I was in college when I read He’s Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo. For naïve little 16-year-old-me, this book was a real eye-opener. Of course, 26-year-old-me has real life experiences to back my theories too. So here goes; 5 signs indicating that the special ‘someone’ is just NOT that into you!

Call me, maybe?

Ladies, repeat after me; ‘If he likes me, he will call me often.’ Now, NEVER forget it. If you find yourself staring at your phone for hours on end, waiting for his name to flash on the screen or for him to Whatsapp you, to no avail, it’s time to take a hint. Men are determined creatures; if a guy likes you, he will go out of his way to get in touch with you. In the initial getting-to-know you phase, he is excused from getting in touch with you every day. But if you’re in a relationship and you don’t hear from him for two days in a row, then there’s only a few reasons why that is happening – a.) He was involved in a horrible accident that landed him in the hospital and he’s in a coma, b.) His close relative just died, c.) He’s just not that into you anymore!

Psst! Read MissMalini‘s piece for Elle on the NEW rules of dating.

Can you get the check, babe?

It’s 2014. You’re a self-sufficient woman and don’t need a man to buy you dinner or shoes, for that matter. You wouldn’t say no to the shoes, of course. (You must NEVER say no to free shoes, no matter where they come from.) Anyway, I’m digressing… if a guy asks you out to dinner for the first time and doesn’t pay for the meal, he is simply not into you. The ‘rules’ have changed when it comes to dating today, but some basics will always remain. Case in point, the guy ALWAYS pays on an official first date (thereafter, splitting the check is acceptable)

Say hello to Mr. Sloppy

Just like how a girl puts her best face forward when she digs a guy, a dude will look dapper for a date with the woman of his dreams too. So if you’ve spent hours getting ready for that first date and he shows up in shorts, a stained tee and sporting body odour, it’s safe to say that this is not a good sign. If he doesn’t look like the man of your dreams, he probably isn’t!

He’s flaky and you know it…

Ever looked forward to a date all day, planned your outfit after having consulted your BFF and gotten your hair and nails done only to find out that your date/boyfriend has cancelled on you? Has he done this to you more than once? There’s certainly trouble in paradise here. When a guy truly likes you, he can’t wait to see you. He’ll make sure that he shows up for your pre-decided dates, and will only cancel if there’s truly an emergency (refer to point number 1.)

Say What?

We’ve all experienced it. Guys who dig you will listen when you talk. They remember what your favourite movie is and the name of that evil bitch who bugs you at work. This attentiveness is what results in customized gifts, fine jewellery and surprise vacations. If you have rambled on in the past about how you hate going to Alibaug every other weekend and he still rocks up Saturday morning with his weekend bag packed for the same destination, then it’s time to choose another get-away partner!