5 Things Guys Say and What They Might Actually Mean (2 of 3)

2. When he says he’s just kidding

It’s common for guys to occasionally joke around with their partner. That doesn’t necessarily have to raise flags. Indeed, good-natured teasing can be a way to bond and serves as a reminder not to take yourself so seriously. However, if every chuckle is followed by “I’m just playing,” it gives reason to pause. This is because guys will often use humor as a “safety net” to mask their true feelings. So next time he “harmlessly” ribs you about your new haircut, look him in the eyes and ask him if he’s really just joking or if there’s some truth behind his laughter. How he responds may be very telling, providing you with insight into what he’s thinking without things spiraling into a major confrontation.

3. When he says he wants to be with you

When a guy says he wants to be with you, how can you be certain it’s sincere? It all comes down to three important factors: how long you’ve been dating, how he says it, and how often he says it. If you’ve only been dating for a short period of time and he’s already saying he misses you when you aren’t together, it’s reasonable to be skeptical. Given that you hardly know each other yet, texting you out of the blue or calling you multiple times a day to express how much he wishes he could be with you at that moment could be a sign of desperation or that he just wants to get into your pants. However, if those around him are telling you he talks about you all the time, that’s a positive sign that his intentions are good. Likewise, if he devotes the time you spend together and phone calls to actually getting to know you as a person, the sincerity in his voice will be obvious, which indicates he really is interested in a serious relationship.