4 topics that totally turn him off: save these man-repellent subjects for a gabfest with your girls. (Man manual: his point of view).

* We guys love a woman who speaks her mind. Voicing your thoughts clues us in to your personality and shows off your smarts. But sometimes, the banter you bring up makes us wish you came with a mute button. What might be juicy lip service with your girlfriends--the latest on Brad and Jen, how much moola you make--can leave us bored or even defensive. So steer totally clear of the four subjects below.

money matters

Dropping hints about how much you make or sneakily trying to suss out our salary makes us cringe. Why? Because we assume a bank account with plenty of zeroes is your priority. "The kind of girl who asks what car you drive or where you vacation is the same ungrateful chick who won't thank you for dinner," says Marcus *, 29. "Also, if she starts talking money, I think she's after mine." Maybe P. Diddy doesn't mind being sized up by his Benjamins, but us Joe Nonmillionaires don't want to be judged by our paychecks (or lack thereof).

new age nonsense

Sure, we want you to be in touch with your spiritual side. But if that involves crystals or color therapy, we'd rather not hear about it. Guys get a kick out of girls who are a little kooky, but too ranch supernatural babbling will trigger our freak alarm. "When a woman goes on and on about how feng shui cleansed her apartment of bad energy I think she's a flake mad tune her out," explains Alex, 28. Besides, if rearranging furniture truly brought you peace of mind, ...