"Can I kiss you?" These words may sound sweet, but most women say the phrase is actually a bad idea. It's no secret that men and women communicate differently. What that means for men is that every once in awhile we accidentally wander into a conversational minefield and find ourselves blown to bits before we even realize what we said wrong.

To help you (and us) out, we asked real live women to put together a cheat sheet of verboten phrases and explanations so that you never again end up on the couch over a phrase as seemingly innocuous as "You look fine." (Hint: She wants to look better than "fine.")

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=473848&pid=473847&uts=1251148481
http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf
Things Never to Say to a Woman
13. You're being irrational. To a woman, words like "irrational" and "emotional" are loaded with double meanings. You're better off choosing an adjective not loaded with sexist tripwires.
Getty Images

15 Things Never to Say to a Woman

    15. What did you do to your hair? If you're asking because you don't like it, it's too late. And if you're asking because you really can't tell, pay more attention!

    Getty Images

    14. Why aren't you married? There is no right answer to this question. Either nobody's asked us, or we just don't want to be. Either way, is it any of your business?

    Bauer Griffin

    13. You're being irrational. To a woman, words like "irrational" and "emotional" are loaded with double meanings. You're better off choosing an adjective not loaded with sexist tripwires.

    Getty Images

    12. Your best friend is really hot. We know she's hot, but telling us you think so is the quickest way to never see her again.

    Bauer Griffin

    11. Can I kiss you? Don't suck all the spontaneity out of the moment by asking, just go for it! If we're not into it, we'll let you know.

    Getty Images

    10. You aren't one of those feminists, are you? You aren't one of those guys who enjoys sleeping on the couch, are you?

    Getty Images

    9. You're cute when you're mad. You are not cute when you are being patronizing!

    AP

    8. That's not the way my ex did it. You're better off just avoiding the topic of ex-girlfriends in general, unless accompanied by phrases like "vastly inferior to my current girlfriend."

    Getty Images

    7. So how old are you? Old enough to know not to ask rude questions.

    Getty Images

    6. You sound just like your mother. Are you insulting us, or our mothers? Both? Oh, it's on.

    Getty Images



Need more specific advice? Check out our guides for things never to say to these subgenres of women.




10 Things You Should Never Say to a Black Woman






10 Things You Should Never Say to an Asian Woman






10 Things You Should Never Say to a Tall Woman