If you're losing sleep at night because your girlfriend told you to call her later, or because your date said she didn't want to come in for a nightcap, then you may want to get a peek into what women really intend when they say certain things. According to ladies between the age of 20-30, it's always about reading between the lines.

Lets journey to the land of the 'female' : a place where shoes are more important than DVDs, and a portable phone is better than a remote control. We'll go on first dates, tenth dates, into yearlong relationships, breakups, and all the other places that women venture with men. Don't worry -- this'll only hurt a bit.
 

Trying to pick her up

(Renata 24)

"I have a boyfriend."
She means: I may or may not have a boyfriend, but you don't stand a chance.

"I don't dance."
She means: I don't dance with you, but I do dance with my female friends.

"I don't drink."
She means: I'll drink whatever a guy I like gives me.

"I don't have a phone because I just moved."
She means: I have three lines, a cell and a beeper, but you can't have the number.

"I also love Jim Carrey, what's your favorite movie?"
She means: I want to know more about you, so tell me...

When she gives you negative responses, it doesn't necessarily mean that she's not interested, it just means that she's either giving you the cold shoulder out of reflex, or she's just not interested in being picked up. Don't take negativity personally; it could just mean that she's out with her friends and wants to focus on that.

But if you do score a first date, here are some things you may hear:

First dates

(Roo 27)

"Let's go somewhere quiet."
She's saying: I want to get to know you better, so let's go somewhere where we can talk.

"How do I look?"
She means: Are you good with compliments?

"I don't drink."
She means: I don't want to lose my guard and do something stupid on the first date.

"What was your last girlfriend like?"
She means: How do I compare to your last girlfriend?

"What do you look for in a girl?"
She means: Do I fit the mold?

What does she mean by, "I'm at a stressful point in my life right now?"
 

After the date

(Sohani 26)

"I actually have a big day tomorrow."
She means: I don't want action on the first date.

"My roommate is sleeping."
She means: You're not going to see me naked.

"I'm at a very stressful point of my life right now."
She means: I'm trying to let you off easy.

"I love movies... I love playing pool... I love seeing plays."
She means: I would love to do these things with you.
 

Into the relationship

(Sohani 26)

"How do I look?"
She means: Am I as pretty as when we met?

"Isn't that girl gorgeous?"
She means: Is she prettier than me?

"How many kids do you want"... or... "Where would you honeymoon with your wife?"
She means: Do you see me in your future?

"I'm not feeling so good."
She means: I would feel much better if you kept me company.

"I need to get a whole wardrobe."
She means: I want you to come shopping with me.

"I'm not mad."
She means: I'm pissed.

"Nothing is wrong."
She means: Nothing is right.

"My friend thought what you did was very rude."
She means: I thought what you did was very rude.

"That guy is so my type."
She means: I want you to dress like him and cut your hair like him.
 

Breaking up

"It's not you, it's me."
She means: It's you.

"I just want to be friends."
She means: We're going to talk for one week and only when we bump into each other after that.

"You mean a lot to me, I just don't think it's a good time right now."
She means: It'll be a good time when I'm with my next boyfriend.

"I have a lot going on in my life now."
She means: I want to concentrate on other things in my life, like my friends, work, and returning to the single scene.

"I'll call you soon."
She means: Don't call me, I'll call you maybe.

Although men seem to be from Mars and women from Venus, we do both speak the same language -- it's just a little hard to understand at times. But once you get to know the person well enough, you'll be able to find out exactly what your woman really means, rather than what she says.

(By Keshiya Leitch)