10 Things You Do that Make Him Think You Don't Care

You don't intend to hurt your guy, but a lot of seemingly NBD behavior can seriously tank his mood. Here, real men open up about the stuff you do that makes them cringe. By Anna Davies, REDBOOK.

Handing over a mile-long to-do list
"My wife and I have been married for 10 years, but when she writes me a list of errands I feel like I'm just some hired helper. I also don't like it when she gives me directions on how to grocery shop or pick up our son from day care. I know how to do these things, and I'm happy to do them, but I'm going to do them my way!" -George, 33

Going back on a decision we made together
"I hate when my wife suddenly goes soft on something I thought we'd agreed upon as a team. Recently, she let our daughter create a Facebook account, even though we'd told her that she had to wait until her birthday. It feels unfair that I'm always turned into the bad guy." -Steve, 37

Not watching my TV show
"I love Breaking Bad so much that I usually go to a bar around the corner that broadcasts it. But my girlfriend has never come with me. I get that it's all about taste, and I don't need her to watch every week, but not joining in at all makes it seem like she doesn't care about my interests." -Dave, 37

Related: The 10 Phrases That Make Men Go Ballistic

Holding back on "I love you's"
"Recently, my wife and I had a conversation during which I mentioned that I always say "I love you" first. She hadn't even noticed! Now, she's made an effort to say it more. It sounds silly, but even though I had no doubt she loved me just as much as I love her, hearing it always makes me feel awesome." -John, 32

Getting too personal with your friends
"I understand that my girlfriend talks about private stuff with her best friends, but I still feel weird when one of them brings up something touchy from my past in front of me. I trust my girlfriend, but sometimes I wish she knew where to draw the line. Like one time, one of her friends started ribbing me about an ex of mine, which made me feel like my girlfriend was using my life story as a way to amuse her pals." -Zack, 29

Waiting for me to make the first move
"When it comes to sex, I feel like I'm always the one making the first move. I'm usually happy to do it, but I'd love for her to initiate things now and then. That way, I'd feel like she wants me as much as I want her." -Chris, 29

Related: 11 Things You Do That Make Him Crazy - and Not in a Good Way

Holding a grudge
"My ex couldn't get over this one fight we had about my meeting up with my college girlfriend without telling her. I didn't cheat, but I knew that she would freak out if she knew. And just as I expected, when she found out, she did. We talked it over, and I admitted I should have been more up-front, but we ended up breaking up because she just couldn't let it go." -Kevin, 31

Failing to plan little surprises
"I love sending flowers to a woman's office or bringing home champagne on her half birthday, and I love when she does the same for me. I don't need huge, elaborate plans or gestures-even a bar of my favorite chocolate just because is a major sign that she cares." -Andrew, 30

Related: Are Regrets and "What Ifs" Ruining Your Relationship?

Flaking out at the last minute
"I look forward to our nights out, so when she says she's not up for going to dinner or heading to my buddy's birthday with me, I feel sad. She tells me that I can go by myself, but that's not the point. I want to go with her!" -Dave, 33

Having too many GNOs
"I think it's cool when my wife and I do our own stuff, but sometimes it seems like she's seeing her best friend more than she sees me. I believe our relationship should always come first, and when she's not willing to compromise, it makes me feel like I'm just her backup plan." -Sam, 32

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