Relationship Quiz: How to Tell If He's Really Interested

How can you tell if that guy you've been dating is actually falling for you or just fooling around? Six simple questions will tell you all you need to know.



1) When does he usually call you for a Saturday night date?



a) Two weeks in advance

b) Usually by Wednesday or Thursday

c) The day before

d) 10 minutes before he shows up



2) How often does he call you during the week?



a) Twice a day

b) 3-7 Times a week

c) Once a week

d) 10 minutes before he shows up



3) How often do you see each other?



a) Every day

b) Two or three times a week

c) Two or three times a month

d) Once a month or less





4) How often do you call him during the week?



a) Huh?

b) I never call him, or I return his calls occasionally

c) I call him a couple times a week

d) I call him every day





5) If you stopped doing all of the work in the relationship, (asking him out, calling him, etc.) how would it affect the relationship?



a) I have no idea

b) It wouldn't change a bit - he's doing most of the pursuing.

c) It would slow down considerably - I'd probably see him half as much.

d) Goodbye relationship, hello Häagen Dazs. He doesn't do much pursuing, so if I stopped calling and making dates, I'd probably would never see him again.



6) When he asks you out on a date, who pays?

a) He always pays

b) He usually pays, but I offer sometimes

c) We usually split the check

d) I usually pay for the date









How to Score:



Mostly As - This guy is either head over heels in love, or it's early in the relationship and you haven't had sex yet. Maybe both. While the eight-calls-a-day intensity is romantic at first, it can also wear you both out, and cause the relationship to prematurely crash and burn. Try taking a breather every once and a while to hang out with friends and do your own thing. You'll both appreciate the break, and trust me, absence really does make the heart grow fonder. While it's tempting to isolate yourselves in a love-cocoon, it can be damaging to the relationship long-term.



Mostly Bs - This relationship is right on track. By calling you regularly and pursuing the relationship, he's letting you know that he's definitely into you. Why? A man who is interested will continually work to progress the relationship. In other words, if he's pursuing you, he's interested. The key to success here is to stay on track. If the relationship hits a slow point, don't freak out and start pursuing him or you'll break the dynamic that is currently working so well. Stay relaxed and confident, and the relationship is sure to pick up speed again.



Mostly Cs - He's great on a date, and then you don't hear from him for weeks. His cell phone rings constantly during dinner, but you can't reach him for days. This guy probably enjoys your company, but something isn't right. He's either distracted by another relationship, work, friends, or all of the above. For some reason, he's happy to let things slide. To bring him on board, you need to stop making things so easy for him. If you don't hear from him by mid-week, make other plans (and don't break them.) Don't make yourself so available for him, stop calling him for a while, and see if he picks up the slack. He'll either step up his game, and put in the necessary effort, or he'll let you know for certain that he's not the guy for you.



Mostly Ds - I hate to break it to you darling, but this guy is exhibiting all the signs of someone who's just hanging around for the sex and free food. If you stop chasing after him, it's highly likely he'll just vaporize into thin air. Why? He's making it clear by his actions (not calling you, only calling you at the last minute) that he's waiting for something (anything!) better. (But hey, a you and a plate of fries will do if nothing more exciting comes along.) Don't fret. It's probably not you. Sometimes it doesn't matter if you're the greatest girl in the world, you're just not the girl for him. Don't waste your time on someone who doesn't want you. Spend it with someone who does. The more time you waste on Mr. Right Now, the longer it will take you to find Mr. Right. Move on!

National Breakup Month

The holidays are over and just when you thought it was safe to put down the eggnog, you might find yourself smack in the middle of one of those "We Have To Talk" talks.

While November and December are generally unlikely months for breakups (who wants to be the jerk who ruined Thanksgiving?), January is usually the biggest month of all.

Why? For some, it feels like the first chance to make a clean break after the holidays (and the last chance before Valentine's Day rolls around.) And many men say they just don't want to be on the hook for the required Valentine's Day gift/flower arrangement/romantic dinner for a girl they're not really that crazy about. For others, the breakup is part of the New Year's resolution value package that includes getting a better job, losing the love handles, and embarking on a mission to find true love.

How do you know if your sweetie is about to lower the boom? Check below for some of the warning signs your relationship might be over soon.

6 Signs You Might Be Heading for a Breakup:

1. She's no longer interested in sex, or worse, she's recently learned some new tricks

A dramatic change in sexual behavior can mean two things: Either your sweetie is trying to avoid any situation where she might have to express emotion or attachment to you, or she's getting it somewhere else. Old dogs only learn new tricks if someone is teaching them.

2. This isn't about Toilet Paper! This is about Life!

If he's picking silly fights, or there's an unusual increase in emotional distance, you've got bad news. If your guy or girl is picking stupid fights all the time, they may be trying to get you to make the first move.

3. He says, "I need some space" or "I think we should see other people."

By telling you he wants to see other people, he's not technically breaking up with you (so no big crying scene to endure) but he's given himself a way out. Of course, the second he gets a little distance, he's going to make a run for it.

4. She gives you that little pat on the back.

Watch out for this one. A person who gives you a hug while patting you on the back is indicating that they are uncomfortable with what they're doing. The bigger the pat, the more discomfort they feel. Could be the kiss in front of Aunt Mildred. Could be garlic breath. Could be you.

5. She buys a pre-paid cell phone or pager.

This is a really bad sign. Private investigators everywhere will tell you the pager purchase is a sign of impending heartbreak. Sure, it could be for work, but more likely, she's using it to get a head start on her post-you life.

6. He used to be a blue jeans kind of guy, and suddenly he's obsessed with Armani.

A person who is about to leave (or is cheating) will take greater care with his or appearance - updating his wardrobe, losing weight, working out and even changing cologne.

The good new is that if you make through to Valentine's Day, you're on the road to a long-term relationship. And if you don't? Well, just consider yourself lucky: you'll have lots of company. So, wipe away those tears, update your profile, and start your own mission to find true love. This could be your year.

Single on Valentine's Day: On the Sidelines at the Rose Parade.

No other holiday drives home the fact that you're single so much as the annual rose parade on Valentine's Day. I'm not talking about the one in California. I'm talking about the one in your office. It usually starts before you've even had that first cup of coffee to steel your nerves, and continues throughout the day. A virtual pageant of florist delivery drivers, presenting stunning bouquet after stunning bouquet at your company's reception desk. There's just no escaping it. As the morning wears on, you get that sinking feeling in your stomach....no flowers for you today. That's okay, right? You can be deliriously single and having the time of your life on February thirteenth, but by V-day, you're hoping for a Mayday Mystery Man to resuscitate the day with a massive bouquet of twenty-four long-stems. Every time you hear the elevator bell, it's like a prickly shot of hope in the arm -- followed quickly by a fast-acting dose of reality. You smile weakly as coworker after coworker teeters down the hall with oversized vases of fragrant blooms. The other women in the office will be kind and not mention the vacant space on your desk, although they're secretly relieved not to be the girl the day forgot. On every other day of your life (with the possible exception of family weddings) your love life is private. On Valentine's Day, it can feel like you're cruising around the office wearing a giant sandwich board that reads: SINGLE! WITH NO SERIOUS PROSPECTS! Sure, you'll put on a cheerful face, but you'll be using every ounce of willpower to make the day run speedier than usual just to escape the omnipresent flora. By the time you get home, you start to think. Maybe being single on Valentine's Day isn't so bad. After all, you didn't have to drive home from work with a giant, wet, prickly bouquet in your front seat, blocking your view, and dousing your car interior with smelly stem water every time you made a left turn. There are no unattainable expectations for a great night of romance to fall flat. No thigh high stockings to yank up in the ladies room because the elastic isn't doing its job, no horrifyingly tiny (and surely itchy) gifts of tramp-red lingerie. Just you, a trip to the video store and maybe extra pepperoni on your Valentine's Day feast. A nice hot bath, a cozy pair of flannel jammies and a cuddle on the couch with your dog. If you think about it, single life is pretty rosy after all.