5 Real Reasons Men Don't Call Back

If you and a man hit it off, trade numbers, talk for a while or trade emails, but he never seems to make the initiative to actually see you—then something else is going on. Men often have a hard time sharing the truth about their feelings with women they've just met. Maybe he's already seeing someone else.

Dating advice: Ask in a playful way, "I'm curious since you're kinda cute—are you dating anyone interesting right now?" Invite honesty from men and you'll get it. If you wait and wonder, you'll end up wasting your own time and energy.

If a man really likes you, but he is more interested in a casual encounter and senses you're not that kind of girl, he'll move on—partially out of respect for you (or his own selfish desires). In either case, the timing is off. Not calling you back was his way of letting you know where he’s at without having to say it directly.

Dating advice: In this case he's actually doing you a favor by not calling.

Have you ever given your number to a man who asked for it, all the while dreading the idea of ever talking to him again? Men do something similar with women. Sometimes men can enjoy a conversation with you but not really be interested in anything more. In this case, a man was just being polite by asking for your number.

Dating Advice: Find out what he’s really thinking during your first few dates.

He was interested in you at first, but something happened along the way to change his mind about you. Maybe he sensed some anxiety from you that creeped him out. Or maybe he sensed a bit of desperation ("You're going to call me, right?").

Dating advice: Communicating either anxiousness or desperation early on before a man knows you is a sure attraction-killer.

Yes, sometimes this really happens. Men lose your number and can't call. Unfortunately, when it does, women often fill their heads with all kinds of wild stories that only make them feel bad about themselves.

Dating advice: None of these reasons men don’t call back have anything to do with who you are as a woman. It's your choice to give these situations with men the meaning you want. If you're criticizing yourself because a guy didn't pick up the phone and call you, you’ll end up feeling more negative and overly-attached the next time you get on the phone and try to have a casual conversation with him, or another man. Men can sense that and will instantly categorize you as a woman they don't want to be around.

Christian Carter, author of the e-book “Catch Him & Keep Him” has helped more than 3 million women become more successful with men, dating and relationship through his self-help writing and speaking. He conducts seminars and workshops, and publishes his books, programs and his free newsletter through his website here.

More from YourTango:

10 Red Flags to Look for When Traveling as a Couple

How to Have the “I’m No Longer Attracted to You” Conversation

Why He Doesn’t Want to Cook With You