Just play it cool and go to the movies. Eat some popcorn and be fun. If a guy doesn't like, you'll know. You might not accept it, but you'll definitely know.

Gal Pal says:
Sometimes we ladies get annoyed when guys invite their pals along on dates. It feels like a testosterone invasion on our "intimate moments." Shouldn't he be focusing on us instead of his bros? But for guys, as Panama points out, the dude date means he's impressed. He thinks you're cool enough to hang, so just enjoy the glow of the guy spotlight. (And hey, if it doesn't work out with him, you'll have a new dude pool to choose from!)

I told him I didn't love him. He's hurt. I'm hurt. But it's true. What now?

Reformed Player says:

Let me applaud you for doing the right thing. You were honest. The problem with the right thing is that it's not particularly sexy. No one throws parades for telling the unadorned truth. It sucks. There's a reason doing the wrong thing is so attractive. It's easy. You get to tell people what they want to hear, while getting what you want. The truth is naked and it shakes in the cold.

If you don't love the guy, you don't love him. You know what I can't stand about cowards? How they'll risk the feelings of people they know just to protect their own. You didn't do this. You broke his heart, and, in a way, yours too. It's never fun to be responsible for another person's suffering. But you don't always get to be the hero of your own little movie. Sometimes, you have to be the bad guy in some other person's movie.

Do this guy a favor and move on. Fast. Replace your heart with that of a robot. Be cold. It'll make it easier for him to move on. And, look, no one gets over something like this quickly. But fake it, and eventually, you'll start acting like you've gotten over it. Eventually, you will get over it. The sooner you start living your life, the sooner the both of you can get on with life.

Gal Pal says:
While I agree with John's band-aid breakup philosophy (the faster you rip it off, the less it hurts), I implore you to not turn into a total ice queen. You're already breaking his heart, you don't have to grind into in the earth and light it afire. At least give him the decency of a kind goodbye whereOyou praise him as an individual even as you walk away. Otherwise? I see a voodoo doll in your future.

The guy I'm into is funny, great and always lets me know what he thinks about me. Problem? He has no driver's license and no job. He's 20 years old! Should this be a deal breaker?

Mystery Man says:

 
Since it sounds like you are a shallow, vapid, materialistic person, I would agree with you that you should probably not pursue or continue a relationship with this guy. Let him be available for other people who don't care about driver's license or jobs and who would appreciate a great guy with a good sense of humor.

My sense is that your desire to see him acquire these things is a slippery slope and pretty soon you will be demanding that he make more money, drive a fancier car and probably buy you stuff as well. Spare this guy and move on to someone who will like you for your looks only, this way you will both get something out of your relationship.

Gal Pal says:
Mystery Man is turning into our resident Dr. Evil! This girl is being realistic, not materialistic. A driver's license and job aren't just "things you acquire" - they're necessary accoutrements to grownup-hood. She should leave this guy on the playground with his trike - unless she enjoys daycare dates.

My boyfriend has to travel a lot for his job. One of his newly added friends on Facebook is a girl from a city he stayed in last week. Should I be worried?

Chic Geek says:

Honestly, I can't imagine any guy would be dumb enough to cheat with a woman who is also his Facebook friend. It's all too easy for his girlfriend or wife to contact that person on Facebook. For the love of Mark Zuckerberg, you could post a message on her wall. Unless he's a complete idiot, he's not going to cheat with anyone he knows on Facebook. As my esteemed colleague John Devore often says, Facebook isn't real life. Just because he's "friends" with someone, that doesn't mean they are actually friends (or more than friends) in the real world. We shouldn't always assume the worst. Jumping to rash conclusions will put a strain on the relationship.

Talk to him, but realize that this is what you're getting into with a boyfriend who travels for work. You will worry yourself sick about every little thing because he's away from you for long periods of time. Is he in touch with you as often as he can? Is he a good boyfriend who does everything he can to make you feel comfortable with the fact that he has to travel for his job? If so, then don't sweat a new Facebook friend who is probably just Janet in marketing at the Utica branch of his company.

Gal Pal says:
This is why I never friend anyone I'm dating on Facebook. Ever. It may be the hardest thing you ever do, but your therapist will thank you.

What would be the best way to propose to someone? Something she would absolutely have to say yes to because it's just that good?

Funny Guy says:

 
No proposal is "just that good." There's no set of magical circumstances and illegally purchased fireworks that's worth contractually agreeing to bond your life to another person's because "it's just that good."

Anyone who says yes to a proposal because of the proposal itself had better be incredibly lucky or prepared for a brief and awful marriage. I say proposing is like prosecuting before a jury: if you don't already know the answer, don't ask the question. Otherwise all the mariachi singers you invited are going to feel very embarrassed for you. A truly great proposal grows naturally out of having a deep understanding of your partner, their tastes, and above all else, whether or not they are interested in marrying you.

Gal Pal says:
I beg to disagree. If a guy turned himself into Don Draper from "Mad Men" as part of his proposal, anything he said would be "just that good." My answer would be a big yesssss, indicated through drool.

My boyfriend is shy and doesn't seem very comfortable with much PDA. How should I go about trying to get him to be a little more affectionate in public?
 
Wise-Ass says:

If homey refused to touch you at all in public, I'd see your side of it, but that doesn't sound like the case. If he's doing the basics - hand-holding, an arm around you or the occasional kiss - isn't that enough? To me, PDA is like wasabi: a little goes a long way. Do you enjoy watching strangers eat each other's faces in the movie theater and rub each other's asses on the sidewalk? I don't - I want to turn a water hose on them. Some things should be private.

I can't help but wonder, though, if there's more to this than just affection. Could it be that you have a need for the relationship to be validated in public? Do you want more PDA because you like it, or because you want people to see him being affectionate to you? I wonder the same thing when people complain about their partners not validating their relationship on Facebook. Does it really matter, or are you that insecure about your relationship?

Give Shy Guy some time and space and I bet he'll warm up to the idea of being more demonstrative in public.

Gal Pal says:
Uh-oh. I'm one of those girls Carey would be hosing down. I never used to be into PDA, but I've recently discovered the delicious merits of a game of grab-ass. And OK, maybe I have a need to have my relationship validated in public. Or maybe I just have a wandering tongue. Either way, I totally want to make out with all of you at the movies this weekend.

Thanks for playing, guys and girls!