Angela Philipps, Contributor

Has he used the line, "I'm not ready for a serious relationship in my life right now"?

Have you been waiting all day for your boyfriend to call? In fact, have you checked the service bars on your cellphone several times already to make sure nothing is wrong with your provider? Please, ladies, stop wasting your time.

It was a revelation for women a few years ago when some of us sat to watch a particular episode of Sex and the City. Carrie brought her boyfriend Burger along to a bar to meet the other three girls. Miranda was telling them about her date the night before and said that the guy had to wake up early in the morning for a meeting so he had gone home right after dinner, without coming back to her place first.

Burger suddenly blurts out, "Maybe he's just not that into you"! Of course, they all started protesting, except for Miranda, who was intrigued by this bold statement. She wanted to hear more, and she could hardly believe that she had spent so many years mulling over men's excuses. Now there was a simple explanation which enabled her to move swiftly on.

The problem is, some gals don't want to hear the truth; hurts, doesn't it?

Well, for those of you who don't know, soon after this, a book was written about the very subject, and although I have not read it yet, I have every intention of getting my hands on a copy after this article has been published. Surely, even I, tough cookie that I am, could do with a bit of advice.

burning hot nails

So, if he's not interested in you, why doesn't he say anything? For some unexplainable reason, a man would rather sleep on a bed of burning hot nails than tell you that he no longer wants to be with you. I'm serious! Most of my ex-boyfriends didn't have the guts to end things themselves. It was me who had to suggest it! I have even had them admit to me some time later that they would have taken months more to pluck up enough courage to do the deed!

A few weeks ago a friend of mine told me that he doesn't want to break up with his girlfriend because he thinks she'll kill herself. COME ON! I've heard this one before. Are you men out there so arrogant that you think we can't handle it? Ladies, back me up here. We'd all be dead if that were the case. WE ARE BIGGER AND BETTER THAN THAT. There is no sweeter revenge on a guy than moving on and up. So all I have to say to you men out there is, be a big boy and put the cards out on the table, plain and clear for us to see, please. We are tired of playing the guessing game, trying to figure out what exactly your words and actions signify.

And in the meantime, if men continue to be cowards, then girls, it's up to us to open our eyes and read the small print.

IF HE:

1. Is afraid to get hurt again.

2. Doesn't want to tell people you're his girlfriend.

3. Is busy.

4. Cheats on you.

5. Doesn't feel like being intimate with you right now.

6. Doesn't do what he says he's going to do.

7. Says he can't be monogamous.

8. Spends every night out with his friends only.

9. Doesn't call you.

10. Says he just wants to be friends.

THEN HE IS JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU!

angelaphilippsja@hotmail.com