PsycHacks Episode 586: What do you want to have for dinner? (no straight answers)
12 snips
Jan 9, 2026 The question of what to have for dinner reveals deeper dynamics between men and women. Conversations often serve to gather varying types of information; men focus on explicit desires while women seek relational signals. This seemingly simple query tests a man's valuation of a woman through indirect cues. The discussion highlights how thoughtful anticipation and unasked gifts can enhance feelings of value and attraction, offering insights into communication and emotional investment in relationships.
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The Familiar Dinner Conversation
- A common dinner exchange often goes: man asks, woman says "I don't know," and then asks him back.
- The man lists options and she rejects them until he suggests something she then agrees to if it matches his preference.
Men Seek Direct Information
- Men treat the question literally and aim to gather explicit information about dinner choices.
- Men expect direct answers so they can act and satisfy the stated preference quickly.
Dinner As A Value Test
- Women often use the dinner question to measure how much they matter to their partner rather than to specify food.
- The indirect exchange reveals valuation, attention, and emotional investment more reliably than direct questions.
