Crystal Kirgiss - Whats Up with Boys?. Everything You Need to Know about Guys

To the guys in my life

Mark, Tyler, Tory, and Tate

Im a big fan of the P.S. When I write e-mails or letters, I often get to the end and realize Ive forgotten to include an important piece of information. Or I think of one last thing I want to say before hitting the send button or before sealing the envelope. This P.S. is at the front of this book because it has those last-minute important things that you must know, but you must know them before you read anything else. Lots of people put this kind of stuff in an introduction, but since so many people skip introductions, Im going to put it in a P.S. and hope that people are curious enough to read it before skipping to chapter 1.

First, a little about me. I have three teenage sons. Ive been married to Mark Kirgiss for almost 20 years. Mark works for Young Life, an organization that shares the gospel with teenagers, so in addition to our own three teenagers there are hundreds more with whom we spend our time. I work part-time at the local high school helping with the choirs and the musicals, so not only do I hang out with teenagers outside of school, I also hang out with them inside of school.

Im female (obviously), and I think females are awesome. We have been designed amazingly by God the creator, and Ive never wished that Id been born a boy instead.

I am surrounded by males. My husband, my sons, and our pet bird outnumber me in a huge way. I feel the same way about males as I do about females. They are awesome. Theyve been designed amazingly by God the creator, and I hope that guys never wish theyd been born girls instead.

Im a big fan of girls. Im a big fan of guys. And thats why this book existsbecause I want all girls to be fans of guys. I think if girls understood guys a little bit better, that would be possible.

As you read this book, be aware of the fact that it often speaks in general terms. In other words, most of these things are true for most guys and girls, but not all of these things are true for all guys and girls.

Humans are unique individuals. No two are alike. But there are some things that are generally true for most girls and other things that are generally true for most guys. Throughout the chapters dont ignore the parts that dont seem to apply to you because they will apply to someone you know. And dont judge people by how closely they fit the typical male/female profile. For example, a lot of guys excel at sports. But some dont. It would be a grave mistake for you to view the non-athletic guys as somehow less male than the athletic guys. In the same way, a lot of girls are talkative. They talk with their friends at every available opportunity. But some dont. It you know a girlor if you yourselfarent very talkative, dont assume that your brain is somehow less female than those who are ultrachatty.

Every person is made just the way God intended him or her to be. No guy is exactly like any other guy. No girl is exactly like any other girl. But in general most guys have some common characteristics, and in general most girls have some common characteristics.

So flip the page and start reading about why boys are the way they are. Youll see that its not supercomplicated, but neither is it as simple as that old saying, Boys will be boys.

Crystal

Why they dont like to bathe. Why they dont like to shave. Why they say they worry about their looks but dont do any of the above.

Liz, 15

How they can get ready in two minutes and look great. Why theyre not attached to their friends like girls are. Why their lives revolve around cars.

Ruby, 17

Why they know NOTHING about girls. Why they act like tough guys. Why they dont tell people how they feel.

Sarah, 15

Why they think just because they can grow facial hair, they should. Their ability to eat everything in the world and not gain weight. Why they think just because Im a girl I cant be a marksman on the rifle range.

Kelley, 17

How they can always do better than girls. How they are allowed to get mad at girls but not vice-versa. How they care about something for a good five minutes, tops.

Melissa, 16

Why they beat each other up and then the next minute theyre best friends. Why they have to have farting contests to impress each other. Why they drive with their seat reclined way back.

Amy, 16

Why they act so immature. Why they belch in public. Why they are so rude sometimes.

Samantha, 16

Why they are hairy. Why they cant be nicer. Why they are so fascinated with getting dirty.

Kari, 16

Why they dont look at you when they talk. Why they grunt. Why they wont clean up.

Paula, 16

How they can get ready in three minutes. Why they always laugh at girls. Why they always hit each other.

Brittany, 16

Why they always have to win. How they generally love danger. Why they dont just say what theyre feeling.

Cherline, 16

Why they always hit each other. Why theyre always mean to each other. Why they constantly goof off.

Rose, 15

Why they are strange. Why they are so much taller than me. Why they dont express their feelings.

Marie, 17

The way they are indecisive. They way they laugh when nothing is funny. The way they complain about girls.

Jennifer, 16

Why they always make noises. Why they freak out over emotional stuff. Why they talk about weird things.

Jessica, 16

Why they cant dress themselves neatly. Why they spend hours washing their cars but not their hair. Why they dont ever have an opinion.

Lisa, 16

You think they like you, but the next day theyre like whatever. Baggy Skater boy pants. How theyre always worrying about their hair.

Lizzy, 11

The way they act. They way they dress. They way they eat.

Allie, 12