It’s hard enough to get friends together for dinner now that we’re out of college and all leading separate lives. I’ve already accepted that being single means I’m usually the one driving to their neck of the woods, and I’m okay tagging along during Saturday errands if that’s all the time they can squeeze into their busy schedule. When I’m dating someone new, it’s often difficult for us to sync up our timetables because I’m not sure what a typical day/week/season means for him. That being said, sometimes I can’t tell if he’s just full of shit.

I’ve gotten a bunch of excuses before in dating. I’m talking about the line given when they need to postpone the date for __________ (you can fill that blank with anything you like). I’ve never been officially been stood up before and I’d like to keep it that way, but there’s been a whole lot of gray area:

• My company found out today that we lost $$$$, I have to stay late for work. I’m a workaholic. I’ve stayed on the clock until nearly midnight prepping files for a printer on the east coast. I know if it was the other way around, I don’t want lip service from him about me staying late for my job.

• My mom is going through a trial separation and I have to help her move tonight. This one was a toughie. I’m close with my family. If I got a call like this, I’d drop everything at a moment’s notice and help move boxes in the middle of the night too. However, I’d like to believe that we’re close enough and I might see this one coming…

• Gotta take a raincheck, I’m finishing a game of poker with the boys. While this was probably true, I’m not going to lie, this one was lame. I put it on par with girls saying, “Sorry, I’m washing my hair.” Ouch.

• I have strep throat. Dood. I mean wtf?!? Can’t you come up with something more creative? If you don’t want to see me just effing say so…but I guess he actually couldn’t say anything because he had strep.

• I’m in the hospital. This was said by same boy above. Crap. He was telling the truth.

Honestly, I’m only going to half believe any words coming out of his mouth in this situation. Ultimately, whether the excuse is true or false, I don’t get to see him as planned and that kinda bums me out a little. I care what he does after giving me the excuse. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll reschedule immediately — in the same phone call.