Yeah, Dutch Lover and DelusionsofNormality above are both right. Women are built differently both hormally and evolutionarily. We're still the main nurturers and child-rearers in society, and our genes and hormones set us up to bond with a mate in a secure and lasting way so we can create an environment in which we can raise offspring successfully. The chief "bonding" hormone, and it bonds us both to our mates and to our babies, is called oxytocin. We release it when we have sex and when we give birth to and breast-feed babies. That's one of the chief ways we attach to both partners and to our babies.

Men secrete oxytocin, too, but not nearly to the degree women do. As Delusions alluded to above, guys' genetic destiny is to "pollenate" as many flowers as they can and spread their seed as widely as possible. In theory, the result of their dissemination is a greater likelihood of more offspring, stronger perpetuation of their genes. Anyway, it's that testosterone-driven urge to spread their seed that makes it a whole lot easier for them to have fast, emotionally disconnected hookups.

That's why, Gabee, it often pays to play hard-to-get when you're a female, assuming you want a lasting relationship. One of the things that keeps guys coming back is the chase, the pursuit. Once they've made their conquest, they're off on a different chase. If you meet someone and like him and let an actual relationship develop before you hit the sack with him, that'll give him a chance to develop the level of bonding he's capable of, and the fact that you're holding out on him will keep him engaged in the pursuit of you.