Girlfriend Gaffe 8: Talking About Taboo Topics With His Friends
A man’s girlfriend has an all-access pass to the personal details of his life. But with that privilege comes responsibility. “Just because my girlfriend thinks it cute that I used to wet my bed as a kid and that her pet name for me is Sweet Potato doesn’t mean I want that insider information revealed to my buddies,” says Kevin, 28.

Relationship RX: Just as the private details of your life—for example, what you sound like in bed or the fact that you have a lifetime supply of anti-cellulite cream—aren’t appropriate for prime time, neither are his. “Before you blurt out something to his buds, quietly ask him if it’ll embarrass him,” suggests Weil. “Or trust your intuition. If you suspect he’s not going to want that piece of dirty laundry aired, don’t do it. Your instincts are usually right.”

Girlfriend Gaffe 9: Overplanning Every Detail of His Life
“It makes me crazy that my fiancée has to plan our days off months in advance,” says Tonito, 29. “She needs to know how we’re going to spend every moment we have together. Sometimes I feel like a robot—‘See movie. Visit parents. Enjoy museum.’”

Relationship RX: Guys like spontaneity. Scheduling their Friday-night plans (for the next three weeks) will suck their enthusiasm faster than you can say “I am not a control freak.”

“Men crave a sense of freedom even when they’re in a long-term committed relationship,” says Weil. “Otherwise they begin to feel trapped.” So offer up more flexible invitations, rather than demands. “Saying something like ‘I can get tickets to a show this weekend—are you into going?’ will show him that he has a choice in your perpetual planning and that he isn’t just following orders.”

Girlfriend Gaffe 10: Thinking and Talking Us Too Soon
There are certain delicate moments in every relationship that shouldn’t be rushed. Referring to yourselves as “us” rather than just “you and me” is one such case. “After just a few months, my girlfriend was letting ‘us’ and ‘we’ fly left and right. Before I knew it, she was asking things like ‘What do you think our kids would look like?’” recalls Steve, 29.

Relationship RX: It may not come as a shock that guys prefer to take their time before plunging into plural references. Rushing into talks about love or marriage makes them start dreaming of a solo life spent with their Sony PlayStation. “Don’t force your fantasies about the future on him,” says Weil. “Let him understand that you’re not in a mad rush to get to the altar.”

Signs You’ve Goofed
How do you know if your guy is secretly stewing? Watch for these telltale signs:
Text by: Betsy Stephens

He walks a step ahead. If you find yourself tagging at your boyfriend’s heels, he may be trying to lose you—at least temporarily.

He hurls a barb. Rather than openly admitting that something you said hurt or offended them, men often retaliate with a sarcastic remark.

He artfully avoids affection. Crossing his arms or clutching a pillow to his chest could be his way of shunning opportunities to snuggle with you.

He dodges the deed. Women aren’t the only ones who withhold sex when steamed.

His comic side surfaces. If your beau cleverly changes the subject or cracks a joke when you’re trying to be serious, you may have hit on a touchy subject that he’d like to sidestep.

He averts his eyes. When a guy is annoyed with your actions, he’ll usually avoid making direct eye contact.

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