5 Things Guys Say and What They Might Actually Mean

According to conventional wisdom, women are complicated and indirect when communicating with their boyfriends, often making it difficult to interpret what they mean. Men, on the other hand, are stereotyped as being straightforward, meaning exactly what they say. But this is definitely not true in all cases. A lot of guys are prone to being manipulative, saying things that seem sincere on the surface, but their intentions aren’t always good. As a result, it is important to dig deeper to determine what he actually means so that you know what you’re getting yourself into.

1. When he says he just wants you to be happy

If you’re getting a lot of “I just want you to be happy,” you need to ask yourself if his deeds are matching his words. It’s common for guys to say this because the expression sounds sweet and they want to convince you that they really mean it, but these can often be empty words. If he is doing the things that actually bring joy to your life—surprising you with little gifts, taking you out for a picnic on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, providing you with emotional support when times are tough—there’s no reason to doubt his intentions. But if he blurts this out after you’ve hooked up for the first time and it’s early in the relationship, he’s either trying too hard or is hoping to get some more action before moving on from you.