How to Avoid a Relationship

XX on XY: Insights into the female mind, by female writers.

You can stop panicking. Every savvy, He’s Just Not That Into You-reading woman should be able to figure out if you’re not interested in a full-blown relationship, having noted your every commitment-phobic move. To be sure you are sending the message you want to send – let’s have a good time, not a long time – show it with these telltale signs:

Don’t call
The wonders of modern technology mean that a brief, cryptic text message counts as a legitimate form of communication. But if we’re seeing each other and you’ve got us on a text only-regimen, we’ll know you’re not serious. If you were, you’d call.

Keep it once a week
It’s inevitable. If a few weeks have gone by and we’re seeing each other twice a week or more, you’re entering boyfriend world. If you want to keep it light, don’t exceed the once-per-week mark. We’ll get the picture.

Don’t hold our hands
There’s something about this gesture that’s even more intimate than sex. Indeed, you make a bold declaration to the world when you walk with our hand in yours. So if you’re not serious, keep your paws to yourselves in public.

Avoid the F-word
Do not mention the future – in relation to us – either short- or long-term. You’ll throw us off if we hear ourselves featured in your talk of upcoming happenings. This includes the seemingly innocuous, “We should go camping next weekend.” You may just be musing, but the idea that we’ve been factored into your future plans could give us ideas.

Image courtesy of helgasm!