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There’s a new kind of player in town, and he’s dangerous. Maybe it’s a sign of the times—men are getting married later and later in life, so players can pop up at all sorts of ages that you wouldn’t expect. Maybe it’s just the same players who’ve learned new tricks. After all, with everything we do blasted to social media today, players need to learn to be stealth. Or, at least, they need to get better at putting on a façade. Players aren’t as easy to spot as they used to be. In fact, they’re getting better at escaping the reputation of being a player. Even if a man used to be incredibly suave to your face, you could usually count on the local female population to give you some indication to stay away from that man. Now, full-blown players are roaming the streets unnoticed. And some women who they have played would even describe them as “nice.” Here are symptoms of the new, dangerous kind of player.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Image Source: Shutterstock

He’ll surprise you

He’ll show up at your work with cupcakes and a picnic blanket. And you’ll think, “Surprises are for boyfriends!” And the other women in the office will swoon. He knows it, too. He’s planting seeds. He’ll run into one of your coworkers who witnessed the act later—she’ll be so impressed by it—and he’ll start playing her. It was all a display.

Corbis

Corbis

He’ll talk to you about his dreams

Usually, only men who want to get serious with you talk to you about their dreams, fears, and aspirations—right? Nope. The new kind of player is a narcissist. He believes his dreams are so interesting and so important that anybody should be honored to be a sounding board. But he’ll talk to another woman about them tomorrow.

Source: Shutterstock

He’ll tell you he needs you

He’ll call you on a night when he is depressed or feeling hopeless and tell you he needs you—that he just wants to talk. And you’ll go out and just talk. That’s some relationship-ass behavior. But, again, he’s a narcissist. When he needs companionship and somebody to stroke his ego, he doesn’t care who it comes from. You answered your phone.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Image Source: Shutterstock

He’ll bring you around his friends

They know the deal. They’re probably the new kind of player, too. They won’t ignore you the way guys usually do when they know a woman is just passing through—they’ll treat you like his girlfriend. They’re there to help him keep playing.

Shutterstock

Shutterstock

He’ll send you mid-week notes

He won’t just show up during the weekend. Nope. He’ll send you articles that he thinks you’ll enjoy and photos that will make you laugh. Remember, he has a huge ego; he likes knowing how to push people’s buttons. He likes the idea that you’re thinking about him.

Shutterstock

Shutterstock

He’ll have some creative job

Darn. You used to be able to trust an artist. They used to all be the super sensitive types. But now, guys who wear extra tight v-necks and leather jewelry (think juiced up Johnny Depp) have started getting into the creative jobs. So don’t think your graphic designer is safe anymore. He could very well be an over-aged frat boy.

Shutterstock

Shutterstock

He won’t leave if you freak out

The old player didn’t make time for drama. If a woman tried to fight, he’d bail—fighting was for relationships. The new player, however, has learned that if he can weather some storms, he can keep a hookup going longer. So don’t think just because he stays after you get mad, that he isn’t a player.