They love you, they want you, they can't live without you ... but there are some things you do that they really, really don't like. Some of these things women can't change but, in many cases, you can avoid behaviors that men dislike - at least while they're around.

They don't like being used

The men's magazine, Maxim (obviously a reliable source of scientific data!) reported that a woman will use 10 men for every one she loves. In their words, " If you lent her your car or helped her move and didn't get laid, you're one of the 10." Admit it - you've used men. You've called that guy that you know has a crush on you only because you needed someone to move your couch, or you took him to a party because you wanted to make your ex jealous.

Men aren't stupid. They may go along with being used - even in long-term relationships - but that doesn't mean they like it. Next time you're tempted to ask your guy to do something that you know you're perfectly capable of doing yourself, stop. Save the favors for when you really need them, like an emergency trip to the hospital.

They don't love your penchant for drama

Women love to get all worked up about things, whether it's a fight with a friend or problems with their car. They can get weepy over the cancellation of their favorite TV show, or devastated by the news of a bus crash 4,000 miles away. And if there's nothing to get emotional about, women will sometimes pick fights with men just to escalate the tension. Unsurprisingly, men don't understand the desire to ride a perpetual rollercoaster of highs and lows, and find it kind of psychotic. So save the grand opera for your girlfriends and give the guy a break.

They hate your clinginess

Give him some space - he may love you to death, but he loathes it when you call six times a day "just to say hi." You don't have to sit next to him holding onto his hand every time you watch television or go to a party. And you shouldn't save all of your free time just for him - or cancel on your friends when he asks you out. Men don't respect clingy, needy women, and your friends will dump you, too, if you keep ditching them for a guy.

They dislike your insecurities

Every woman is unhappy with something about her body. If he's with you, he likes your body. He may be positively mesmerized by it. So don't go on and on about how fat you feel, or how you don't like your butt, or that you wish your breasts were larger. You know that you're just expressing your insecurities, but he thinks you're fishing for compliments. Or worse, he'll agree with you. And then you'll get mad.

They can't stand the way you analyze everything

It's straight out of every sitcom you've ever seen, but it's true - women pick over every single thing with a fine-tooth comb while men, overall, are much simpler creatures. He says, "We're having chicken again?" and you say, "Why? Didn't you like the chicken I made the other night? Did you it hate and just not tell me? There was too much paprika, wasn't there? Oh god, you hate my cooking." Meanwhile, all he wanted to know was what he was getting for dinner.

Refrain from overanalyzing everything he says. Usually, he doesn't mean anything deeper than what came out of his mouth. Also - those times when he's starting off into space, and you coyly ask him what he's thinking about? He's not thinking about you. He's thinking about food, or comic books, or a three-legged dog he saw the other day outside the convenience store. And he hates it when you ask him what he's thinking about, because you're always disappointed with his answer.

Even the most beautiful woman engages in behaviors that make men grit their teeth in irritation. And, of course, there's things they do that make you crazy, too. The important thing is to be as compassionate as possible, and curtail your more annoying habits - he'll thank you.

©2006

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