It's a question asked of me quite often. In the rough-and-tumble that is the dating world, do you stand out if you actually care less? Well, that depends on the people we're dealing with. Take a blonde bombshell who gets asked out all the time, with guys buying her flowers and candy left and right. Then, out of nowhere comes an attractive guy who isn't swooning over her. Though friendly, he treats her as he would any other woman he meets. She doesn't know for sure whether he's interested in her -- something she, quite frankly, is unaccustomed to -- and that piques her interest. The guy is effectively posing a challenge, and she's compelled to unearth why he doesn't allow himself to be made putty in her hands like all the other chumps do. That being said, giving off a more non-chalant vibe might work when the target is very attractive and has no shortage of options to choose from. Some people perceive those who give them the cold shoulder to...

Below are three awesome-sounding words you may never have heard or used in your life: First is esoteric , which means something that is intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest. Terms, procedures, and processes specific to a field you have little to no knowledge of or experience in can certainly seem esoteric. Nuclear physics is probably esoteric to a carpenter. Statistics like earned run average and walks plus hits per inning pitched are probably esoteric to those who don't give a lick about baseball. The other two words, arcane and recondite , essentially mean the same thing and serve as synonyms for esoteric. Common words that may be used in lieu of esoteric, arcane, and recondite include mysterious, secret, and obscure. Had you heard or used any of these words before? Which one sounds coolest to you? What's an example of something you'd consider esoteric, arcane, or recondite?

If there's one thing that leads a relationship down the road to ruin, it's when someone assumes that whatever they do -- no matter how selfish or heartless -- will be forgiven and forgotten, and that his or partner will always be there to receive them with open arms. My girlfriend in high school learned this the hard way. She was as flaky as can be, telling me one minute that she wasn't ready for something serious and reeling me back in the next with hugs and tender messages. Well, she was completely blindsided by my decision to end the relationship only a few months after we began dating. I just couldn't stand the games anymore, and I knew I could do better. I was then on my way to college, where a bountiful crop of single women awaited me. I will admit that I probably asked for it. I was a bit of a pushover in those days, virtually worshiping the ground whichever girl I was interested in walked on. A similar situation played out with another girl I dated a few...

Are you attracted to mysterious men or women, or do you prefer people who leave nothing to the imagination? As someone who tends to keep to himself in public, I've been told by various women that I can be rather mysterious. I'd like to think that that can be an asset on the dating front, but not everyone is drawn to enigmatic individuals. Those who are like the challenge of "figuring out" the other person, and are drawn to the prospect of getting someone to come out of his or her shell. Those who don't might feel it's akin to playing a game and may even dismiss the mysterious person as stuck-up or antisocial. I think there has to be a balance. You can't be so mysterious that no one knows anything about you other than your gender and physical features. However, voicing everything and anything about yourself leaves nothing to the imagination -- you're like an open book. I think keeping a little mystery works in the dating arena; however, once you...