Can you think like your guy?: Rate your level of dude knowledge. (Quiz).

Guys and girls look at life way differently in oh-so many ways. This can be cool--after all, if every body thought the same, how boring would that be? But existing in two separate worlds can be way frustrating, especially when it comes to communicating. Do you have what it takes to see things from your BF's POV (that's point of view)? We show you how dealing with your guy buds, your crushes and even your brother can be a lot easier!

1 You're meeting Austin, your school's hottie star pitcher, for a getting-to-know-you banana spilt. You've spent the past hour trying on every pair of jeans you own--even the ones you haven't worn in years. You finally settle on your new whisker-wash flares because:

(A) they're the very latest, and what guy wouldn't be impressed by your great taste in designer threads?

(B) you like how they look the best and if they're good enough for you, they should be good enough for him.

(C) they look super broken-in, so you can pair them with an old tee--you don't want to look like you're trying too hard.

2 You and your new crush Ben are watching Moulin Rouge on DVD. The ending makes you bawl your eyes out. As you reach for another Kleenex, you catch sight of Ben, staring at the TV with his mouth hanging open. What is he thinking?

(D) they're cool but simple and, in terms of impressing a guy, that's a pretty safe bet in your book.

(A) "That was the saddest, most beautiful love story ever!"

(B) "I hope she's crying tears of joy because she absolutely loves this movie--her happiness is all I care about right now."

(C) "On what planet do people just burst into song and dance out of nowhere?"

3 Your 10-year-old brother constantly tortures you. He pinches you on the fleshy part of your arms, where it hurts most. He put a live frog in your loafer, which you discovered when you slipped your bare foot into it. And last time Mom bought your fave Tasty Kakes, he ate every last one. Why is he such a creepy, annoying little slime monster?

(D) "This movie was beyond weird, but at least there was some cool music in it."

(A) He wants attention because, inside, he's really a misunderstood, sensitive soul.

(B) Because he hates you, and he always will.

(C) Who cares? You just try to ignore him.

4 You and Joe have been friends since you were bio partners last year Dissecting frogs is, after all, a major bonding experience. Yesterday, while you guys were playing Game Boy, he confessed that he's mega-crushing on Jennifer, the gorgeous cheerleader in your English class. Joe never mentioned liking a girl before. Why now?

(D) Because boys get dorky and obnoxious at his age. He'll grow out of it...eventually.

(A) Maybe Jennifer is the love of his life. How romantic!

(B) You've always suspected that Joe had a secret crush on you. He's just trying to make you jealous.

(C) Because this is the first time he's ever liked a girl. Duh.

5 What's your BF's idea of a perfect Sunday?

(D) You're his best bud, and he wants to share all his personal stuff with you. Plus, he's probably looking for the inside scoop on what Jennifer might be thinking. Who better to ask than you?

(A) Eating a huge meal with his entire fam, and helping his mom dry the dishes.

(B) Carrying your bags as you browse the mall for new spring threads.

(C) Lying on the couch like a dead tuna, doing absolutely nothing.

6 You've been going with Michael for a month. Your birthday is coming up, and you have no idea what surprise he has planned. If you had to guess, what's he most likely got up his sleeve?

(D) Watching ESPN2 with his buds, definitely.

(A) He'll give you a red rose and a lovey-dovey poem he wrote.

(B) He'll buy that expensive charm bracelet you want, even though it'll take every dime he's got.

(C) Maybe he'll call you or something. You're not sure--you haven't known him that long.

7 Your cousin John is the best JV basketball player at his school, and you're the best on your team. So, when you visit him, you guys go one-on-one--and you beat him almost every time. Do you think it secretly bugs him?

(D) He'll take you out for something fun and cool, like bowling.

(A) Of course not! He's probably just psyched to spend time with you.

(B) Your abilities are superior--how could he do anything but admit defeat?

(C) He can't stand it. All guys think the/re better athletes.

8 Which song would your guy groove on?

(D) Some guys would get mad, but John's a great sport--always up for a rematch.

(A) "Hero" by Enrique Iglesias. The lyrics are so moving, how could he resist?

(B) Pink's "Get This Party Started." It's your fave, so he's heard it a zillion times. Now he loves it, too!

(C) "Alive" by P.O.D. All boys like loud, heavy music.

9 You're really struggling in geometry Marc sits across from you, so he sees you sweat bullets every time Teach calls you to the board. Yester- day Marc passed you a note offering to help you with some homework. Reading it, the first thought that popped into your head was:

(D) Creed's "My Sacrifice." It's mellow rock, not too hard, not too soft, so almost everybody can get behind it.

(A) "What a sweetie!"

(B) "He's crushing on me big-time."

(C) "This guy must have lost a bet."

MOSTLY A'S

(D) "How cool. I'll take him up on it and help him with history if he needs it."

DUDE AIN'T LIKE A LADY

OK, you need to make some major adjustments to your dude radar. You tend to believe guys behave like girls do--that they have similar tastes and that they're just as sensitive.

Think boys break down in a sea of tears every time they see Titanic, and that they just love going out for skim lattes and scones? When nobody's looking, they probably sigh at sunsets and blow-dry their kitten's fur 'til she looks like a sweet little fluffpot. Even guys who only seem to care about winning burping contests are secretly mushy inside, right? Well, not exactly.

Here's the truth--most guys simply don't communicate the same way girls do. You know how a lot of girls really dig sharing their innermost thoughts and like to open up about their deep-down feelings? Many guys find that difficult. Not because they're all caveboys but because, at this age, guys are emotionally less mature than girls.

Many girls make the mistake of assuming that if they keep sharing all their squishy emotions, their guy will feel comfy enough to let loose and admit how warm and fuzzy he is on the inside. Let go of that fantasy. If your guy wants to let you know what's on his mind, he'll tell ya. But prodding and cajoling him into a big sharing sesh isn't likely to get you anywhere (and will probably totally annoy him).

We certainly don't want to say all guys are emotional mutes. There are probably quite a few emotionally communicative guys out there (at least we hope so). But if the guys in your life aren't gushy, chances are they're still trying to let their feelings known--albeit in their own way. Lots of times, a guy's actions speak louder than his lack of words. The key is to look for and appreciate the small stuff. Your BF may not be able to tell you how much he cares about you but, when he blows off going to the beach with guys to cheer you on in the 200-meter freestyle relay, that's his way of telling you he's into you and cares about what's important to you.

It takes patience to understand someone who probably doesn't totally understand himself right now. Realize that most guys don't think and act the way you do. And you can't change the way he deals with his emotions-or you.

MOSTLY B'S

IT'S ALL ABOUT ME! NOT.

Here's a painful truth--a lot of girls make the mistake of thinking everything has to do with them. Your BF cruised by you in the hall and didn't say "hi"? Suddenly, you're convinced he's going to dump you some time before the dismissal bell rings. But he's probably just thinking about that free throw he missed during last night's game. Your brother forgets to tell you your crush finally called? You accuse him of trying to sabotage your love life. But he can't understand why you don't accept the fact that he's rotten at remembering anything that happened over an hour ago.

Instead of writing off incommunicative guys as jerks, step back and realize guys are people, too. They have their own opinions and problems. The key is to focus on him, not you. Like next time your brother spaces on that message, don't automatically assume his sole mission in life is to annoy you--maybe he just has a lot on his mind.

Or next time your guy looks like he's really getting into your new Enya CD, take a closer look. His head probably isn't moving to the music--more likely, he's nodding off. Try, "Hey, let's listen to some of your CDs for a change."

And take what he says straight-up. If he's quiet and says he's tired from track practice, believe he's tired from track practice--not that he's tired of you.

MOSTLY C'S

ADJUST YOUR ANTENNA

Your reception is a little fuzzy when it comes to understanding what makes guys tick. Maybe you're just not paying attention to what your guy is saying and doing...because you seem to be missing out on some details. It could be, too, that you don't have enough experience interacting with guys (which is nothing to be ashamed of), so you assume they're pretty much all clones of each other. Wrong!

Even if every guy in your world acts like Tom Green, guys are complicated human beings. Sure, some are oblivious to the little things that are significant to you, but most guys appreciate that girls are different than them and enjoy that.

OK, so they sit for hours on end in a Tony Hawk trance and are totally obsessed with certain (not so savory) bodily functions. Still, they're not exactly a whole other species, you know. They care about important issues too, just like you and your girls do.

You know how you started a drive at your school to collect cat food and litter for the local animal shelter? If you figured the boys wouldn't be into helping out, that was probably a bad call. Guys can be caring, even sentimental at times--believe it or not.

Pick up on what the guys around you are really all about. It's probably a whole lot more than the stereotypical football and babes stuff. While your best guy friend may not be as psyched to hit the Banana Republic sale at the crack of dawn, he might be into having you tell him if those khakis look great on him. Appreciate the differences, but also give guys the chance to show you they can have quite a few things in common with you, too.

MOSTLY D'S

STRAIGHT-UP SENSIBLE

You totally get the differences between guys and girls and, more importantly, you respect them! This really helps you get along with guys in a realistic way.

When it comes to BFs, you know how to express yourself--without getting pushy or mushy. You're pretty much inside his head, too. And when you don't know where he's coming from, you know how to back off and let him be who he is--without trying to pull any presto change-o stuff. And you don't sit around trying to analyze his words for some hidden meaning.

Why are you so tuned in to the guy groove? You're genuinely interested in guys for who they are. You see them as people first, dudes second. You've figured out how to deal with guys as individuals, not as intergalactic aliens. Congrats on having great guy decoding skills!