The evening thus far was successful, he thought. They had an amazing conversation over a romantic dinner and she seemed to enjoy herself.
At least he thought she did until she said one phrase: "You are such an amazing guy, we are going to become great friends."
In her mind the comment was meant to be a compliment, but to the male ego it is the biggest kick in the face.
Students agree that just about everyone has hurt someone's ego.
"Yes, but not on purpose," said Katy Ashley, senior in medical technology.
People's feelings get hurt.
The question that should be focused on is: what bruises egos?
A study done by CNN.com found things that men are sensitive to.
Hot button issues such as "insulting his job, pointing out the gut and buying him clothes."
James Robert Dearman, freshman in forestry engineering, can vouch for these claims.
"It gets on my nerves when girls don't accept chivalry," Dearman said.
He said when a guy wants to pay for dinner on a date, it's not because he doesn't think she can do it for herself, but because he loves and cares about her.
Physical appearances are also a touchy subject for guy's egos.
"My girlfriend is always trying to pluck my eyebrows," said Travis Treece, senior in forestry. "It really bothers me."
Women are hurt by comments toward their physical appearance and their sense of humor.
"One time a guy told me I was not funny and that I shouldn't try to be," said Laura Beth Fraley, freshman in Spanish. "It really hurt my ego."
Jim Brinkerhoff, the campus minister and pre-marital counselor at the Auburn Christian Student Center, deals with situations between student couples often.
"First off, when feelings are hurt it is because people do not feel respected," Brinkerhoff said. "We identify ourselves with things such as, careers, hobbies, etc. -- we are what we do. When disapproving comments are made about those things we feel attacked and that our identity is being threatened or questioned."
Another issue that causes conflict between men and women is that they are just different, physiologically and psychologically.
"My ego was bruised when a girl told me that she didn't get me," said Lucas Orr, senior in biomedical sciences. "What's not to get?"
Obviously, egos are going to get hurt at one point or another.
"The antidote for ego bruising is this, our society must realize there is a respect issue on our hands, and we must make a conscious effort daily to respect those around us by controlling our words," Brinkerhoff said.
So the next time egos are bruised, just remember: respect is key.
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