Punch him in the nipple and shout, "STONE UP, JELLY DONUT!"

I know for a fact that nothing drives a woman to crazytown faster than asking the question," What do you want to do?" and the dude answers,"Whatever." Weak sauce.

I have a good dude friend who's passive, and it annoys the hell out of me. I'll be all, "Let's go play beer pong, talk to sexyfaces, and maybe set something on fire." And he'll shrug, forcing me to give him Death Star eyes. "Dude, either respond in the affirmative, or the negative with a counter Friday night strategy, or I'll start decapitating your play dolls, starting with Deadpool." Decisiveness is a defining masculine virtue.

But in the context of a relationship, let's abandon those gender norms I hold so dear. This isn't about him being a "man." It's about an equitable division of labor. You shouldn't feel like you're pulling more weight than your boyfriend, the dainty elf from Rivendell.

The problem here is how you approach your man. Alot of guys react defensively to criticism, like acne-plagued teenage girls. They don't hear the content, no matter how gentle it is delivered. He'll write you off as a nag, which is a cheap trick to avoid any responsibility in the matter. Outflank him, and deny him this knee-jerk tactic.

If you want your man to take the reins here or there, give him the reigns. For your next date night, tell him what you want. Don't ask. If date night is Friday, tell him Thursday that work has been grueling and to plan something Friday night. Period, end of sentence. Then affirm whatever decision he makes, even if it's going to Sizzler's and then going to the local dive for beer.

One step at a time.