It’s the age-old question that we still walk around asking after a man fails to pick up the phone following what we thought was an AMAZING date.
So, you spend the next ten days on the phone with three of your best girlfriends analyzing, contemplating, and antagonizing over what to say if he actually does decide to call ...
So, let’s go over the evening again. Here’s the situation: you went on a date with a relative stranger and had an amazing time. The conversation flowed as effortlessly as the wine, and the evening ended with a passionate goodnight kiss in front of your door. You’re aching to see him again, but now it’s Wednesday, and he hasn’t called you. Is he playing games with you? Was he involved in a tragic accident? Or is he—gulp—not interested?
Let’s go over SOME of the reasons that men don’t pick up the phone ...
1. He was trying to look cool. If he asked for your number with his buddies looking on, be forewarned—he was probably just trying to increase his status within his friend group. On Guys Night Out, he’s not looking for love; he’s looking to score your digits and win the approval of his peers, and it’s unlikely that he’ll ever follow through with you.
2. He’s really busy with . . . uh . . . stuff. Yes, it’s a terrible excuse, but sometimes guys are just too busy to call. Rare is the guy whose schedule is so jam-packed that he it is literally impossible for him to call you; the more likely situation is that he is busy pursuing other goals and doesn’t have time for a relationship.
3. He’s got issues. He might have appeared confident when he asked for your number, but if he thought you were way out of his league he may be too afraid to call you. He could have self-esteem issues or view you as too popular, good-looking, or rich for an Average Joe like him. If this is the case, just knowing that you were willing to be contacted by him is enough, and it’s unlikely that he’ll grow the cajones to call.
4. He’s not ready to move on. News flash: men fear commitment. He may have been really excited about meeting you, but it’s possible that he choked at the thought of starting another exclusive relationship. If his last relationship ended badly or he’s a confirmed bachelor, you can wait by the phone all you want but that call will never come.
So what do you do when he doesn’t call? Repeat after me: STEP AWAY FROM THE PHONE. Calling him is the worst thing you can do; it shows him that you’re willing to put up with his crap and sets the stage for more of that treatment in the future. Harness your anxious energy and go to the gym, meet up with friends, or go out to a club. Do something that will make you feel good and bring you one step closer to finding someone who knows how to pick up the phone.
