A MAN instinctively knows when a woman says ‘It’s nothing’, she means ‘It’s something’. But what really matters is the response that follows.
Say ‘Okay’ and forget about it
Very bad call. Acknowledging the problem yet showing little interest about something you’ve just been told is ‘nothing’ is totally the wrong thing to do. Make a big cup of coffee, psychologically steel yourself and take an hour or so slowly finding out what the problem is.
Talk about how you’re feeling instead
A woman initially refusing to explain her feelings is not a cue for a man to waffle on about the diversion he had to take on the way home because of roadworks.
Zone out
Very risky. You might get away with pretending not to hear ‘It’s nothing’, but if you blank the follow-up ‘I said I don’t want to talk about it’, you’re in a whole world of trouble, and will have to keep up the pretence of zoning out for the rest of your soon-to-be-ended relationship.
Message her best friend to ask
Only ever to be used for gift ideas. Never use this option to determine the root of a problem, as you will become caught up in a problem now involving two women. You could ask her best friend to not mention it, but that won’t work.
Distraction
Completely change the subject, for example ‘I wonder what the new James Bond film will be like?’ However a high-risk tactic, and something you should only attempt if you’re supremely confident, or most likely, a total coward.
