When you shouldn't listen to a friend: they're supposed to be on your side, but sometimes "good" pals offer love advice that can mess up your relationship.(Love & Lust)

Of course you love your friends--who else would spend half an hour dissecting a text from a new man, drop everything to comfort you when you're bummed, or tell you the honest truth about how your thighs look in skinny jeans? They're probably the first people you turn to for guy advice, and while at times their words of wisdom are spot--on, occasionally, they offer dead-wrong guidance that could actually damage your love life.

It's unsettling to think that someone you trust so much could screw you over--intentionally or not. But it happens. "In many cases, the advice is well-meaning," says Joseph Weiner, MD, PhD, chief of consultation psychiatry at North Shore University Hospital, in Manhasset, New York. "Your friend can't stand to see you suffer, so she might try to alleviate your anxiety by telling you what she thinks you want to hear, even if it's not the smartest way to proceed." (Case in point: "He's probably not returning your calls because he lost his cell.")

Another possibility: "If she's feeling jealous of you or insecure, she may feed you bad advice to lead you astray, either on purpose or subconsciously," Dr. Weiner explains. Here, we look at common pieces of lame relationship advice a buddy might dish out, the reasons why she's misleading you, and the course of action you actually should follow.

CRAPPY ADVICE

"Wait at least two days to return his call. If you appear available, he won't want you."

HER MISGUIDED MOTIVATION

A pal who dishes out ridiculous dating rules is likely unsure about trusting her own instincts when it comes to men. "Sticking to a set of guidelines, even if they're cliched, makes her feel more confident," says Los Angeles psychologist Yvonne Thomas, PhD, who specializes in relationships.