I don't want to play games. I do whatever I want! I've called guys tons of times. You're such a square, Greg. Why do you think we can't call guys and ask them out?
Nikki

Dear Nikki,
Because we don't like it. Okay, some guys might like it, but they're just lazy. And who wants to go out with Lazy Guy? It's that simple. I didn't make the rules and I might not even agree with them. Please don't be mad at me, Nikki. I'm not advocating that women go back to the Stone Age. I just think you might want to be realistic in how capable you are of changing the primordial impulses that drive all of human nature.

Or maybe you're the chosen one.
Men, for the most part, like to pursue women. We like not knowing if we can catch you. We feel rewarded when we do. Especially when the chase is a long one. We know there was a sexual revolution. (We loved it.) We know women are capable of running governments, heading multinational corporations, and raising loving children ? sometimes all at the same time. That, however, doesn't make men different.

and

Dear Greg,
I'm dating this guy who told me after the first date that he can't be monogamous. He doesn't believe in it. I slept with him anyway. Then I realized it would be hard to date him, so I told him I couldn't go out with him. But then I missed him. So now we're doing this weird thing where we hang out, go on dates, and then have these cuddly 'sleepovers.' I sleep over at his house and we just cuddle. It's so nice, Greg. We make dinner, watch television, laugh. It's really sweet and I feel so close to him. He doesn't try anything and we just enjoy each other's company. I know I'm not supposed to expect anything more, but I'm feeling like his girlfriend, and you never know where this could lead. It feels so great to stay over and wake up with him! Is there anything wrong with this?
Pat

Dear Slumber Party,
Let me see. It wasn't hard enough for you to hear that the person you are dating doesn't want to be monogamous. But then you slathered on the extra hurt by continuing to see him while he may be sleeping with other people. So now you're feelin like his girlfriend, but without any of the perks. Not even sex. What kind of weird science experiment are you doin with your emotions? Don't get me wrong, Madame Curie--I know it's nice to have companionship and wake up with somebody that you really like, but that's what pets are for. Pets are God's way of sayin, 'Don't lower the bar because you're lonely.' Clearly you know yourself well enough to know that you aren't cool with sharing your man, and by the way... you shouldn't be cool with it. You deserve a boyfriend of your very own who you feel safe enough to have sex with.

Greg's explanation:

The old-fashioned idea is that women withhold sex when they want power. It seems like men can play that game too. Why buy the cow when you can get the intimacy for free? Oh, it's so simple. If a guy is happy lying around in bed with eating cookies and watching old movies, and he's not gay, then he's just not that into you.

Chapters also end with a lovely bit of ego boosting and encouragement:

What You Should Have Learned in This Chapter

• An excuse is a polite rejection. Men are not afraid of 'ruining the friendship.'
• Don't get tricked into asking him out. If he likes you, he'll do the asking.
• If you can find him, then he can find you. If he wants to find you, he will.
• Just because you like to lead doesn't mean he wants to dance. Some traditions are born of nature and last through time for a reason.
• 'Hey, let's meet at so-and-so's party/any bar/friend's house' is not a date. Even if you live in New York.
• Men don't forget how much they like you. So put down the phone.
• You are good enough to be asked out.

So the point here Men is BEWARE! This book is out there and will be consumed by a woman you're seeing soon. This book is targted at a particular group of women those with ticking clocks. The purpose being to focus a woman like a laser at the first guy she can marry and make a daddy as soon as possible. The quality of the relationship takes second seat here. We all know that a quality relationship will not be apparent in two weeks. It should also be pointed out that the woman as well as the man is equally responsible for cultivating the relationship from the beginning. The flavor we get from this book is the same as Internet dating. Picking a 'product' from a shelf and looking it over, but putting it back if the slightest discomfort appears. People are NOT products. Relationships are not easy. If you want a quality long-term relationship then communicate and work at it.

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