Spring Break
Play-by-play dating instructions for guys
MARLEE WAXELBAUM For The Red & Black
Issue date: 2/20/07 Section: Variety
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Getting a guy to ask for directions is one thing, but apparently a bigger foe lurks in another unmentionable, do-not-pass-go category of male stubbornness: relationship self-help guides.
"Men aren't buying relationship advice," said Dr. Keith Campbell, associate professor in the University's social psychology program. "The target market is women for the big relationship books."
Enter "Opening Lines, Pinky Probes, and L-Bombs: The Girls and Sports Dating and Relationship Playbook," the newest release from authors Justin Borus and Andrew Feinstein.
The Simpsons, Dr. Phil and Gameday collide as "Opening Lines" gives commentary on everything from picking the perfect wingman to sealing the deal.
Despite attempts to camouflage their advice with sports metaphors and guidance with comics, Borus and Feinstein present a self-help book for the average guy.
"Men are interested in relationships," Campbell said, "but there isn't a mechanism for them to talk about it."
Borus and Feinstein describe how "you have a great chance of getting a girl to really like you if she describes you as a player, trouble, uninterested, cocky or insensitive. You have NO chance of getting a girl to really like you if she describes you as nice, bright, polite, funny or sensitive."
Campbell, whose previous research has dealt with the impact of narcissistic males in relationships, found such advice problematic: "Narcissism and dating works. It's effective for starting relationships but it's not good for maintaining them… In the long run, nice, bright, polite and funny is better."
"Men aren't buying relationship advice," said Dr. Keith Campbell, associate professor in the University's social psychology program. "The target market is women for the big relationship books."
Enter "Opening Lines, Pinky Probes, and L-Bombs: The Girls and Sports Dating and Relationship Playbook," the newest release from authors Justin Borus and Andrew Feinstein.
The Simpsons, Dr. Phil and Gameday collide as "Opening Lines" gives commentary on everything from picking the perfect wingman to sealing the deal.
Despite attempts to camouflage their advice with sports metaphors and guidance with comics, Borus and Feinstein present a self-help book for the average guy.
"Men are interested in relationships," Campbell said, "but there isn't a mechanism for them to talk about it."
Borus and Feinstein describe how "you have a great chance of getting a girl to really like you if she describes you as a player, trouble, uninterested, cocky or insensitive. You have NO chance of getting a girl to really like you if she describes you as nice, bright, polite, funny or sensitive."
Campbell, whose previous research has dealt with the impact of narcissistic males in relationships, found such advice problematic: "Narcissism and dating works. It's effective for starting relationships but it's not good for maintaining them… In the long run, nice, bright, polite and funny is better."
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