Home	About Dr. Michele Novotni		Articles	Events	Services	Blog	Contact
Opening Doors to New Possibilities

Article Categories Advocacy Communication Education Practical tips Travel tips Q & A for Adults Q & A for Children Q & A for Teens Relationship Articles For Men For Women Workplace Issues

The Guy’s Guide to Deciphering a Date

by Michele Novotni, Ph.D.

When you’re driving it’s easy to know whether you’re supposed to go, proceed with caution or stop. Wouldn’t it be great if signs were that easy to see when it comes to women? If she’s interested, you get a green light. Not sure yet? Yellow. If it were a definite "no," a red light would let you know loud and clear that it just isn’t going to happen.

Actually, women do send signals to let you know how they feel about you. You can learn to decipher any date by listening to both her words and her body language. Here, we color-code their communications for you:

Verbal signals

• Statements like, “I really enjoy spending time with you;” “Perhaps we can get together again;” “You are very sweet/ kind/thoughtful…” or “Here’s my phone number.”
• Attempts to reschedule or develop an alternate plan if unable to get together.
• Asks many questions about you.

Nonverbal

• Actively engages in eye contact along with open body language, smiles and perhaps even blushing.
• Stays when you approach and might even move to be closer to you.
• Dresses well when she knows she will be seeing you.
• Looks interested when you talk.
• Laughs at your jokes.

Verbal signals

• Statements like “Let me check my schedule and I’ll get back to you.”
• Some time frame given or the possibility of attempt to reschedule if unable to get together.
• Asks a few questions about you.

Nonverbal

• Engages in eye contact, and smiles at times but gives mixed body language.
• Stays when you approach.
• Looks somewhat engaged in conversation with you.
• Some special attention to appearance when she knows she will see you.
• Seems upset when you make plans to go out with someone else.
• Sometimes smiles at your jokes.

Verbal signals

• Statements like “I’ll get back to you,” or “perhaps another time;” “Let’s just be friends;” “I don’t want dating to get in the way of our relationship.”
• No back up or alternate plans or time frames given if unable to get together.
• Asks very few questions about you.

Nonverbal

• Avoids or has limited eye contact, few smiles and closed body position. Frequently checks her watch or the clock.
• Seems to leave quickly when you approach.
• No special attention to appearance if she knows she will see you.
• Looks annoyed at your jokes.

Learning to read someone’s signals helps you minimize rejection and spend your energy on positive relationships. And don’t worry — if she seems to be blinking yellow, you can always go back to the old grade school standby and ask your friend to ask her friend if she likes you.

Michele Novotni, Ph.D., is a psychologist and coach in private practice in Wayne, Pennsylvania.

This article is published by permission from ADDitude Magazine All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. Subscribe to ADDitude online or via toll-free phone 888-762-8475.