The Complete Idiot's Guide To Talking To Women

Since time immemorial— which is to say it's been going on for such a long time that nobody can remember a time before it — women have been asking men trick questions, and men have been stupidly falling for it time and time after bloody again.Some examples...

Does this make me look fat?

The textbook classic. If you've never heard this one then you've never dated a girl-next-door type a supermodel anyone.

What you are thinking...

What you can actually say...

Does this suit make me look bald? It's a pair of pants, not a reality-reversal field. Nonsense, the material is what holds the fat in. No, the visible light spectrum makes you look fat. Hmmm... let me jog around you a few times to take a look. See you in 20. No, but just in case we should ask a salesperson about the tensile strength of that fabric. No, it's that other dress that makes you look fat. Hey! That dress actually does make you look thin! Buy that! Do I look dumb in this shirt? No, no, no, turn around. There. Now you look fat. Well, no. Not all of you. Only certain parts of you. I can't see. Come out from behind that fat woman and I'll tell you. Not fat, but the massive amounts of fur make you look like a very angry bear. Phat? Word. Let me just step back and fit it all in.

No, of course not. You look beautiful. It looks beautiful. I love you just the way you are. (edited after field testing) What I think isn't as important as loving yourself for who you are. (repealed) Let's have salad for lunch. (repealed)

The camera adds ten pounds, doesn't it?

I know I'm overweight but in serious denial. Deny with me.

What you are thinking...

What you can actually say...

That's an old wives' tale, started by old, fat wives. Don't test the warranty return policy — Kodak would disagree with you. It's not a hardware problem, it's a software problem. Pictures don't lie (except on VFP) Don't shoot the messenger. That daily bucket of Cheetos might have had something to do with it. Let's see... add 10 pounds for the Ice_cream_truck" , 10 pounds for the "extra crispy recipe" from KFC, 10 pounds for your daily double latte with triple sugar and triple cream, 10 pounds for your chocolate addiction, ...eh... what are we up to now? I think I'm still 30 pounds short somewhere. The 10 pounds was there before I took the picture, and unfortunately, is still here now. And then some. You need to lose a lot more than 10 pounds to look thin. How many cameras were used to take this picture?

Not to you, baby. Oh (name), you're always your own worst critic. You look beautiful. The more the merrier. (repealed) The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'. (Oh, bad! Very bad. Don't go there.) I love you just the way you are. (saying less is usually more)

Do you love me?

Here's a noose. Try it on for size.

What you are thinking...

What you can actually say...

Like steak dinners and football? More than football? Usually. Only when things are going into your mouth, not coming out. Define love. I've slept in my car before. It's reasonably comfortable if I fold my pants into a makeshift pillow. Damn. Busted. I wonder what Angela is doing tonight?

You're perfect for me. (sweet, but actually non-committal) You're everything I ever wanted. (at least until something better comes along) I can't imagine not having you in my life. (i.e. "I feel trapped!" but it'll sound good to her) Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... ...yes? (pauses are deadly) You are a special person in my life.(repealed) You are very important to me. (repealed) I love you. Just like I say every bloody time you ask me that stupid question. (The truth is NOT your friend.)

Do you love me for my brains or my body?

The no-win situation... pick one and she feels stupid, pick the other and she feels ugly.

What you are thinking...	What you can actually say...
Mmmmm. Shit now I'm totally done in. Is there any possible answer I can give that won't result in me getting a knee in the groin. I like your mind, I just wish it was programmable like my remote control. Body wins by default, can't choose what isn't there, right?	You're the perfect combination of both. You have everything, which is why I fell in love with you. (practice controlling your gag reflex before using this one) Those are totally independent variables.(repealed) Yes. I love you. (Make sure to emphasise the "you".)

If you could sleep with one of my friends, which one would it be?

You can't handle the truth!

What you are thinking...	What you can actually say...
I wasn't supposed to sleep with your friends? I was only supposed to sleep with one? Not like you haven't slept with my best friend before. That's a tough one. Revathy has the sweetest little a**, but Tamanna has an amazing r*** and a great attitude. Dunno. Which of 'em would sleep with me?	You're the only woman I need. (period. stop talking.) I love you. Anyway, all your friends are ugly. (Don't insult her friends.)

How many other women have you slept with?

This is a good time to practice your fake heart attack routine. Or acquire sudden-onset laryngitis.

What you are thinking...

What you can actually say...

To be honest, unlike when I'm with you, I don't get much sleep in those situations. Just to clarify, is this including your friends from the previous question? Do you have a calculator? A pen and paper would work fine too, I guess, though my math skills aren't what they used to be back when I'd only slept with as many women as I could count on both hands and both feet. Well, as many of them that I could.

I forgot them all when I met you. I love you. (Run away as quickly as you can.) Do I look like the kind of person who gets laid often? (Not something you want to advertise)

Are you listening to me?

Listening is integral to success in any relationship. Failing that, work toward creating a decent impersonation — nodding, smiling, and verbal acknowledgements like "Uh huh" and "Yeah" are a good start.

What you are thinking...

What you can actually say...

What? Crap. She's asked me something again. What was the last thing I remember her talking about? Her mother's corns? Gah! No I'm not. I'm busy. I'm always busy. And you're always talking. No. I'm listening, I just don't give a damn TOUCHDOWN!!!!

Yes. Yes, of course I am. What was that last bit again? We did say, less is more Yes, and you're right. You're completely right. Yes, and I completely agree. Uh...Fuchsia Pink? Fuchsia pink is THE answer to all the female's needs, but do not pronounce it in the form of a question. Mumbles. Then she'll ask in the form of "what was that?" then you go back at her with "Now who's not listening, huh? Now who's not listenin'?" on slightly raised voice to make a point to her that you WERE "listening". Note: This is a good way to start divorce proceedings. I love you.

Will you love me when I'm old, fat and ugly?

Wake up! This is a trick question, even the hottest broad chick in the world only sees the negative aspects of her looks. Any answer on this one is instantly interpreted as about the here and now. Always remember, removing your tongue with kitchen scissors remains the most viable response to ANY questioning.

What you are thinking...

What you can actually say...

You already are. No I already do. When I'm old I hope I can be one of those old men that somehow pull young attractive women - I wish I could pull young attractive women now. Well... you're already fat and ugly... Why the hell am I with you?

Of course I will. She'll think of you as a liar. Oh honey, that's such a long way off. Let's not talk about such depressing things.She'll think of you as a romantic liar, which is only a little better. I love you. That'll never happen to you, sweetie. All laws of physics were suspended for someone as perfect as you. (repealed after field tests revealed nobody can get past the first sentence without breaking down and laughing) Scientific note: For this question, field tests have proven that you can't actually escape it. This is a question beyond the scope of science or philosophy. Being of a scientific nature, the query requires a truthful scientific answer, but the questioner expects praise (which would be a lie in this case) in return. Thus, neither truth or falsehood will get satisfactory results. This is the ultimate question that no man can escape.

What should I wear tonight?

Careful, you may get absolutely lost and not say anything for several minutes... unless you happen to be one of those gay guys who knows every single article of clothing in a woman's closet. But then why are you dating a woman? Get out you poser.

What you are thinking...	What you can actually say...
Something naughty A towel? Actually, how about nothing? Me I DON'T BLOODY CARE!	Anything you want, you look good in anything/everything and nothing. I love you.