[Star Gazer]

This is somewhat of a random question, the result of a conversation with my hairdresser this morning.

I have had the same conversation with FOUR of my single girlfriends in the past week regarding their new "relationships" with the guys they're dating. Each one of them is afraid to ask about where the relationship is going, where they stand, etc.

Jessica* (my hairdresser) has has been on 6 proper dates with her guy in 2.5 weeks. Mary has been seeing her guy 2-3 a week (a mix between proper dates and "hanging out") for 2 months. Trisha has been seeing her guy ("hanging out at his house") about once a week for almost 3 months. And my roommate Katie has been seeing her dude (generally late at night as soon as he calls) about once a week, maybe once every 1.5-2 weeks, for about 2 months as well.

Each of these "relationships" has its own special quirk or issue that would give me a moment of pause about whether I was being led down Relationship Lane or Booty Call Alley. (Note that each of them are sleeping with the guy they're dating, and have never even so much as hinted about questioning what was going on. Given the intimate aspect of each of these relationships, I'd be going nuts if I were them!)

Each refuse to broach "the talk" with their guy. Why? "Because you know how guys are, they freak out easily. I don't want to pressure him and push him away."

But in the meantime, they're wigging out. Limiting themselves. Wondering where they are, who they're with, if the interest is still there. Talking about them incessantly. Dropping everything as soon as they call to "hang out" at 10:00 p.m. It's killing them.

So what I want to know is - are they right? Do guys freak out over "the talk," whereas girls do not? Aren't there just as many women who freak out over "relationship" talks as men? Is this really gender specific?

Does broaching "the talk" with a guy you've been dating and are intimate with really freak them out??? Or are these gals freaking out because in their guts do they really KNOW that their guy doesn't want a relationship, and they're afraid to hear the bitter truth?? I know with my Ex I was worried to bring that topic up, and in retrospect I think I was fearful because I knew regardless of what he told me (what I wanted to hear), I knew what the real truth was.

But isn't it better to know sooner, rather than later, whether or not the person you're dating sees you as relationship material, or just Ms. Right Now?

Thoughts?

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent.