The last time I wrote here I gave my thoughts on a video that was produced by Buzzfeed. The video chronicled a woman hurt by a man who simply wasn’t honest with her. He hurt her by his lies and she felt the need to let people know that we all should be aware of the horrors of relationships beyond contracting diseases. Although I agreed with her sentiments, I also felt that it wouldn’t resonate with the men that needed to hear it. This could be for a few reasons. It could be because men might not be comfortable with being admonished in that way. It also could be because a lot of guys feel like they have heard that all before. Probably the most glaring reason is that we live in a society that perpetuates men living a certain way and women living a certain way. It’s still a fight for women to be able to define themselves how they would like to be defined.
A lot of that comes down to our behaviors as people. We are creatures of habit. Until our habits change the behaviors won’t.
Having said all this, how do men avoid the “What are we?” question? Well, let’s backtrack a bit. What is the what are we question? I know most of our readers here know, but I’ll define it anyway. “What are we?” is a question I find usually to be asked by women to men in an attempt to define the type of relationship they are currently involved in. From this you can presuppose that no concrete conversation was had where it was discussed what exactly was going on. That too can be for a myriad of reasons that I’ll leave you all to fill in the blanks for. But when “What are we?” is asked to us, we (at least when we’re younger) don’t see it coming.
In fact even if we know it might come, we don’t know when. When the question is actually asked then we look like this.
The truth is, when men are younger it’s very seldom that we’re thinking about where relationships are going. It doesn’t matter if we started having sex with women out the gate or if we started off by talking over a period of time. If you were to poll men and ask them when they were most happy, they would probably say when they’re having sex regularly and are getting asked the least amount of questions. As a matter of fact you all can twitter poll that one.
But to the men tired of being asked this question, and to the ladies who are tired of asking it, there is a cure. This cure isn’t groundbreaking. There’s no peace prize with Pops’ name on it, no. But the cure lies within maturity. It lies with a man who has come to certain realizations.
We have to be more refined as we grow older. One thing I have noticed about owning your happiness is that you have to have the ability to remove yourselves from situations that don’t benefit you. I just recently attended a panel discussion in which @itstracyg spoke about putting yourself in situations that serve you. I know I’m getting deep here, but fellas if you’re tired of this question being asked, then remove yourself from the situation.
How do you avoid the “What are we?” question? Stop wasting your time.
The only reason why you’re annoyed by that question is because it forces you in envision things in a way you don’t want to; at least not yet. The older we get the more our time becomes more valuable. You might get this question from someone whom you feel isn’t deserving so much of your time. You don’t want to hear the question? Stop seeing that person. We have to grow up and be accountable. Give women the opportunity to decide what they want to get into devoid being hurt or lied to. There’s some things I believe you can let slide due to youth and ignorance. But if there is one thing I hate to see in adults, it’s mess. Mess can be avoided the more you’re honest with yourself and those around you. The more men are transparent with women the less they will be asked this question. The more men embrace being transparent, the more they will see they will attain the happiness they seek devoid of this kind of stress.
What are your experiences with the “What Are We?” question? What would you add to this post? Are you a woman or man with experience with this scenario? Let’s get into it.
These are my words and I make no apologies.
DamnPops is a writer and podcaster on the staff at SBM: “I’m not a biter, I’m a writer for myself and others. ” Follow me on Twitter @DamnPOPS and @NegroPPodcast . Also, subscribe on iTunes to the Negro Please Podcast and visit our website here!
Pops, you hit the nail right on the head. There is no debating this. I read this somewhere but I forgot where, ” Maturity doesn’t come with age. Maturity comes when one accepts responsibility”.
Wise words right there!
I agree…this statement right here really resonates with me- “One thing I have noticed about owning your happiness is that you have to have the ability to remove yourselves from situations that don’t benefit you.”
I think men and women both need to be more accountable and take more responsibility for their actions. There are 2 sides to this, and neither is right. Definitely men need to be more honest and transparent. But I personally know women who simply Do Not Listen. The man tells them, “hey I have somebody else, I’m not really looking for anything serious right now, I’m just chillin right now, I just want something casual, I’m just dating” Whatever he says, he says it, and or shows it. Just because a man is giving you his body and some of his time, that is not an indication of an real serious commitment. Yeah hangin out sometimes and coming to his place and great sex is cool, but I knew a man was serious when he wanted to spend practically all of his free time with me, when I didn’t have a car or my car was broke down and he took me to work, and picked me up, he did my hair, he took care of me when I was sick, he conceded as much as or sometimes more than I did.
Ladies have to start listening, and paying attention. My dad, uncles and grandfather told me as a teen, “pay more attention to what a man Does, as opposed to what he says.” That advice hasn’t failed me yet. I’ve been able to steer clear of those awkward situations because I don’t assume, I don’t hear what I want to hear, I can handle the truth, and I don’t judge or “trip” and I’ve always made men comfortable enough to be completely open and honest with me.
This was great, I’m mad I’m reading this late,lol thanks.
Ha, I just don’t ask that question. When we’re “dating” we are simply getting to know one another therefore you do you and I do me, as long as there is respect when we’re on each others time. Wasting time? Its not wasting time when we’re having fun with one another and if we have sex its just that…..sex, that does not mean I’m your girl or close to becoming your girl. 3 months, 6 months,1 year I’m still dealing with representatives, therefore I’m not rushing you to be my dude nor do I need to find out what we are…I learned how to be quiet, I learned how to listen and watch. A man’s actions will tell me somewhat of how he feels about me and what we’re doing. Sometimes its not what you say, it’s how you say it and how you present it…what are we is a guaranteed question that will make men feel backed into a corner, never provide a hostile environment if you want some type of truth out of a man. Men & women have their faults when it comes to dating/relationships I just wish there was a method to the madness. Relationships can really be a blessing
You’re on point here. that question can make someone feel like they’re taking the stand lol.
The what are we question should be asked when the man starts asking for
what he wants, like sex. That way if he wants sex, he shall be forced to tell her the truth and leave her alone or lie to her in order to sleep with her.