"How many times have you wondered, "What is this guy thinking!" If you want to get into a man's heart, you have to start by getting into his head. The problem is many men have a hard time being open about their thoughts and feelings.
Armed with the following five techniques, a man will feel more comfortable opening up to you, so you can develop better communication with him and, ultimately, enjoy a better relationship.
1. LET HIM KNOW YOU CARE ABOUT WHAT HE'S SAYING.
A man won't open up to you unless he knows you care. One of the best ways to convey this to him is through your body language. To show your interest, unfold your arms, lean into him and allow your eyes to meet his in a natural way.Let him know that you get what he is saying with a nod of the head or a raise of your brow.
Also, try "mirroring," which means that you absorb his body movement and convey it back to him. So if he looks stressed telling a story, you look stressed as well. It's like saying, "I feel what you are feeling. I'm putting myself in your shoes."
2. BE NONJUDGMENTAL.
No man is going to let you into his real thoughts if he senses he is going to be criticized or put down. Leave out comments like "How could you do something like that?" or "That's not something I would do."
Give him the freedom to express himself openly and honestly without judgment and you'll be surprised at all that comes out. You don't have to condone or agree with everything he says. You're simply creating an environment where he has the freedom to say it.
3. DON'T USE THE WORD "WHY."
When psychotherapists are in training, they are often taught to erase the word "why" from their vocabulary, because "why" questions frequently sound negative and critical.
When you ask a man, "Why did you do it that way?" it can come across as "Are you stupid, why on earth would you choose to do it that way?" Now he's on the defensive before you even finish the sentence. Practice using substitutes such as "Tell me more about it" instead of "Why did you do it?"
4. NEVER SAY, "WE NEED TO TALK".
Nothing makes a man want to talk less than hearing "We need to talk." It conveys the message that he's done something wrong, he's in trouble for it, and you are going to let him have it. He will shut down before the conversation starts.
The best way to bring up an important topic is to ease into it. Choose a time when you are both doing a small task together such as light cleaning or cooking, which takes the harsh focus away from "the talk" and will make him more comfortable. Remember not to approach him while he is involved in something important to him like Monday night football.
5. LEARN HOW TO REALLY LISTEN.
Chances are you always listen to him but you don't always hear him. How many times have you had something else on your mind as he is talking to you? Or maybe you are thinking about what you're going to say next instead of paying full attention.
It's important to stay in the "hear" and now with him, rather than letting your own thoughts or the outside world intrude. A man can sense when you really want to hear what he has to say -- true listening is the best way to get him talking true to you."
I slept about half way through the whole article. Which really doesn't help my cause. It is just alot of hoola baloo from a man who has too many feelings *runs and hides*. Anyway, maybe I don't know much about men. Seeing as I'm not a man it, would be insane for me to think I know anything about dudes (other than they watch alot of sports when you want to watch Grey's Anatomy and they pick their noses in public). So I hope my concerned friend helped you a little bit. I know when I finally jump into that band wagon, I shall definitely try to use number 5. Definitely.
I think i initially skipped the paragraph you were saying you had received the link from a pal...I was like "woman...what have you been smoking?...kwani when did you get such insights..."..Then I read your final paragraph and it hit me...I had to go back to the beginning to confirm what I had skipped.
ReplyDeleteTry 2 and 3
How about just do what comes to mind? kama u need to talk you need to? if he is boring, switch off and think of more important things? he is chewing miraa and I shouldnt judge??? There are no rules no nab anyone, if it was meant to be, it will be.
ReplyDelete@Winfred, that's why I sorta blanked out half way through. I was like "nig*#r you got issues". Then I nodded thoughtfully and said thanks.
ReplyDelete@Mac-key, mimi ni mtu wa mainsights kibao.And I only smoke prime substances...
Halfway through the first paragraph i began to think.. this must have been written by a man.
ReplyDeleteI think all literature and advice on how to deal with the opposite sex is hogwash. Take for example, the man in my life hates sports. If i was to follow what half of the stuff out there says about men and sports, i will be dating my pillow now. I say learn what your partner, period. No one comes with a manual.
Or go to match.com, those ones do come with an internet disclaimer :-)